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Post subject: Deluxe Reverb Amps 1964-1966 Tune-Ups
Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 11:30 am
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I have a few of the old Deluxe Reverb amps, I have two 1964, one 1965 and one 1966. One 1964 and one 1965 came in the original ship box and like new. I have a Celestion Gold ALNiCo in the 1965, a Jensen C12NA in the 1966 and I just installed new F&T Caps in the 1965 & 1966, and the Sprague 25uF-50v. in the Bypass. I used the original 25-25-25v. Astron Bypass cap covers to install the new Sprague 25uf-50v. caps. I put them inside the original cap covers and use 1/4" thick rubber end caps to finish the cap for that old school look.

When you solder the two Neg- leads together (3 twists) and solder the twist, I clip the 2nd lead off so I have just the 1 lead to solder into the busy eyelet on the Neg- side.

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I use a single new razor blade cut to remove the original cap covers. Then take the original cap, cut the lead flush so you can trace the cap over the new rubber end cap stock. I use regular scissors to cut the round shape end caps. They fit snug so no glue is required. Simply poke the leads through the rubber end caps making sure to have the double ended Pos+ leads correct.

I used my Atlas ESR70 Plus Meter to test the Litic Caps in the amp, this meter is great because you can test the caps in the circuit. Just because the original caps don't have blisters does not mean it's still good. This 25uF-25v. Cap measured 117 uF, enough to cause damage inside the amp. As a general rule, If I want to play an amp I install all new caps in the amp. If it's an investment amp like my 1961 EL84 Tremolux, I leave it all stock. (I do want to cap this amp though).

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the Meter tells you if the cap is leaking very bad.

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here the meter shows a healthy 25 uF cap, I replace them all anyway.

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The F&T 100uF-100v. Bias cap is the same length as the original Mallory. You can use stick-on velcro to hold the new cap inside the old cover.

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It gives the new caps the original look, while having the new Atoms inside.

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The new F&T 16uF-475v. caps are inside the old cap covers, and the rubber end caps finish the cap. I use Small strips of velcro inside the old cap cover because the new F&T caps are smaller than the original Mallorys. The Sprague Atoms fit in the old cap covers perfect, though shorter they get the rubber end caps to hide the 1/2" gap on both sides.

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Both the 1965 and 1966 have the beautiful Nickel Plated Chassis, and makes no Zinc dust that make scratchy Pots like the 1967-Up amps that have the heavy Zinc plating and shedding the zinc dust inside the chassis.

I love the Celestion Gold speaker, and the old Jensen C12NA has that classic tone.

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My clean No-Numbered Input Plate 1964,

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My other 1964 No-Numbered Input Plate Amp,
all the amps have the original tubes, Victoria amp covers
etc.

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In closing remember the Deluxe Reverb has the extra gain stage
in V4, so you really want the strongest matched or close to matched 7025-12AX7A tube in this location. Since I only use the Vibrato Channel I pull the V1 tube to get the most out of the amp.
I use the Mullard 1984 era CV4024 (12AT7) tubes in V3 and V6 (PI), and I have a set of Mullard 12AX7A 163 tubes from 1965, in the 1965 amp. The old Mullard GZ34 works well and I have 430 v. on the plates. I use the Weber Bias Rite meter w/plate voltage option to easily Bias the amps.

I just made a new F-Cap Speaker Wire for the Celestion Gold using the Alessandro 18Ga. Teflon coated Silver Tinned Speaker Wire, this is the best speaker wire I have found. 12" is all you need on most speakers in the DR.

I got lucky and found a mint pair of the C12NA in a 1965 2x12 cab,
they changed the Jensen label to the Fender label on the 42nd week of 1965, so anything before this will have the Jensen label.
220542 was the first week for the new Fender-Jensen labels. So finding the pre-220542 speakers are getting harder to find now. The rim codes show the speaker was built in 1966.

[img]http://www.shareimages.com/images/pics/0/0/3/79896-pJqcl5ejk5.km5yVmqU-jensen_1966_c12na.jpg
[/img]

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I still have a stash of the old RCA 6V6GTA tubes,

[img]http://www4.picturepush.com/photo/a/13154417/640/Anonymous/6v6gta.lot.jpg
[/img]

I have some old JBL D120F speakers I use in the DR sometimes.

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The "A 16" written on the chassis is the factory build code for the daily totals, it was the 16th amp built in the AM Shift.

CBS changed it after a while, but this was Leo's way of doing it.

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Post subject: Re: Deluxe Reverb Amps 1964-1966 Tune-Ups
Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 11:48 am
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It's clever packaging the new caps inside the old one.

But, I'd be worried about heat dissipation. Heat is death for caps and these are now doubly insulated.

Looks cool, but I wouldn't do it.

cheers!

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Post subject: Re: Deluxe Reverb Amps 1964-1966 Tune-Ups
Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 12:18 pm
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Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 9:22 pm
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The original caps were packed inside the original cap covers and they never had heat problems. I have been doing this on my vintage amps since the mid 1980s and don't have any problems. The caps are rated at 185 degrees and they can take alot of abuse.

I forgot to mention I have typed note sheet in each amp in a plastic ziploc bag under the reverb tank, it describes each amp, what work was done, if the original tubes are in my safe, the date of the cap job and or mods. And the value of the amp. It will help my family if I die soon, they will know about each amp & guitar.

I also have a sticky typed tape on the inside filter cap cover to tell people when the amp was capped and that there is a full note under the reverb tank in a ziploc and or envelope. My Tweeds and amps w/no reverb tank I put the note inside the amp in an envelope behind the power cord loop fastener.


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Post subject: Re: Deluxe Reverb Amps 1964-1966 Tune-Ups
Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 1:41 pm
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Nice job, SIXGUN. I'm betting that *someone* will still be playing those amps in the year 2100.

I have an early '68 DR (January -- still an AB763 revision) with tone to die for. I replaced the OEM Oxfart speaker with a D120F and it really opens up the sonic possibilities. Vintage bottles ensure consistent factory-spec operation.

I also have a '78 DR that's been modded with a new cab built to accommodate a 15-inch JBL. Silverface cosmetics with drip-edge molding provide a convincing late '60s visual vibe. Tonally it's a bit beefier than my '68 -- quite similar to my '64 Vibroverb.

Rawk on! And welcome to the forum.

8)

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Deluxe Reverb Amps 1964-1966 Tune-Ups
Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 6:03 pm
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Fixed the pic that didn't display:

SIXGUN wrote:
I still have a stash of the old RCA 6V6GTA tubes,

Image

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Post subject: Re: Deluxe Reverb Amps 1964-1966 Tune-Ups
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 12:20 am
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I have seen plenty of hi-fi re-dos with packed OEM cap cases. Seems to work out ok. Very nice job.

Nice stash of clear glass RCA 6V6GTA's. Very good tubes.


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