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Amp Restoration


10PoundLester

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Just now, 10PoundLester said:

One version of the Showman was/is essentially the same power section as a Twin Reverb (less the reverb unless specified). Both are AB763 circuits and develop around 80 watts depending on voltages etc. There are several versions of each amp. In terms of "Blackface" they are almost identical from a power section circuitry standpoint. There are differences in the preamp section.

Mine is a 1971 Dual Showman Reverb... it's supposed to have the same chassis as the Twin Reverb....I'm no amp specialist, so I rely on what Fender says...if it's 80 amps, fine...that's what it is...it's still a great sounding amp, is LOUD and it's BIG.

That's why it lives in my office behind the door.

It has casters on the bottom of the speaker box so it's easier to roll around.

 

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My restoration project is in full swing today. I have the Tolex going on (new pics at the bottom of my gallery linked above) and I'll be adding more pics and descriptions as I go. I love this stuff - I learn new techniques all the time and that's part of what keeps me going. Learned an excellent technique for trimming and applying the Tolex. If there's any interest I'll write that up.

Edited by 10PoundLester
fix a typo
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29 minutes ago, Larsongs said:

WOW! That is looking great! I’m interested to learn the Toledo process..

Thanks! If you're referring to the "Tolex" process there are a lot of great videos on Youtube. My post above was actually referring to the use of a specific tool I made from a piece of aluminum angle stock from Ace Hardware. It's detailed in the album linked above, under the photo of the adhesive can.

Edited by 10PoundLester
Misunderstood the comment so I deleted my initial response
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2 hours ago, DanvillRob said:

Looks fab!

Thanks! It's a big step from where it was when I got it to this finished restoration. I have about 400 or so into the electronics - mainly the speaker (Eminence Cannabis Rex), reverb tank and NOS tubes and then another 200 or so into the materials for the restoration. So all in all not a bad deal for 600 bucks and a little labor. The transformers and choke are stock as are most of the coupling caps. I did change a few caps and resistors that absolutely needed it otherwise the electronics are all stock. This amp sounds fantastic.

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On 5/5/2023 at 9:55 AM, DanvillRob said:

I just read what Fender put on the amp.   

 

 

That would be the amount of power the amp draws from the wall. At 120 volts it will draw a maximum of around 2.5 amps which is 300 watts. Has nothing to do with the output power of the amp.

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19 hours ago, 10PoundLester said:

Thanks! It's a big step from where it was when I got it to this finished restoration. I have about 400 or so into the electronics - mainly the speaker (Eminence Cannabis Rex), reverb tank and NOS tubes and then another 200 or so into the materials for the restoration. So all in all not a bad deal for 600 bucks and a little labor. The transformers and choke are stock as are most of the coupling caps. I did change a few caps and resistors that absolutely needed it otherwise the electronics are all stock. This amp sounds fantastic.

Looks great..... I'll bet it'll sound just as good.

 

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18 hours ago, 10PoundLester said:

That would be the amount of power the amp draws from the wall. At 120 volts it will draw a maximum of around 2.5 amps which is 300 watts. Has nothing to do with the output power of the amp.

I see..... I wonder if they post the output?   That would seem to be more important that the power it draws.

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10 minutes ago, DanvillRob said:

I see..... I wonder if they post the output?   That would seem to be more important that the power it draws.

The output is relative to the bias point and other factors that are not necessarily etched in stone so the usually would just give a value corresponding to the power tube output at a given point.

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Just now, 10PoundLester said:

The output is relative to the bias point and other factors that are not necessarily etched in stone so the usually would just give a value corresponding to the power tube output at a given point.

That's like asking a guy what time it is, and he tells you how to build a watch!

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6 minutes ago, 10PoundLester said:

Because the power tubes your amp can use come in different flavors and can develop anywhere from 19 to 30 watts of power each.

I'm jamming my thumb in your eye....but I appreciate the information.

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On 4/29/2023 at 12:20 AM, Larsongs said:

I enjoy watching Builds & Restorations.. I’m interested to see how it’s done..

I’m curious to know if it’s worth more restored or as it is now? As for me I like Cars that are restored to like new Original condition.. I’d like an Amp like this restored to like new original condition as well…

That amp was in pretty rough shape.  For a dripedge Fender DR in rough shape, that amp was probably worth half of what it was worth in excellent condition, maybe a hair more.  A nice retolexing job like that with the new faceplate and new grillcloth and hardware won't increase its value much - maybe a few hundred bucks.  But that's about the only thing you can do.  

Not sure if the blueline grillcloth is period correct.  It's hard or impossible to find the actual stuff they were using then.

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Just now, badbluesplayer said:

That amp was in pretty rough shape.  For a dripedge Fender DR in rough shape, that amp was probably worth half of what it was worth in excellent condition, maybe a hair more.  A nice retolexing job like that with the new faceplate and new grillcloth and hardware won't increase its value much - maybe a few hundred bucks.  But that's about the only thing you can do.  

Not sure if the blueline grillcloth is period correct.  It's hard or impossible to find the actual stuff they were using then.

My Showman had automotive vinyl roof material covering it and '57 Chevy silver seatcover material for grill cloth, (I did it back in the 70's).

I sent it off to be completely recovered wit Tolex and correct grill cloth to match the new grill cloth on the speaker box, (the Tolex was good on it).

I don't recall who I sent it off to, (actually my luthier sent it).

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On 5/6/2023 at 7:25 PM, 10PoundLester said:

Done. Just need to make the back panels.

before%20and%20after.png

Nice!!!

That grillcloth is hard to do, isn't it?  I have an electric stapler and a good staple puller.  I usually have to pull and replace maybe six or eight staples as I tension the grillocloth and get it all stapled down and straight.  I'll get it roughly right and there will always be a few along each edge that are too tight or loose.  I'll have to go around it twice, adjusting staples as I go.

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5 hours ago, badbluesplayer said:

Nice!!!

That grillcloth is hard to do, isn't it?  I have an electric stapler and a good staple puller.  I usually have to pull and replace maybe six or eight staples as I tension the grillocloth and get it all stapled down and straight.  I'll get it roughly right and there will always be a few along each edge that are too tight or loose.  I'll have to go around it twice, adjusting staples as I go.

A heat gun helps. I hit the edges with it then the face. The electric stapler is a must, IMO.  I do a few inches in the center of each edge then work my way around. Putting the old drip-edge trim back on was brutal. My stapler wouldn't penetrate it so I had to use cut tacks to hold it on. It's pressed into the cab pretty snug but it didn't quite fit right. Can't tell though and I don't plan on taking the baffle back out again. I'm not interested in selling it so I won't have to point it out to anybody else. 🙂

Edited by 10PoundLester
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On 5/8/2023 at 6:18 PM, 10PoundLester said:

A heat gun helps. I hit the edges with it then the face. The electric stapler is a must, IMO.  I do a few inches in the center of each edge then work my way around. Putting the old drip-edge trim back on was brutal. My stapler wouldn't penetrate it so I had to use cut tacks to hold it on. It's pressed into the cab pretty snug but it didn't quite fit right. Can't tell though and I don't plan on taking the baffle back out again. I'm not interested in selling it so I won't have to point it out to anybody else. 🙂

How was the old drip edge held on there?  With tacks?  Staples?  I've never removed or replaced that stuff.

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