1964 Fender Deluxe Reverb

mkt3000 · Post by **mkt3000** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 2:19 pm

Just a quick update.... parts were ordered today. New tubes, replacement Jensen C12-Q, and a black handle. The tech's gonna supply the new pots, and we're gonna hold off on the new reverb tank for now, since... I rarely use reverb in the first place.

mkt3000 · Post by **mkt3000** » Wed May 09, 2012 12:15 am

Today I swapped out the tubes and the speaker. It sounds amazing!!! But I have a concern:

After playing through it for a few minutes, there was a fairly strong burning smell, and the chassis was hotter than it was with the old tubes. I worried and turned it off and disconnected the power.

Before I hand it over to the amp tech to repair/replace the pots, does anyone have any ideas as to what might be happening?

71Smallbox · Post by **71Smallbox** » Wed May 09, 2012 1:26 am

mkt3000 wrote:Today I swapped out the tubes and the speaker. It sounds amazing!!! But I have a concern:

After playing through it for a few minutes, there was a fairly strong burning smell, and the chassis was hotter than it was with the old tubes. I worried and turned it off and disconnected the power.

Before I hand it over to the amp tech to repair/replace the pots, does anyone have any ideas as to what might be happening?

Don't do anything further until after the tech sees it. New tubes will affect the bias and considering the age there will be component drift on many parts. Also be aware that these old tube amps are sturdy and can take a couple of minutes of impropriety and still be fine, however your tubes may not if they were redplating(running too hot). Also be aware that the fancy silkscreen logos on new tubes always smell at first.

HNB · Post by **HNB** » Wed May 09, 2012 1:30 am

Congrats! SUPER score! Hope that is able to get nailed down and ready to rock!

mkt3000 · Post by **mkt3000** » Wed May 09, 2012 9:01 pm

Amp tech he things it's combination of factors after playing for a few minutes and hearing my story.. Bias, capacitors, the previous speaker's incorrect impedance, and the transformer. I dropped it off, with the parts it "came with". He thinks it'll be about $300-350 for parts and labor to get it back in order (including taking care of the pots, adding a modern 3 prong plug to replace the 3 prong wall wart it has, and replacing the reverb tank/cables/tank bag), but until he's given it a full diagnostic he won't be sure.

HNB · Post by **HNB** » Thu May 10, 2012 12:36 am

Still money ahead in value.

mkt3000 · Post by **mkt3000** » Sat Jun 16, 2012 2:37 pm

Well, the tech got back to me a few days ago and told me what's up.

The amp is a 67 Deluxe, and it's a money pit

He showed me the chassis, and there was enough rust in there to make me think this amp was once a boat anchor. Basically almost every electrical component needed to be replaced, and at least two of the wood panels need to be replaced.

It was time to make a decision, and I made it. I traded the amp with a local luthier for a bunch of gear. He's a Fender amp nut, and he knows how to fix amps, so what's a money pit for me is a project for him that he can get done in a few weeks. And he already has a vintage reverb tank that's fully functional.

I got $300 cash (which is bit little less than what I had into it), a 1966 Silvertone Hornet in fair (but fully functional and playable) condition, a contact for a person that owns the amp/case this guitar came with, a cheap Yamaha acoustic (maybe worth $50?), a Roland BC-60 Blues Cube, and a headstock refinish/redecal for my supersonic. Definitely a weird trade, but the Roland does sound great, the Silvertone is fun, and the Yamaha is perfect for summer.

Plus, I already have another vintage Fender Tube Amp to console me - my 73 Bronco

George · Post by **George** » Sat Jun 16, 2012 5:13 pm

Well, you're certainly up on funds and had a little adventure. Great find.

71Smallbox · Post by **71Smallbox** » Tue Jun 19, 2012 2:40 pm

PICS of the Hornet please!!!