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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2015 1:19 pm
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If the amp has been sitting for 10-15 years without being plugged in, will it still have a charge?


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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2015 1:42 pm
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Pheadrus wrote:
If the amp has been sitting for 10-15 years without being plugged in, will it still have a charge?



Probably not , just check voltage you'll see :D


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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2015 6:16 pm
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Just wanted to update you guys. I got the 1980 Fender CTS's speakers installed today. I'm going to build the tester tomorrow hopefully and then I'll try to turn it on. Any advice or precautions to take?

If the amp workers, I was going to leave it original and only change the caps if something goes wrong. Is this a bad idea? Can this potentially damaged the amp beyond repair? I'm going to order all the caps to have if I do need them.

The amp that went for 6K recently on ebay had all the original Mallory caps still in it. I don't want to hurt the value if the original stuff still works. The amp only has about 10 years of light use it's whole life. If the caps haven't dried out I'm hoping it will work. Plus my Dad really wants to hear it again so I don't want to wait to change everything if possible.

I tried to wipe down the front fabric with a damp cloth but it didn't do much. Would it be a bad idea to carefully remove each staple to be able to take the fabric off the board and have it professionally cleaned? I'm pretty sure if I took my time I could gentle remove each staple and put them back after it was cleaned.


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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2015 6:41 pm
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" If the amp works, I was going to leave it original and only change the caps if something goes wrong. Is this a bad idea? Can this potentially damaged the amp beyond repair? I'm going to order all the caps to have if I do need them. "

If it ramps-up ok (using the current limiter or Variac) --- you are prolly ok. For awhile. NO extended high volume or heavy bass runs. Yes, a failure in the PSU caps can lead to other problems.


" The amp that went for 6K recently on ebay had all the original Mallory caps still in it. I don't want to hurt the value if the original stuff still works. The amp only has about 10 years of light use it's whole life. If the caps haven't dried out I'm hoping it will work. "

If this amp is going to be played on a semi-regular basis... REPLACE the main PSU and bias supply caps. Keep the old caps in a zip-lock baggy. If you decide to sell it later. For those knuckleheads that seem to get excited over 50 year old 'lytics. :lol:

If you are going to sell the amp soon ... don't touch a thing.


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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2015 7:28 pm
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Pheadrus wrote:
Would it be a bad idea to carefully remove each staple to be able to take the fabric off the board and have it professionally cleaned? I'm pretty sure if I took my time I could gentle remove each staple and put them back after it was cleaned.


Good luck with that.

:lol:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2015 7:43 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
Pheadrus wrote:
Would it be a bad idea to carefully remove each staple to be able to take the fabric off the board and have it professionally cleaned? I'm pretty sure if I took my time I could gentle remove each staple and put them back after it was cleaned.


Good luck with that.

:lol:

Arjay


+1...I have removed a couple grill cloths (and Arjay has done probably dozens) on some amp refurbs and there is NO way to pull those staples out and reuse. You can clean the grill cloth with Windex or 409, and re-attach it, but you WILL need to use new staples.

T2

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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2015 10:25 pm
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For right now it will just be my Dad playing around maybe once a week due to his health if that. I think he mostly just wants to hear it working again. So it would be low volume plucking with an es-335. My Dad would be giving it very light use.
I'm just learning so I have a little 15w Peavey Rage and I just fixed a Garnet G25 25w.
After My Dad passes, I'm not sure. If I can learn to play good enough, I'm more able to justify keeping it. But even then, do I need that kind of wattage for playing at home.
Being on permanent disability, cash is tight so it might go up for sale if I can't use it to play with.
Would re-stapling the cloth effect value versus leaving it stained brown? What staples are best to use seeing as you guys have experience with the process? I'm leaving it as is for now so my Dad can use it. I won't try and clean it up until it's mine.


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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2015 10:49 pm
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If you are seriously considering selling the amp, I'd do as little surgery to it as possible (even minor). Sell as is. Windex on grille works well. Not too much force. 409 on tolex, wipe up excess. Treat clean tolex with usual car vinyl conditioner.

If you are going to play the amp, more than just a few (like a couple) times --- PLEASE change those electrolytic caps. Really, better safe than sorry.



Just my 2¢ worth. Good luck!


Last edited by BMW2002Ti on Mon Jan 26, 2015 11:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2015 10:55 pm
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Removing the grill cloth with the intent on reattaching it using the original staples is A FOOL'S ERRAND!

If you wish to clean the original cloth then pay close attention:

Remove the chassis from the cabinet and both speakers with their wiring harness from the baffle board. Unfasten the mounting screws that hold the baffle board to the cabinet's interior cleats then gently push the baffle board from the rear and dislodge it from the cabinet. Remove the logo from the front of the baffle board. To clean the cloth, spray it liberally with Windex or 409 All-Purpose cleaner and let it soak for a few minutes. Wipe it dry (again, gently) using a soft, clean rag. A T-shirt is ideal. Rinse the cloth by spraying it with distilled water and wipe it again then allow it to air-dry. Repeat as necessary. Once clean, reverse the disassembly procedure to re-install the baffle board. Make sure you re-attach the logo using the same holes that originally held it in place. Then re-mount your speakers and chassis.

Stains and crud can be removed from the Tolex using Armor-All or Meguier's Classic Car Detailer spray. Use it sparingly and do not allow it to soak through the Tolex where it can loosen the adhesive holding it to the cabinet. Tarnished metal parts can be reconditioned using Brasso or Simichrome polish. Do not use steel wool.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2015 11:18 pm
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Thanks for the great advice Arjay and Beamer!!


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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 2:49 am
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Pheadrus wrote:
J


I tried to wipe down the front fabric with a damp cloth but it didn't do much. Would it be a bad idea to carefully remove each staple to be able to take the fabric off the board and have it professionally cleaned? I'm pretty sure if I took my time I could gentle remove each staple and put them back after it was cleaned.


Don't do that unless you want a poor looking job and drop the value


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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 2:56 am
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
If you are seriously considering selling the amp, I'd do as little surgery to it as possible (even minor). Sell as is. Windex on grille works well. Not too much force. 409 on tolex, wipe up excess. Treat clean tolex with usual car vinyl conditioner.
No windex IMO , this is not a cleaner for cloth. Pheadrus , why don't you read my answer ; use car seat cleaner , this is made for cloth , or leave like that . A smoky ( it is mojo ? ) grill cloth keep more value than a damaged clean grill


Good luck!


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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 9:38 am
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Whatever you use to clean the grille, do this... Spray the cleaner onto the cloth first, then use this to clean the grille. Wipe the excess off, with the unsprayed part of the cloth. This works better than simply spraying the grille.

Tell us what you decided to do with the amp. Hope you Dad enjoys the amp.


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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 10:49 am
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Thanks guys. I will definitely keep you guys up to date after all the help you've given me.

For now it's my dad's amp and I just want him to be able to play it. Once it becomes mine I'll have to see. I don't want to sell it period but as I said before, being on disability makes it harder to justify keeping it for sentimental value if I can't play. I only get $680 a month so having an extra 3-4K makes a big difference.

As far as the cloth, it's being left for now. I already installed the CTS's so I'm not pulling them off again to clean it. I'm just going to clean the Tolex and knobs and put it back together for my Dad.


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