Wow.
These are two amazing finds. TRADE ME THAT AMP AND I WILL LOVE YOU FORVER.
NAD! 1973 Bronco Amp!
Moderated By: mods
I got it, $80 and a 20 minute drive away, since I'm in San Juan this weekend. Serial number dates it to 1979.
It sounds great, and the only issue in that end is a scratchy intensity pot. And speaking of intensity, the tremolo is more pronounced with this amp than it is with my Bronco.
The owner got the amp from his wife's grandfather, who used to repair radios and TV's, as well as played guitar. And he modded it with what appears to be a larger speaker, and added a tweeter (since disconnected).
Cosmetically, it's a 5/10. It needs at a minimum a new grille and amp badge. But I already have an extra grill ready to go, so I just need an amp badge.
And now.. pics. Cause without them, this didn't happen.
It sounds great, and the only issue in that end is a scratchy intensity pot. And speaking of intensity, the tremolo is more pronounced with this amp than it is with my Bronco.
The owner got the amp from his wife's grandfather, who used to repair radios and TV's, as well as played guitar. And he modded it with what appears to be a larger speaker, and added a tweeter (since disconnected).
Cosmetically, it's a 5/10. It needs at a minimum a new grille and amp badge. But I already have an extra grill ready to go, so I just need an amp badge.
And now.. pics. Cause without them, this didn't happen.
10 PRINT "Bite Me!"
20 GOTO 10
20 GOTO 10
And... I got a reproduction amp badge!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180984677187
Hopefully in a few weeks, she'll be looking better
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180984677187
Hopefully in a few weeks, she'll be looking better
10 PRINT "Bite Me!"
20 GOTO 10
20 GOTO 10
So... updates on the amp.
The reason the tweeter was installed was because at one point in it's life, this amp was used with something other than a guitar. Anyway, the mods were quite well done, but after they were done, at some point, no one took care of this amp for some time.
The speaker baffle is completely rotted. Merely cutting out the cloth in front to get a better look, I felt the wood coming undone. And just barely grazing the speaker with the edge of my pinky was enough to break it. The screws holding the speaker and tweeter in place were also completely rusted, and putting any force on them caused the baffle to crack, so I have given up on salvaging anything here.
So yeah, once I get a new baffle and 10" speaker, the amp should be good to go!
On the plus side, my Bronco grille fit it perfectly, so that's going on there once i get a new baffle cut.
The reason the tweeter was installed was because at one point in it's life, this amp was used with something other than a guitar. Anyway, the mods were quite well done, but after they were done, at some point, no one took care of this amp for some time.
The speaker baffle is completely rotted. Merely cutting out the cloth in front to get a better look, I felt the wood coming undone. And just barely grazing the speaker with the edge of my pinky was enough to break it. The screws holding the speaker and tweeter in place were also completely rusted, and putting any force on them caused the baffle to crack, so I have given up on salvaging anything here.
So yeah, once I get a new baffle and 10" speaker, the amp should be good to go!
On the plus side, my Bronco grille fit it perfectly, so that's going on there once i get a new baffle cut.
10 PRINT "Bite Me!"
20 GOTO 10
20 GOTO 10
In a twist of fate, I'm getting this amp back today, from the guy I sold it to. We did a massive trade, but I'm ending up with the amp, and with a Keeley+true bypassed MIJ DS-1.
I'm gonna swap out the speaker for one with the correct impedance. Did they ever make a change to these, or will it use a 4 ohm speaker like my 73 Bronco amp?
Thanks!
I'm gonna swap out the speaker for one with the correct impedance. Did they ever make a change to these, or will it use a 4 ohm speaker like my 73 Bronco amp?
Thanks!
10 PRINT "Bite Me!"
20 GOTO 10
20 GOTO 10
Scratch the speaker swap. It sounds so sweet as it is, I don't wanna mess with it. And with my Bronco, now I've got a stereo setup
Before and after. The grill and Fender badge are not correct to the year (it'd have the silver/orange grill, and the Fender logo without the tail, and 'Made In USA' instead. But I don't care - it's a sweet sounding amp.
Before and after. The grill and Fender badge are not correct to the year (it'd have the silver/orange grill, and the Fender logo without the tail, and 'Made In USA' instead. But I don't care - it's a sweet sounding amp.
10 PRINT "Bite Me!"
20 GOTO 10
20 GOTO 10