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Post subject: Cleaning Bright Switches on 1968 Fender Twin
Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2019 10:14 am
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Hi,
The bright switches on my 1968 Twin don't work on the bright setting unless I put a little pressure on them (pushing gently into the amp). Does anyone know if I can clean them with the same Deoxit D5 that I used to clean the pots? I was going to spray it into the front of the switch. I've never opened my amp myself, don't feel confident doing so safely, and have sprayed the cleaner into the knobs from the front, which worked well.
I want to avoid taking it into the local music store, I don't think they are very experienced.
Any help would be appreciated.


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Post subject: Re: Cleaning Bright Switches on 1968 Fender Twin
Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2019 1:30 am
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Try to spray from the front and work the switches up and down at least 10 time.
Amp must show the switch up to be sure the Deoxit go inside. Put the amp the back on the floor.

Congrat to buy the right stuff like Deoxit, it is the only one can do a good job. Too many people are afraid to spend $20 to fix a $1000 amp or guitar.

From inside the amp it is more easy, swithes are not sealed. From the front it should work too.

There is no danger if you open the amp if you don't touch filter caps or any solder.
If you leave the amp with standby in play mode, it will discharge high voltage in few hours.

The only real problem and the weight of this very heavy amp


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Post subject: Re: Cleaning Bright Switches on 1968 Fender Twin
Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2019 9:47 am
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stratele52 wrote:
Try to spray from the front and work the switches up and down at least 10 time.
Amp must show the switch up to be sure the Deoxit go inside. Put the amp the back on the floor.

Congrat to buy the right stuff like Deoxit, it is the only one can do a good job. Too many people are afraid to spend $20 to fix a $1000 amp or guitar.

From inside the amp it is more easy, swithes are not sealed. From the front it should work too.

There is no danger if you open the amp if you don't touch filter caps or any solder.
If you leave the amp with standby in play mode, it will discharge high voltage in few hours.

The only real problem and the weight of this very heavy amp

Thank you, I sprayed from the front and it works fine now.
So I must avoid touching the filter caps and solder if I open the amp.
You said to leave the amp with "standby in play mode" for a few hours to discharge the high voltage. I don't understand. Do I leave the amp plugged in with the power switch off and the standby switch on?

We plan to move to France and I'm thinking of taking my 8 guitars and 7 amps (to use with transformers). The Twin has the heavy JBL speakers in it, and is my heaviest amp (too heavy!). I also have an old 85 watt Bassman head with cab and a 50 watt Marshall head. They are all rare and I think they are worth keeping, but if I can sell them for a good price, maybe I can buy something new in France to replace them with? Do you have an idea?
Also, if I do take my amps do you think I should have them re-wired to work with 220 current instead of using transformers?

Thanks for responding.


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Post subject: Re: Cleaning Bright Switches on 1968 Fender Twin
Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2019 9:55 am
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PeteKarak ask ;

1- "You said to leave the amp with "standby in play mode" for a few hours to discharge the high voltage. I don't understand. "

2- "Do I leave the amp plugged in with the power switch off and the standby switch on ? "

Answer;

1- Stanby Sw send voltage to amps's circuits. Filter caps are like battery. With load ( circuits ) filter caps will be discharged if Stanby Sw is on "play " position.

2- No


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Post subject: Re: Cleaning Bright Switches on 1968 Fender Twin
Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2019 9:59 am
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" They are all rare and I think they are worth keeping, but if I can sell them for a good price, maybe I can buy something new in France to replace them with? Do you have an idea?"

Sorry , no idea, I'm a Canadian speaking french, no a French :lol:

"Also, if I do take my amps do you think I should have them re-wired to work with 220 current instead of using transformers?"

You can't re-wired these amp for 240 v. You must replace Power Transformer or use step down transformer


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Post subject: Re: Cleaning Bright Switches on 1968 Fender Twin
Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2019 10:06 am
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Each of the Fender amps will need the "export version" power transformer that Fender made specifically for each of their amp models. In the case of a Twin Reverb, the original P/N 125P34A is replaced by P/N 125P34AX. It will be expensive *if* you can even find one (the same goes for your Bassman) and the job should be performed by a qualified amp technician. In all honesty you'd be better off buying a stand-alone conversion transformer that can be used with virtually any of your amps. It'll be much cheaper in the long run and won't require any modifications whatsoever.

