Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum
Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: Stankfut on February 08, 2011, 03:04:03 pm
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My Uncle Junior was a major musical influence on me. He couldn't read music, playing completely by ear (a skill I still haven't mastered!). When I was young, my parents would always have family and friends over on the weekend for dinner and to play games. The highlight, though, was when Junior would bring his guitar, Dobro, and harp and play. He played mostly country, which wasn't my thing at the time, but I loved to hear him go. He passed away last spring, and he is sorely missed. While sorting through his stuff, my aunt found this bevy of beauties in a closet, where they must have sat for 30 years. She was probably going to throw them out, but I rescued them! My goal is to get them back up and running, and safe!
They are all single ended practice amps, but that's okay because I really like low volume single end class A. Here's a quick rundown:
On the top left is, of course, a Kay 703-C. Everyone knows this one, 'nuff said. Bottom right is a Tempo. I've never heard of this brand before, but it has a 6AQ5, one of my personal favorite tubes. I think this amp was made in Japan. On the bottom left is Marvel. Again, I've never heard of this company. It has a 7591 and a 6” speaker. I'm not sure how that works, I would think that tube would kill the cheap speaker!
I have scratch built a couple of amps, but I have never restored one, so I am hoping with the help of the forum I can get these little guys rocking! I'll post a separate thread for each one as I start on them. First up is the Kay!
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That Marvel looks real interesting!
2 knobs, Volume and Tremolo? (left my glasses at the shop)
2 knobs usually means very straight forward circuit usually means great tone!
I'm suspecting 5F2A topology, but not necessarily.
DO BEWARE! I've seen a few of those bargain amps ran off of mains. I mean no power transformer.
That can be a dangerous thing!
Get your head wrapped completely around how a 3 prong cord is installed and how a chassis is properly earth grounded, just for safety's sake
With so many Fender and Marshall inspired amps these days, your legacy trio will likely give you a nice refreshingly different tone! I'm sure it would have made your Uncle Junior smile to know how much you appreciate them.
Did you check to see if he left me a '59 Goldtop? just saying cause like I'd pay for the shipping or whatever.
Ray
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DO BEWARE! I've seen a few of those bargain amps ran off of mains. I mean no power transformer.
That can be a dangerous thing!
Get your head wrapped completely around how a 3 prong cord is installed and how a chassis is properly earth grounded, just for safety's sake
Listen to Ray! It's not worth it to be in a rush, your Uncle Junior, when he had those amps, things were looked at a little differently then what we know/do now, when it came to electric powered gizzmos.
PRR has wrote/posted about this many times.
Stay safe, there's ways around this, wait untill you figure/learn how! :wink:
The guys here will help you with this, good to learn this (safty) too.
Brad :smiley: