Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: rumpus on June 29, 2025, 11:25:01 am

Title: Fender Bassman AA270 rescue
Post by: rumpus on June 29, 2025, 11:25:01 am
A friend of mine who works in a charity thrift store texted me this picture of a recent donation (dropped off in the dead of night, right under the sign that says "donations only during open hours") and asked "Interested?". It took me about 10 seconds to reply "Yes, interested. Quite."

(https://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=32844.0;attach=120919;image)

My ohmmeter says it has a blown power transformer but the output transformer is good. Inside the doghouse I found:

(https://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=32844.0;attach=120921;image)

One of these puppies done made a little mess! And I'll bet the others are thinking about it.

I'll be working on cleaning it up and getting it working, a little bit at a time. I'm expecting to need to draw on the knowledge and experience of this forum!
Title: Re: Fender Bassman AA270 rescue
Post by: pdf64 on June 29, 2025, 11:35:11 am
Lucky fella!
The suggestions in the concurrent TR refurb thread may be relevant / helpful  https://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=32835.0

Have you got a light bulb limiter and a some bulbs, eg I'd probably use 40W and then 100W.
Title: Re: Fender Bassman AA270 rescue
Post by: rumpus on June 29, 2025, 11:22:11 pm
I've been following that thread with interest! Very relevant. And yes, I have a light bulb current limiter and a hoarded collection of incandescent bulbs of various wattages - I watch for those in thrift stores and garage sales.

My pictures disappeared... I'll try to get them back.
Title: Re: Fender Bassman AA270 rescue
Post by: rumpus on July 01, 2025, 08:32:17 am
I fixed the pictures on my first post. Here's one more, a view of what's inside, before any cleaning.

Judging by the shape of the chassis, this thing has lead a hard rock'n'roll life. I should take another picture showing the angles the transformers are sitting at, I'm guessing it took at least one hard fall upside down.

I haven't been able to put any time into this (rehearsing for and playing gigs are top priority). Maybe next week I can start cleaning it up so I don't need a pair of those blue gloves to work on it.  :laugh: