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Author Topic:  A family heirloom
Edward Rhea

 

From:
Medford Oklahoma, USA
Post  Posted 23 Nov 2017 8:03 pm    
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Happy thanksgiving everyone!
Today we went to my Father-in-Law’s home and enjoyed Thanksgiving. Upon leaving, he cornered me and says: “Why don’t you take this amp, get it repaired...after all, It’s gonna be Deresa’s(my spouse) one day, when I’m unable to play, and I wanna keep it in the family.”
You see, this amp originally belonged to his dad. My Father-in-Law is ate up bad with RA...it’s really a shame, because he’s really a pretty good guitarist!
This BFSR is a 68, the best he can remember, but the AB763 on the tube chart dates it 66-67? Anyhow, it hasn’t been fired up for 20 or more years...the Mallory Electrolytics are probably original and has a 2 prong cord, so into the shop it goes! I took a little time this evening to clean it up a bit. I found a couple skeletons and an old abandoned nest! A 3 amp fuse(blown) scares me a little because it calls for a 2amp! No variac, so my trusted amp tech in Wichita Ks, Mike Metz, gets some work!?


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Bruce Derr

 

From:
Lee, New Hampshire, USA
Post  Posted 23 Nov 2017 8:28 pm    
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That's a beauty. It could have been purchased in '68 but it was probably made before Fall '67 when Fender switched to silverface. Is there a two-letter date code stamped on the tube chart (like QD, PH, etc)?
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Edward Rhea

 

From:
Medford Oklahoma, USA
Post  Posted 23 Nov 2017 8:34 pm    
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Bruce, thanks for the reply...
Here’s the tube chart


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Bruce Derr

 

From:
Lee, New Hampshire, USA
Post  Posted 23 Nov 2017 8:51 pm    
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Looks like QB. Q is 1967 and B is February.
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Paul Sutherland

 

From:
Placerville, California
Post  Posted 23 Nov 2017 8:52 pm    
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QB on the bottom would indicate made in February, 1967. That's a real nice gift.
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Edward Rhea

 

From:
Medford Oklahoma, USA
Post  Posted 23 Nov 2017 9:32 pm    
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Thanks so much for the info, fellas!
I personally can’t wait to hear Jim knock out some Chet Atkins flavored tunes through this ol amp. I’ve been married to his daughter twenty years(in a couple weeks) and have never heard him play through it? I’m honored to do this for both him and my wife
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Bobby Nelson


From:
North Carolina, USA
Post  Posted 25 Nov 2017 1:01 am    
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You'll love that amp. I played through a '64 for many yrs - my favorite ever.
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Edward Rhea

 

From:
Medford Oklahoma, USA
Post  Posted 25 Nov 2017 1:40 pm    
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Thanks Bobby! I already love it, and haven’t even heard it, yet!? The good news is, my amp tech has agreed to take it and my 72 Champ, and service them both...just have to make a trip up to Wichita?
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Jim Sliff


From:
Lawndale California, USA
Post  Posted 25 Nov 2017 2:44 pm    
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With new filter and bias caps, 3 prong cord and possibly a few other things that could be a superb amp.

Glad you decided to take it to a tech right away. I replace power transformers on far too many vintage amps that were turned on and used a bit "because it's been stored, so it must be in good shape: - when just the opposite is true!
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No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional
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Richard Sinkler


From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
Post  Posted 25 Nov 2017 4:03 pm    
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Cool. Have some JBL D110's thrown in there. And then stop at the forklift store. Whoa! Shocked Laughing Laughing
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, NV400, NV112 . Playing for 54 years and still counting.
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Edward Rhea

 

From:
Medford Oklahoma, USA
Post  Posted 25 Nov 2017 5:02 pm    
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Thanks Jim! I am really blessed to have owned a couple vintage Fender amps already, and got me a real good tech early on. I’ve been really fortunate that he’s taken time to explain the importance of the things you mention, and not look down on me for asking questions?
Richard, the JBL’s would be great, but the original Fender alnicos are still in it and appear to be in great condition? If a re-cone is in order, no problem, Mike will do that as well. I’m gonna have him freshen it up and will keep it to original factory specs, with the exception of the cord upgrade...but that’s mainly for safety. It’s not as heavy as my Twin Reverb, but bulky and awkward to lift out of a trunk! Anyhow, Dee’s Grandpa installed casters on it and with a little oil they freed right up and it rolls effortlessly.
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Nic Sanford

 

