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Post subject: Troubleshooting an '83 Fender Concert Rivera 4x10
Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2012 8:12 pm
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I got my dad's old Concert amp a couple years ago, and the thing was just as awesome as it was when I was a little kid. A couple months ago, though, the thing started acting up on me....namely, it about made me soil myself one day as I was playing for a bit and then a huge BRAP!! that was much louder than the volume I had been playing at. I thought it was possibly a short in my instrument cable, because it played fine for a while but then it did it again a short time later. I then put it in standby, let it cool down, and turned it off.

I took it to my local guitar store (who is a licensed Fender dealer) and they had their guy look at it. I was thinking it just needed retubed, but he told me it might be capacitors or something too....he didn't sound so sure of himself, so I'm kinda stuck. I don't know where to take it, and I'm a little worried about pouring money a ton of money into it even though it has a tremendous amount of sentimental value to me.

Does anyone know that if there is, in fact, a problem with the capacitors, would I still need tubes? Or do I retube the thing and hope the guy just has no idea what he's talking about? Any help would be immensely appreciated.

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Post subject: Re: Troubleshooting an '83 Fender Concert Rivera 4x10
Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2012 9:30 pm
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At 30 years old, it is probably time for a recap and new tubes wouldn't hurt. Sounds like you need to find a competent amp thech, though.

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Post subject: Re: Troubleshooting an '83 Fender Concert Rivera 4x10
Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2012 10:55 pm
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I have an 84 Concert 2x10 and just had it serviced about two or three months ago...it needed a cap job and new tubes. It is certainly time. Total it cost me about $200 counting the tubes.

And when you get it done, how about some pics, we love amp porn here!

FWIW

T2

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Post subject: Re: Troubleshooting an '83 Fender Concert Rivera 4x10
Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 12:51 am
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bluesky636 wrote:
At 30 years old, it is probably time for a recap and new tubes wouldn't hurt. Sounds like you need to find a competent amp thech, though.


+1

A modest outlay for a general overhaul will turn that aging pullet into a spring chicken once again.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Troubleshooting an '83 Fender Concert Rivera 4x10
Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 1:58 am
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+ 1 bluesky


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Post subject: Re: Troubleshooting an '83 Fender Concert Rivera 4x10
Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 8:19 am
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T2Stratman wrote:
I have an 84 Concert 2x10 and just had it serviced about two or three months ago...it needed a cap job and new tubes. It is certainly time. Total it cost me about $200 counting the tubes.

And when you get it done, how about some pics, we love amp porn here!

FWIW

T2


Thanks for the input! the guy at the place I took it to said he thought repair would "Starting around $400 and most likely more" so now I think that confirms my belief he really didn't know what he was talking about. 200 bones isn't bad at all. That would definitely be worth it. So I guess my next question is this: Where's the best place to find someone to do the job for me? Clearly, I won't be taking it back to the place I took it before. I live in up in the NW corner of Missouri, so Omaha and KC are each roughly two hours away.

As far as posting pics for amp porn, well, I would be more than willing, but keep in mind this amp has been through 25 years of gigging and it didn't make it through those years unscathed (or unbathed in beer, for that matter :lol: ).

Thank you all for your help!

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Fender Products
Deluxe Nashville Power Tele
T-Bucket
F-55-12
DG-20S
Squier II Strat
83 Concert 4x10 Amp
Mustang V

The Rest
PRS SE Paul Allender
ESP LTD EC-1000
Jackson Performer
Peavey Bandit 112
Peavey Chorus 212
Carvin 4x12 Cab
Boss ME50
Tama Drums


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Post subject: Re: Troubleshooting an '83 Fender Concert Rivera 4x10
Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 9:46 am
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Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2011 3:10 pm
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Location: Gateway to the West
To find a good tech talk with other guitarist in other bands. Mom and Pop Music store owners sometimes know guys, post something on craigslist, and sometimes you can find a guy at churches that have bands. Amp techs getting harder to find it seems, but just keep getting out there and something will turn up. The amp tech I had (he passed a month ago) was a retired guy and he liked working amps, so he was a pretty cheap. But depending on tubes you go with, that $200 could have been $300. He tightened the tube sockets, replaced the caps and checked over the rest of board.

As for the pics, post em anyway...I giged with mine for a couple years in Florida and it held up very well, but then again I am a little anal about keeping things clean, would be nice to see how wells yours held up.

T2

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