Cap kit for SVT

I<34080 · #1 12-10-2010, 05:50 PM

Would the kit from fliptops cover all the necessary caps?

http://www.fliptops.net/catalog/prod...roducts_id=475

Because the tech called me and said I'd need to put down "a couple hundred dollars" before he'd install the caps, and that kit costs $69.

js1 · #2 12-10-2010, 09:21 PM

Yeah, looks like it would cover it fine (I reviewed the schematic), and the cost is in line.

$400 for those six electrolytics is ridiculous.

js

coreyfyfe · #3 12-10-2010, 09:40 PM

A lot of the cost is in the labor, potentially in better caps than those in the fliptops kit. FWIW the cap job on my 70s SVT was around $200 from a reputable and trustworthy tech.

I<34080 · #4 12-10-2010, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coreyfyfe

A lot of the cost is in the labor, potentially in better caps than those in the fliptops kit. FWIW the cap job on my 70s SVT was around $200 from a reputable and trustworthy tech.

Yeah, i'll be putting down like 200, and then he'll have to do more work on it to get it working properly, as he has only told me "it's in bad shape."

beans-on-toast · #5 12-11-2010, 07:18 AM

I would call the tech back and ask for more details as to what he thinks needs doing on the amp. An old SVT in rough shape could need a lot more work than just a recap kit.

For instance, the six plate resistors on the power tubes, the two one ohm resistors used to test the bias, and the dropping resistors in the power supply tend to drift and might need changing. There are other resistors as well as capacitors and diodes in the power amp that could need attention as well. They need testing to ensure that they are within the specifications.

Is there a two prong power cord that needs upgrading to three-prong? Then there is removing the "death cap" in the phase reversal circuit.

Do the tube sockets need re-tensioning?

Does the amp need a general cleaning? Some of them are so dirty that it affects the operation of the amp. The dirt can act as a conductor and add capacitance and resistance between components. This isn't good.

Concerning the re-cap kit from fliptops. Be aware that the capacitor values will be a little different than what is in the amp now. This isn't a problem, it will increase some of the values a little and make the amp better. Their quality is ok but more expensive ones are available. They don't supply the two metal cap cans like the originals that are on the top of the power amp. Instead they use two capacitors that require a metal ring to hold them in place at the base of the caps. The rings might require drilling two holes in the chassis to install them. You could ask your tech about the quality of caps they are installing. There are good caps and there are not so good caps.

You can easily spend eight hours on an SVT just to get it into basic working shape. Making it look and perform better takes even more time. At $25-$50 an hour, labor costs can add up quickly.

coreyfyfe · #6 12-11-2010, 11:08 AM

Found my receipt for the SVT cap job. Replacing electrolytic caps, three PSU resistors, three preamp resistors (pre had been converted to 12ax7 this was to switch it back to 12dw7s), replacing driver tubes, biasing output tubes, stress-test and play test was $180 for labor. $50 for the caps, resistors, cap clamps, and some new screws.

beans-on-toast · #7 12-11-2010, 05:47 PM

You did very well Corey!

Prices seem to vary a lot. Some amps need a lot of attention while others don't.

There are a lot of guys out there that cut corners and do half a job. When you find a great tech, they are worth whatever the costs are.

David

I<34080 · #8 12-16-2010, 11:14 AM

Thank you guys for your help. I ended up paying the $200 deposit. The tech showed me the insides of the amp and it was missing caps and all the wiring was a mess. I contacted the guy that sold it to me (who is now a liar, because the original story he told me was "i was playing it and it blew a fuse, the B+ is shot) now tells me that he bought off a pill head for dirt cheap, but didn't have the time or money to fix it up, so he sold it (to me).

I have a feeling this could get pricey. Total price so far is $200 for the amp and $200 for the cap kit. We'll see what else is wrong with it.

coreyfyfe · #9 12-16-2010, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I<34080

I have a feeling this could get pricey. Total price so far is $200 for the amp and $200 for the cap kit. We'll see what else is wrong with it.

That's still a freakin amazing price. Anything under a grand that gets it up to spec and in prime playing condition is a steal. Usually for that price you haven't even hit the repairs phase.

I<34080 · #10 01-05-2011, 04:58 PM

Well I got my money back, as I turned in the amp over a month ago and they still hadn't even ORDERED the parts that I put my money down for. Won't be taking anything back there again. Looks like my SVT won't be repaired until this summer.

Bummer.