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Post subject: Fender Pro Amp 1961 - thoughts?
Posted: Sun May 22, 2016 5:36 pm
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Hi Guys,

Just wondering what are the opinions about this amp, as I've never played one?

How these compare to the BF amps, and how's the market value?

There is one available about 6 hours drive from me, and herewith the photos.

Any help is much appreciated.

NT

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:mrgreen:


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Post subject: Re: Fender Pro Amp 1961 - thoughts?
Posted: Sun May 22, 2016 6:06 pm
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From January of 1961. Aside from the modern bypass caps and screen-grid resistors, it seems to be in original condition right down to the mustard-yellow Astrons. Being a brownface, the tone stacks are configured a bit differently from an AB763 variant. Three of the preamp tubes are dedicated to the harmonic tremolo circuit, Leo's best design.

Market value would vary with the overall cosmetic condition and whether or not the speaker is original. A Jensen could be possible but a more likely scenario is the Oxford 15M3 or 15M8. Thus, ballparking the amp's worth puts it somewhere in the $1850 to $2350 range. Any exterior pics available?

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Fender Pro Amp 1961 - thoughts?
Posted: Sun May 22, 2016 6:09 pm
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NT...You should be currently breaking the speed limit to go get this amp. The brownfaces do have some great tones. The Pro is certainly a great amp and relatively rare.

The brownface amps have a higher resale value than the blackface amps. This one appears from the photos to have been serviced along the way. More photos would certainly help to determine its value.

T2

Edit: Beat to the punch once again by Arjay!

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Post subject: Re: Fender Pro Amp 1961 - thoughts?
Posted: Sun May 22, 2016 7:10 pm
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Thanks guys, the exterior looks fine to me for its age ..

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Post subject: Re: Fender Pro Amp 1961 - thoughts?
Posted: Sun May 22, 2016 11:00 pm
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That's a pretty cherry specimen IMO.

I wouldn't snooze too long -- I'm sure there's more interested parties than just you.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Fender Pro Amp 1961 - thoughts?
Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 1:56 am
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Thanks, apart for not having the reverb tranny, what other transformers should be in this model?


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Post subject: Re: Fender Pro Amp 1961 - thoughts?
Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 2:19 am
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Original iron......

P/T - 125P7A
O/T - 125A7A
Choke - 125C1A

If the amp was built as a factory export model, the power tranny should carry a 68249 P/N.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Fender Pro Amp 1961 - thoughts?
Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 6:54 am
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Nikola, looks real nice. 2-tube oscillator for the tremolo/vibrato section. I have the 6G5-A, with three tube. Both have no reverb. I put a JBL D130F into mine. I have 5881 output tubes. Mine have a very nice bass-midrange tone. Warm and brownish. Warm highs, not as bright sounding as the BF Pro, IMHO.

The 7025 phase inverter section tames the highs, IMHO. Compared to 12AT7 PI sections.

How is the main PSU filter section caps? Have any photos of this?
Hope you get it & the Pro ends up better a great amp for you! :)

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Post subject: Re: Fender Pro Amp 1961 - thoughts?
Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 7:19 am
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Nikola,

I redid the main PSU with Sprague ATOM (this was about 6 years ago, now). Also, bypass and bias supply with ATOMS.

This amp has NO BIAS or BALANCE pot. So, you need to check the (-) voltage at branch point to the output tube grids. It must be around -55VDC & STEADY for you to get good idle bias. Recheck the actual idle looking not only for in-range values, but steady numbers.

Mine wavered a tad. I had to tighten the sockets and do a little re-soldering on the bias circuit. Good Tungsol 5881 are just to $$$ to let them go ballistic. The amp you are looking at has 6L6GC output tubes? You can bias these a bit hotter than 5881.

Image

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The 1mfd Dynami-CAP replaces a hard to find 2mfd bypass cap on the last oscillator tube in the circuit. The 6G5 does not have this tube or cap.

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Post subject: Re: Fender Pro Amp 1961 - thoughts?
Posted: Tue May 24, 2016 3:30 am
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Thank you for being so helpful guys!

A few more photos ..

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Post subject: Re: Fender Pro Amp 1961 - thoughts?
Posted: Tue May 24, 2016 7:16 am
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Nikola, looks OEM. The manufacturer's info will be on side (paper) of the output tranny. But, by the looks of it, prolly is correct iron. Last years of the bell-housing-less OPT made by Schumacher and used by Fender.

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z46 ... uiyglr.jpg

Odd how the PT doesn't have the date stamped onto the bell housing. May also be on piece of paper on the edge.


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Post subject: Re: Fender Pro Amp 1961 - thoughts?
Posted: Tue May 24, 2016 4:32 pm
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The photo is bad, that's why (I guess) its hard to see if there is a stamp on the PT.
Did you clean the chassis, it looks new ..?


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Post subject: Re: Fender Pro Amp 1961 - thoughts?
Posted: Tue May 24, 2016 5:32 pm
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Nope, that's the way the amp came to me. Prolly, a true "closet queen." :lol:

Astron coupling caps are great --- but, I have found them to leak DC. The ones in my tweed Champ and the Ampeg Jet both passed a lot of DC. So, I'd measure the VDC on the grid side of those caps. If they are passing more than a volt or two, you'll need to replace them. :(

Blue MOLDED have better life. Like almost infinite. Along with original US made Orange Drops.

IME, the closest modern cap (tone wise) are the Red Jupiter caps and Russian mil spec K40Y-9 caps. Get 600VDC rated ones.

Good luck! BTW... is the speaker a Jensen P15N?


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Post subject: Re: Fender Pro Amp 1961 - thoughts?
Posted: Tue May 24, 2016 10:20 pm
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I believe the speaker is not original to the amp .. looks like '64 (calling Arjay!) :mrgreen:

In any event, I'm planing on replacing the speaker.

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Post subject: Re: Fender Pro Amp 1961 - thoughts?
Posted: Tue May 24, 2016 11:01 pm
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Indeed, thirtieth week of 1964. That Jensen would be appropriate for a blackface Pro Amp (or a blackface Vibroverb). I'll bet it sounds great in that 6G5 though, likely better than the Oxford that was probably the OEM speaker.

Arjay

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