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Help with Ampeg Blue Line SVT Restoration

#21
I'm not surprised that some of the components have been replaced, given that the thing is almost 40 years old. I'm not sure if I'll even bother with them unless something is out of spec.

Electrolytic caps don't frighten me nearly as much as large HV transformers (ones generating almost 3,000 volts and weighing several hundred pounds). I also don't like long power cables that hold their charge during testing with a Megger. I've been zapped by those lots of times even after thinking I've discharged them.

I've posted a couple more images and will add more when I have something new to show. Maybe after I get the new power cable and fuse holder installed. I may even add the missing AC interlock on the front of the chassis. The original manufacturer makes connectors for lighting assemblies.

Thanks for the help.

Curt Newport
 

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#23
mr1956 said:
I'm not surprised that some of the components have been replaced, given that the thing is almost 40 years old. I'm not sure if I'll even bother with them unless something is out of spec.

Electrolytic caps don't frighten me nearly as much as large HV transformers (ones generating almost 3,000 volts and weighing several hundred pounds). I also don't like long power cables that hold their charge during testing with a Megger. I've been zapped by those lots of times even after thinking I've discharged them.

I've posted a couple more images and will add more when I have something new to show. Maybe after I get the new power cable and fuse holder installed. I may even add the missing AC interlock on the front of the chassis. The original manufacturer makes connectors for lighting assemblies.

Thanks for the help.

Curt Newport
Click to expand...
Well the only thing is, when those early Christian lytic caps go bang! they go bang with all sorts of snot and silver paper everywhere in the chassis. Having been fixing these things since before your amp was born, I try to replace them before that happens. In fact I try to do it before the amp even starts cracking and motor boating or producing about 300 watts of 120 hz and very little bass guitar signal.
But thats just me and its about the only bit of real vintage stuff I don't love to death. Unless of course they are in the science museum and personally signed by Mr Faraday. Then they might have some intrinsic value. I think the resistor point is very interesting and may just save a bit of grief at some point in future.
 
#24
mr1956 said:
I purchased the head used at Giant Music, in Falls Church, VA in the early 1980's if I remember correctly.
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Now that is something. I bought a circa 1976 SVT head, with 8x10 cab, round about 1987 from a Giant Music out in Fairfax. Were they a chain?

I only paid 400 bucks for the whole lot.......imagine that today.

Back to the OP question - Does anyone know of someplace local to Washington DC/Metro area? Mine is out of service at the moment (based on the burning smell, I think a power tube failed and took out a resistor), and needs new power tubes, a cap job, etc.

I would like to avoid a trip to Jersey if possible, but I have a hard time trusting techs.
 
#25
Everyone on this forum has been extremely helpful and it is much appreciated. Just goes to show that a brotherhood of bass players is alive and well.

I will be posting images of my work as this thing progresses. Right now, I'm waiting on a few parts but I should have them before the weekend. I'm not even sure what to do with the amp when I get her all fixed up. I don't really play out anymore and am incredibly rusty. Maybe I should find some guys to play with and take the beast out.

I've also attached an image of the type of gear I normally work with, a Navy underwater vehicle on the dock in Guam last (sorry it is off topic).

Be that as it may, I am probably one of the few people who can say that they opened for the Doors, many years ago when I was much younger. I have to say they were damn good live.

Like I said above, I'll stay in touch but now I have some technical work to do, in addition to my day job.

Regards,

Curt Newport
 

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#27
mr1956 said:
...Be that as it may, I am probably one of the few people who can say that they opened for the Doors, many years ago when I was much younger. I have to say they were damn good live...
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Yeah, me too!
New year's eve, 1968 . . . Denver, Colorado . . . my band "Allmen Joy" . . .

BTW, congrats . . .

But I've got to admit that I have NO IDEA how they sounded . . . I was too stoned!
 
#28
For me, Alexandria Roller Rink, Alexandria, Virginia, 1968 (I think). I was playing bass for a band called the "New York Public Library." We were part of a "battle of the bands" before the headliners, the Doors.

Never spoke with Morrison though I heard stories. Densmore seemed like a good guy back stage.

Yes, Giant Music was a chain with stores in at least Falls Church (Lee Hwy and Rt 7) and maybe on main street in Fairfax. Back in the early days, I think they were called the "Sound Center" and were on Lee Hwy just south of Rt 7.

Most of those places are gone now.

Regards,

Curt Newport
:hyper:
 
#30
If I wasn't neck-deep restoring my '68 Cub Cadet tractor right now, I'd love to help you guys out. I've got a signal generator, scope, a couple of meters, and a giant 1200W dummy load. I do all of my own work as well as work for friends in bands. Most of you guys that have been around here for a while have seen this pic before - heads are '73, '73 and '74. Only two of them are in working condition right now, the third had a blown PT when I got it and I had started a kind of "hot rod" resto on it - had the PT rewound for higher B+ and more screen voltage, but it had some issues when I first fired it up and haven't gotten back to it... All three of them have been recapped and fully checked out, and the two that do work are my main amps and run GE6550A's.

svts2.jpg
 
#31
mr1956 said:
Everyone on this forum has been extremely helpful and it is much appreciated. Just goes to show that a brotherhood of bass players is alive and well.

I will be posting images of my work as this thing progresses. Right now, I'm waiting on a few parts but I should have them before the weekend. I'm not even sure what to do with the amp when I get her all fixed up. I don't really play out anymore and am incredibly rusty. Maybe I should find some guys to play with and take the beast out.

I've also attached an image of the type of gear I normally work with, a Navy underwater vehicle on the dock in Guam last (sorry it is off topic).

Be that as it may, I am probably one of the few people who can say that they opened for the Doors, many years ago when I was much younger. I have to say they were damn good live.

Like I said above, I'll stay in touch but now I have some technical work to do, in addition to my day job.

Regards,

Curt Newport
Click to expand...
The strange coincidence is that I am originally a marine engineer by trade as was Jimmy's dad I believe.
Here is one of the little toys I used to make when I was a lot younger.
351 Ford Cleveland blocks with volvo drive legs just about to nearly hook it here. Who says they don't go sideways:
Qd3hHg722061-02.jpg

:D
 

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