From:
Oklahoma
Post  Posted 26 Nov 2017 1:51 pm    
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Looks like a dream.
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Chris Boyd

 

From:
Leonia,N.J./Charlestown,R.I.
Post  Posted 26 Nov 2017 2:58 pm    
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I have 2 '67 Super Reverbs and they're my favorite amp for 6 string guitars..that's a beauty ! The CTS alnicos are fantastic speakers too...
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John Goux

 

From:
California, USA
Post  Posted 27 Nov 2017 1:26 am    
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Great amp!
I'm not seeing that you revealed the codes on the back of the speakers. That tells you the manufacturer and the date.
It could have Jensen, CTS, or Oxford speakers. All good and a bit different.
John
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Edward Rhea

 

From:
Medford Oklahoma, USA
Post  Posted 27 Nov 2017 8:59 pm    
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Thanks Nic! The little Champ you sold me is working fine, btw...just gonna have my tech take a look at the Electrolytics.
Chris, thanks for the nice comments. I think it’s gonna sing!
John, I’ll get those codes when I get home this weekend and some detailed pictures also? I sure appreciate the input you guys are posting!
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Josh Yenne


From:
Sonoma California
Post  Posted 28 Nov 2017 12:24 am    
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Nice! But 2000 solid state watts and 4 digital effects units will REALLY give u that sweet vintage tone when u want it!

Oh Well Laughing
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Edward Rhea

 

From:
Medford Oklahoma, USA
Post  Posted 2 Dec 2017 1:00 pm    
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A little update...
I was able to take this amp to Mike Metz. He’s backed up as always, with work, but assured me that he’d evaluate it and give me some info on what we’re looking at. It may be a couple weeks before he gets to it.
John, I rooted around with a flashlight looking for codes, but couldn’t find any on the speakers...perhaps they are on the rim of each speaker and I just couldn’t locate them? Sorry for no pictures too, I just didn’t have time to mess with it and make that road trip.
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Chris Boyd

 

From:
Leonia,N.J./Charlestown,R.I.
Post  Posted 2 Dec 2017 1:42 pm    
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Sometimes the speaker codes on the CTS alnicos from that period were hidden behind the blue Fender Musical Instruments decal...and some codes were on the speaker rim and clearly visible...
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Lefty


From:
Grayson, Ga.
Post  Posted 4 Dec 2017 8:07 am    
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That is a real beauty. Super reverbs are great amps.
The 66-68 Fenders are superb.
I have a 64, 68 and 69. The 69 may be my favorite as it has the Byrds/Tom Petty jangle.
If you ever need to replace the speakers Weber has some really nice ones. The 10F125 speakers are my favorite. I like them better than the Celestion 10' Gold alnico's I have in my 64.
Have a Merry Christmas.
regards,
Lefty
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Paul Honeycutt

 

From:
Colorado, USA
Post  Posted 4 Dec 2017 2:40 pm    
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Congrats. I used to have a '66 and I wish I'd never parted with it. Do your FIL proud.
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Edward Rhea

 

From:
Medford Oklahoma, USA
Post  Posted 5 Dec 2017 7:44 pm    
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Thanks for all the good reviews, guys.
Mike called today, and shared his evaluation...apparently, the power tubes are shorted, caps exploded, and the transformer is a goner. Remember that 3amp fuse I mentioned? I’m in it now upwards around $600...the speakers are in wonderful condition and the reverb circuit is flawless. He’s been given the green light from me to make it go!
The Champ is gonna get a little maintenance but not near as critical...i
BTW, the speakers are Jensen’s, with blue fender labels!
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Paul Sutherland

 

From:
Placerville, California
Post  Posted 5 Dec 2017 7:55 pm    
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The amp is easily worth that expense, probably worth 2 or 3 times that expense.
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Edward Rhea

 

From:
Medford Oklahoma, USA
Post  Posted 6 Dec 2017 9:01 am    
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Paul, I feel the same way, about the amp...
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Edward Rhea

 

From:
Medford Oklahoma, USA
Post  Posted 12 Jan 2018 4:11 pm    
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Here’s an update...
I got the amp home. My bride is playing on it as I type...OMG, the tone is nothing less than spectacular! Tomorrow, I’ll take it back to my father-in-law, and present it to him...I’m positive this will be an emotional return.
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Chris Boyd

 

From:
Leonia,N.J./Charlestown,R.I.
Post  Posted 12 Jan 2018 4:15 pm    
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You're a kind and thoughtful man Edward.
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