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Post subject: Re: 1968 drip-edge DR
Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 2:26 am
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Rock Star
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Thanks, for comments! :D

I think that the amp was turned on --- after many years in storage --- without ramping up the voltage. Often, something under the doghouse fails under those conditions (usually the filter caps). I will go through the PSU, once I get some free time from work.

The amp must have been stored in the garage. It has that fine powdery "patina" on the chassis. No big issue. Just shows that the amp prolly hasn't been used in years.

Notice the "kandi-korn" caps in the circuit? I haven't seen any Fender amps in the silverface era, with those caps. Must have been sitting on Fender's shelf for a long time.

Will re-do PSU. Ramp up. And test the puppy later this week or early next week.


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Post subject: Re: 1968 drip-edge DR
Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2014 11:00 am
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Chassis oxidation can be cleaned by gentle waxing with automotive-grade paste or rubbing compound. I don't recommend using it inside though unless you're prepared to completely disassemble it.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 1968 drip-edge DR
Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 10:54 pm
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Arjay, thanks for the tip. I just used a little brass brush and oil.


PSU before and after:


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Post subject: Re: 1968 drip-edge DR
Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 11:34 pm
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Nice clean-up job, Steve.

And those new F&T's look right at home.

How's it sound?

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 1968 drip-edge DR
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2014 2:29 am
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I always end up testing these amps at 2-3:00am. :lol:


New bias supply cap & three prong power cord. Exit "death cap.":

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Used Weber 12A150T:

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Post subject: Re: 1968 drip-edge DR
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2014 3:04 am
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Plate voltage = 458 VDC. Biased to 19mA per tube. Initial tests = pretty good.


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Post subject: Re: 1968 drip-edge DR
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2014 3:40 am
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Front & back... done. Now to test the thing... :mrgreen:




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Post subject: Re: 1968 drip-edge DR
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2014 8:44 am
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At 458 VDC that PV is a bit on the high side.

Any ideas why?

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 1968 drip-edge DR
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2014 10:40 am
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One very potent GZ34. Blackburn Mullards are noted for giving some of the more healthy B+, esp when new and this tube tested off the scale. This one was a TFK labeled manufactured in 1967, 3rd week February -- so maybe the original rectifier. The amp must not have been used much. The PT is prolly low mileage, too. Coupled with brand new 22mfd/500VDC caps. And I tested the amp at 2:30am, so the wall voltages may have been a bit higher, too. Will test the amp again, today.

With the amp in standby, the B+ reads 476VDC. The tone is very good. Smooth, clear with that 6V6GT OD setting in at around "4-5." Loud. The Weber 12A150T is a nice speaker. I bought it used from a guy for $45. Missing the bell housing, but that doesn't seem to effect the speaker or amp much.

The amp had three near perfect RCA 7025. A Raytheon 12AT7WA and TFK ECC81! I saved the two RCA 6V6GT and put in Sylvania BP mil spec 6V6GTA's --- as they handle higher plate voltages a bit better than the 6V6GT's.

Will test drive it versus the VLR and Tremolux later tonight. :mrgreen: :D


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Post subject: Re: 1968 drip-edge DR
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2014 4:09 pm
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Sweet looking amp Steve and damn nice job on it...and some superior glass too! So tell me you don't have neighbors or do you live next to all deaf people because testing out an amp at 2-3 in the AM will plain get you shot in neck of the woods!
:mrgreen:
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Post subject: Re: 1968 drip-edge DR
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2014 7:49 pm
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That's one sweet looking amp.


I bet it sounds as it looks :D


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Post subject: Re: 1968 drip-edge DR
Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2014 1:05 am
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Photo of impromptu testing of DR versus a couple other Vintage Fenders. :D

Forgive my son's playroom mess. He got blown out of the house. So far the DR is sounding very good and very unique. Kinda between a PR easy OD, brown tone. And the SR loud clean, shimmering tone. The DR actually sounds cleaner to loud, than the VLR. Maybe due to the Weber 12A150T versus vintage, dual reconed CTS 10-inch in the VLR.



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Post subject: Re: 1968 drip-edge DR
Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2014 10:51 pm
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:D

Some very nice amps there in your collection Beemer :o

Maybe an off-topic question, but would you consider putting a pair of 6L6's in place of 6V6's?!? :shock:

I've read a few articles about that but not sure if there is a benefit in doing so. :mrgreen:


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Post subject: Re: 1968 drip-edge DR
Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 7:07 am
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I'd maybe go to a JJ 6V6S. Which is not a real 6V6GT, but more like a 5881 inside a tube bigger than the 6V6GT but smaller than usual 5881.

I would not run 6L6GC is a 6V6GT amp. The heater line and the windings on the output tranny may saturate with the extra current demand and current passed with the 6L6GC. Believe me, the 6V6GTA sounds very good in this amp. No signs of red plates or early OD. Has the tone of a PR on steroids. Very clean, loud... with the 6V6GT creamy OD coming in at "6."


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Post subject: Re: 1968 drip-edge DR
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2014 7:27 am
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Nice score! Congrats! I traded mine in to get the Vibrolux... there was no point having 3 DRs :)

Image

IIRC, the PV on mine was also around 450...

The date on mine said 49th week of '67

Image

I don't get the point of running 6L6 tubes in a 6V6 amp... specially a DR, the 6V6 tubes are what make this amp sound the way it does.


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