As for finding a "replacement" for a vintage Twin Reverb or Bassman, fuggedaboutit. None exists. Contemporary products are nothing more than consumer junk -- cheap, problem-prone, and disposable.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: Cleaning Bright Switches on 1968 Fender Twin
Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2019 6:06 pm
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stratele52 wrote:
2- "Do I leave the amp plugged in with the power switch off and the standby switch on ? "

Answer;

2- No

Sorry for being so stupid. I don't think my question was clear.
So do I leave the standby switch in "play" position, with the amp unplugged and the power switch off?
Do I finally understand?


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Post subject: Re: Cleaning Bright Switches on 1968 Fender Twin
Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2019 6:37 pm
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stratele52 wrote:
" They are all rare and I think they are worth keeping, but if I can sell them for a good price, maybe I can buy something new in France to replace them with? Do you have an idea?"

Sorry , no idea, I'm a Canadian speaking french, no a French :lol:

I thought maybe you know some good new amps that are similar?

stratele52 wrote:

"Also, if I do take my amps do you think I should have them re-wired to work with 220 current instead of using transformers?"

You can't re-wired these amp for 240 v. You must replace Power Transformer or use step down transformer

OK, I will buy a step down transformer.
Thank You


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Post subject: Re: Cleaning Bright Switches on 1968 Fender Twin
Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2019 6:49 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
Each of the Fender amps will need the "export version" power transformer that Fender made specifically for each of their amp models. In the case of a Twin Reverb, the original P/N 125P34A is replaced by P/N 125P34AX. It will be expensive *if* you can even find one (the same goes for your Bassman) and the job should be performed by a qualified amp technician. In all honesty you'd be better off buying a stand-alone conversion transformer that can be used with virtually any of your amps. It'll be much cheaper in the long run and won't require any modifications whatsoever.

As for finding a "replacement" for a vintage Twin Reverb or Bassman, fuggedaboutit. None exists. Contemporary products are nothing more than consumer junk -- cheap, problem-prone, and disposable.

Arjay

Thanks for the advice. I will buy a stand-alone conversion transformer.
So all those Fender re-issues aren't anything like the originals?
Some of them are pretty high priced, but I guess they can charge whatever they want if the old stuff is no longer available.
You've helped me make my decision to keep them. I think I will also be keeping my 1965 Gibson ES-330.
Thanks again.


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Post subject: Re: Cleaning Bright Switches on 1968 Fender Twin
Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2019 11:33 pm
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peterkarak wrote:
So all those Fender re-issues aren't anything like the originals?

No, but with this caveat.

Pre-2006 Fender blackface re-issues can be tasked to perform and sound similar to the originals but it requires some component upgrades (all electrolytic caps, careful tube selection, and quality loudspeakers). Such mods will deliver an amp that's reliable, dependable, and vintage sounding. I own two such amps -- a Deluxe Reverb re-issue from 1994, and a Twin Reverb re-issue from 1999. Both were purchased used and immediately upgraded as I described above. Sprague Atom electrolytic caps, vintage NOS tubes, and JBL speakers. Since I've owned them they've performed superbly and sound incredibly close to the originals (which I also own).

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: Cleaning Bright Switches on 1968 Fender Twin
Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2019 1:00 am
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peterkarak wrote:


Thanks for the advice. I will buy a stand-alone conversion transformer.

. I think I will also be keeping my 1965 Gibson ES-330.

Thanks again.


That's I'll do :)


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Post subject: Re: Cleaning Bright Switches on 1968 Fender Twin
Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2019 10:20 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
peterkarak wrote:
So all those Fender re-issues aren't anything like the originals?

No, but with this caveat.

Pre-2006 Fender blackface re-issues can be tasked to perform and sound similar to the originals but it requires some component upgrades (all electrolytic caps, careful tube selection, and quality loudspeakers). Such mods will deliver an amp that's reliable, dependable, and vintage sounding. I own two such amps -- a Deluxe Reverb re-issue from 1994, and a Twin Reverb re-issue from 1999. Both were purchased used and immediately upgraded as I described above. Sprague Atom electrolytic caps, vintage NOS tubes, and JBL speakers. Since I've owned them they've performed superbly and sound incredibly close to the originals (which I also own).

