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Post subject: Early 50's Deluxe Amp
Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 7:22 am
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I just inherited what I believe to be a ’53 “Deluxe” tweed amp model# 5B0 (possible 5B3). As much as I would love to plug up to it and test it out, I don’t want to do anything that would break or depreciate the value. There’s no sentimental connection, however I believe that I’ve come across something rare and plan on taking great care of it so that it lasts for another 60 years. Juan wondering if there was anything I should do/not do to help keep this treasure preserved and original as possible? It’s in what I believe to be in pretty great condition. It was in my great Uncle’s attic since the 60s and remained untouched by the sun this whole time. The only exterior damage from what I can tell is the leather handle turned to dust as my Aunt tried to pick it up. Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!


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Post subject: Re: Early 50's Deluxe Amp
Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 9:26 am
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Hi boganjd,

Are you going to use it, or put it away as a museum piece? If the former, at a minimum you'll need to replace all electrolytics and change the two-prong electrical cord and plug to a three-prong before even trying it. It would be worth the money to have a qualified tech go through the whole amp to make sure it's useable.

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Post subject: Re: Early 50's Deluxe Amp
Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 10:35 am
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shimmilou wrote:
Are you going to use it, or put it away as a museum piece? If the former, at a minimum you'll need to replace all electrolytics and change the two-prong electrical cord and plug to a three-prong before even trying it. It would be worth the money to have a qualified tech go through the whole amp to make sure it's useable.


+1000!

Attics are notorious for baking an amp's electrolytic caps to death and wreaking havoc with all neoprene components, especially the insulating jacket of the power cord. Shimmilou has offered the best advice there is and I would caution you to heed it.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Early 50's Deluxe Amp
Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 10:57 am
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Thank you both for the replies. As much as I would love to plug in and play, I have other toys for that. I plan on keeping this as a ‘museum piece’ and don’t want to change/ruin anything that could possible depreciate the value or originality. There’s a few places close by that have some experience with vintage amps and I was planning on taking it there. Any thoughts on cleaning up the external parts? I’m afraid that if I replace a single screw, it’ll change everything.


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Post subject: Re: Early 50's Deluxe Amp
Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 1:44 pm
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boganjd wrote:
Thank you both for the replies. As much as I would love to plug in and play, I have other toys for that. I plan on keeping this as a ‘museum piece’ and don’t want to change/ruin anything that could possible depreciate the value or originality. There’s a few places close by that have some experience with vintage amps and I was planning on taking it there. Any thoughts on cleaning up the external parts? I’m afraid that if I replace a single screw, it’ll change everything.


OK.... Down to Earth time...

It's not that rare... Fender made hundreds, if not thousands of them and many survive.

It'll never be worth the kind of money that'll buy you a Chateau in Southern France unless maybe pre-owned by Elvis or Buddy Holley, and then only maybe... on a good day !

All the museums already have one, or something like it.

Don't go all Gordon Gekko (this isn't exactly a .45 Cal. Luger here)... Have it put back into operating shape and either use it... or sell it to someone who will.

cheers!

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Last edited by Lightnin MN on Sat Apr 25, 2015 12:25 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Early 50's Deluxe Amp
Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 2:06 pm
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boganjd wrote:
Any thoughts on cleaning up the external parts? I’m afraid that if I replace a single screw, it’ll change everything.


Think of yourself as a surgeon and the amp as your patient......

DO NO HARM!

First of all, use no abrasives anywhere -- not on the hardware, the knobs, the control panel, anywhere. Mild polishing compounds are usually sufficient for removing surface rust and geriatric crud but simple soap and water should suffice for the control panel (with its all-important lettering and numbers). Meguier's Auto Detailer will put a nice shine back on those bakelite chickenheads. Cleaning the cabinetry will require a full disassembly of the amp. Windex or all-purpose 409 spray cleaner works well on grill cloth. Spray it on, rinse with distilled water, then allow to air-dry. Repeat as necessary and resist the urge to "scrub" it with a brush. Simple wiping with a soft, clean cloth will remove most offending stains. For a lacquered-tweed covering I'd recommend warm water and mild detergent. Work it in small areas and again, resist any temptation to scrub or scour. For nickel-plated metal parts such as handle hardware and screws, I like Simichrome or Brasso. Do not use products such as these on the name plate as they will ultimately remove the enamel paint. A light vacuuming should purge the cabinet's interior of most dust and debris but treat the tube chart carefully -- that paper was flimsy the day it was pasted on, and today is much more brittle and vulnerable to flaking and tearing. The speaker frame can be cleaned and polished with Meguire's but use caution -- spray the compound onto a rag, not directly on the speaker. And Good Lord, don't poke a hole in the cone with your finger!

Best of luck.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Early 50's Deluxe Amp
Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 7:36 pm
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If you can't use it it isn't worth having! Get it working as Shimmilou says. You will grow to love it,

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Post subject: Re: Early 50's Deluxe Amp
Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 10:35 pm
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Cap47 wrote:
If you can't use it it isn't worth having!


Absolutely!

Eye candy merely for studio décor makes as much sense as owning a presentation-grade firearm that never leaves the gun cabinet or a classic automobile that's never driven. Without some measure of utility, such an existence is superfluous.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Early 50's Deluxe Amp
Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2015 10:57 am
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Retroverbial – appreciate all the details. Very informative!

From all the other suggestions I’ve received thus far, I’m seriously considering getting this thing operational and actually using it. A little spit shine wouldn’t hurt though. Thanks again for all the input, any further ideas or suggestions are always much appreciated.


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Post subject: Re: Early 50's Deluxe Amp
Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2015 12:22 pm
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If your amp's speaker is original and you find it to be "tired sounding", better to have it re-coned to proper specs rather than replace it outright. Few contemporary drivers can match the tone of a nice Jensen P12Q.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Early 50's Deluxe Amp
Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2015 5:47 pm
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Great find! Is the tweed in good condition? Have any photos?

Don't play it until you can get the power supply filter caps replaced. They sit on the main circuit board and can cause a lot of damage to this board, if they start leaking. I'd recone that speaker, too. 1950s era Jensen alnico speakers are legend, for their tone.

Good luck with the amp! :D


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Post subject: Re: Early 50's Deluxe Amp
Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2015 11:06 pm
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
I'd recone that speaker, too.


Only if required. The speaker should be inspected for any signs of decay to the suspension or surround. Attics, like cellars, are notorious habitats for insects and other vermin who often dine on consumables such as paper and linen. And both are constituent materials of a speaker cone.

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: Early 50's Deluxe Amp
Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2015 4:44 pm
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Here are some pics:
http://s725.photobucket.com/user/Joe_Bogan/slideshow/


I plan on taking it to someone in the area sometime this week. Any idea on cost for the things listed above?


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Post subject: Re: Early 50's Deluxe Amp
Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2015 10:49 pm
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The pics seem to show an unmolested specimen, which makes it much easier to overhaul since nothing's been diddled with. Expect the refurbishment to cost $250 to $300 (about $80 less if the speaker is serviceable as is).

Arjay

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