I am still shocked to see how “techs” service historical and extremely valuable amps like this. Luckily I have the parts, knowledge and experience to restore vintage amps like this, but it still saddens me to see the butchery done to them. I don’t understand why owners do not seek out the right people to service these vs just letting any shop work on them. This would not happen to antique violins or cars, or even people, would we not all find a specialist doctor if we were sick or aging?
Anyway, this particular amp must have been played a lot in its 67 years of existence. It is the first tweed that I have seen that every one of the yellow Astron coupling caps was leaking DC voltage beyond usability. Because of this amp’s extreme value, sometimes we can excuse a tiny bit of leakage, but not one of them could be used safely. The coupling caps are critical to the sound of an amp, putting modern caps in this is NOT an option. I have custom caps made for our Alessandro amps and they have the vintage tone, so when restoring a vintage amp, they sound authentic. There is a lot to being a specialist, including the passion and reverence for vintage.
5 months agostevekendallguitars
I think you are right. (But I think you and others have better hearing than me. ) I think that good human ears may be able to detect things that measurements cannot (yet). I would dearly love to see your ideas about the importance of capacitors proven in a “double blind” test. Doesn’t have to be ‘live’ - video would be great, with independent reputable oversight to ensure fair play. That would add a huge weight of objectivity to those ideas. I’ve never seen such tests done, even for easy items such as hifi interconnects, despite the value it would give to the manufacturers of those components. It doesn’t make sense to me. It’s like going to a doctor and receiving medication without first having a diagnosis.
6 months agosidney.whelan.3
I have a Deluxe Reverb that you reconditioned. I bought it at TR Crandall right before the pandemic. I get a lot of mileage out of it!
6 months agotamajaiparr
Hey, how do you get the knowledge to restore these ? Is to just basic electronics along with soldering and replacing resistors and caps ?
6 months agomanof_lamangia
The world of music lovers & those who care about vintage amps is very fortunate to have your craftsmanship to help preserve the legacy of these beautiful amps
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