Arjay

Thanks for your reply. I understand what you're saying.
One of my main concerns is the weight of the Twin. I guess your Twin weighs as much as mine, which also has JBL speakers. I've taken mine to Europe and back, on trains, planes, ships and subways, but I want to find a way to make it easier to move once we've settled down. I can always us a hand truck or dolly, or put on casters, but what about stairs?
I've never had a Deluxe Reverb, or any of the other old, smaller Fender amps like the Champ, Princeton, Vibrolux etc., and I've considered maybe selling my Twin and getting something like that. I don't need the Twin if I can get a tone like that at lower volumes with another amp, but I guess newer ones would have to be modified to get close to the originals. I assume you do the work on your amps; I don't, so I would have to pay someone to do it, and I don't know what that would cost or who I could trust to do a good job. It would be simpler to buy one of the old, pre-1968 originals if I can sell my Twin for a good price. I know each of those smaller amps has its own identity, but is there one you'd recommend over the others, that can be used in a variety of situations (recording, in small rooms and at live venues)? It's pretty isolated where I am and I don't have opportunities to play through those amps.
I also have a Blues Junior, a Hot Rod Deluxe and a Marshall DSL401, but I'm sure they can't compare to the old originals. I should probably sell those.
On a side note, I had my Twin modified with a master volume (which I hardly ever use) and a line out, which I assume would devalue a vintage amp.
I appreciate the information you've given me, and any other thoughts or advice you might have.
Thanks again.


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Post subject: Re: Cleaning Bright Switches on 1968 Fender Twin
Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2019 10:45 am
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The Twin Reverb is one of those "love 'em or hate 'em" amps and the sour side of the equation is that they're so bloody heavy. JBL speakers only compound the situation. I lugged a TR around for decades until I decided to explore the myriad of vintage options from Fender. Now I own them all (or nearly so) and neither of my Lansing-equipped Twin Reverbs has left my home since 2007. Instead I rely on the likes of a '64 Vibroverb, a '65 Princeton Reverb, a '66 Vibrolux Reverb, a '67 Pro Reverb, or a '68 Deluxe Reverb for the majority of my work. None of these amps can equal the extreme loud/clean paradigm that the Twin Reverb is famous (or infamous) for but they're more than adequate for most venues. The days of playing a dimed 100-watt amp in a five-stool saloon are long gone (mercifully!). Give the smaller platforms a try and see what you think.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: Cleaning Bright Switches on 1968 Fender Twin
Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2019 11:01 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
The Twin Reverb is one of those "love 'em or hate 'em" amps and the sour side of the equation is that they're so bloody heavy. JBL speakers only compound the situation. I lugged a TR around for decades until I decided to explore the myriad of vintage options from Fender. Now I own them all (or nearly so) and neither of my Lansing-equipped Twin Reverbs has left my home since 2007. Instead I rely on the likes of a '64 Vibroverb, a '65 Princeton Reverb, a '66 Vibrolux Reverb, a '67 Pro Reverb, or a '68 Deluxe Reverb for the majority of my work. None of these amps can equal the extreme loud/clean paradigm that the Twin Reverb is famous (or infamous) for but they're more than adequate for most venues. The days of playing a dimed 100-watt amp in a five-stool saloon are long gone (mercifully!). Give the smaller platforms a try and see what you think.

Arjay

OK!
Wow, you've got them all!
I assume that they're either vintage or have been modified. If I were to buy any of those new, smaller Fender re-issues, would they also have to be modified (like the Twin) to sound like the originals, and would you recommend searching for the vintage ones instead?


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Post subject: Re: Cleaning Bright Switches on 1968 Fender Twin
Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2019 12:46 pm
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Mine are all vintage and dead factory stock (with the exception of modern safety upgrades). Some have a JBL (as with my Vibroverb and Deluxe Reverb) others have vintage OEM Jensens or alnico CTS.

The pre-2006 blackface re-issues require upgrades only to render them more dependable and reliable under field conditions. If I take one out somewhere I don't want it crapping out on stage in the middle of a set.

The better speakers I install are merely a sonic enhancement of a fundamentally sound amp design.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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