Removing Valve Jr. Backcover ??

[Fadedepi]

Hey Guys,

 

I picked up a VJr. head yesterday. It's a Ver.#3 and I can not (at least yet) remove the backcover. There were 7 screws around the cover, removed them all; thinking the cover would come off fairly easy. Not so, it seems as though Epi has now applied some sort of glue to the cover. So far, I've used a small metal scale (ruler) 1/64" thick and slipped it in between the seam which seperates the back and the sides of the box. I get some resistance in spots. Like it's been tack glued in certain spots around the cover. Is this something new that you know of? In most of my readings, there seems to be no trouble removing the backs. Anyone know for sure what' up?...... HELP !!

 

Still working at it, Faded...

[TWANG]

the later ones seem to be sloppier as far as glue. I don't believe it's intentional on anyones part.

I use a credit card sometimes.. and go all around the seam..

that's as far as you can go..

so I try to pry using my fingertips at the leg ends.. once you get some 'angle' on the thing it will start to pull off.

I've never had one tear any tolex out at the head or on the panel.. the biggest risk is trying to pry it off and then tearing the side you

pry against.

But she'll come for sure if you just worry it.. IOW keep prying with firm pressure using fingers.. and gently prying with something soft and as wide/flat as possible. Eventually patience will out!

 

and here's my latest

and it's noisy again.

man. I'm so ticked.

[Fadedepi]

Twang,

 

Thanks for responding. I was hoping you would. Yeah, this thing was really glued on there!! Patience and determination paid off. I got the back cover off and took a pic, electronics look nothing like yours. I do plan on doing some more mods. Right now I replaced the 12AX7-EH, with a 5751. (knocks the gain down from 100% to 70%) I like a real clean channel, before adding Compression, OD, Distortion, Chorus and Reverb pedals. I'm runnig through a single 10" cab, that I built right now. I haven't had the time to play with it, since I put the different pre-amp tube in.

 

Faded...

 

 

[TWANG]

I've got two stock black boards saved up. and a green board I filled up with new parts.

I've got the 5751 in the vj I play most often and it's my fave tube there.. cGil turned me to that one.

 

I have to say the stock board done right isn't far off to my ears from the boards I make. but way harder to get right.

 

cool beans on the darn panel.. they can be a drag.

The BH5 I have here was harder still, but came off.

 

I hope you go with the one mod at a time idea.. you really learn a lot. Just don't let impatience or desire rush you forward..

and learn to take notes.

I find that if I keep a small notebook for each amp I get through it a lot better. Records of what goes wrong. how fixed. test numbers as

you swap components.. it really does a good job of helping focus.

 

Also, don't overboard stuff.. like if you don't need five watts.. don't use five watts.

and ask about things.. like which type resistors in which spots.. carbon film, flameproof, metal oxide, etc.

 

Be careful, and have fun.

[jefrs]

Sorry but I couldn't help thinking that if you can't figure how to get the back off then maybe you shouldn't be poking about in there: electricity is actually lethal - risk of death.

[TWANG]

ah you're being too harsh.

lots of people worry about how the panel fits on and how to get it off.

I think it's really good sense. They are using caution. the first sign of intelligence.. or at least the one most likely to let you survive.

people just don't want to tear the tolex.

 

and I got my noisy amp t shut up finally!!

whoopee!

and she's sounding great.

 

TWANG

[jefrs]

Perhaps I'm being over-cautious, no intent to be unkind - trying to preserve their health, but sometimes I see these questions and think omg.

 

1) have all the screws been removed.

 

2) use a bigger hammer.

[TWANG]

they slop that glue in sometimes. I guess it depends on whose working the assembly line that week.

 

I used to build washing machines..

 

you may have one.. check your inspection card, I always signed John Lennon or Mick Jagger. *G*

 

and it was the same thing.. some guys took care to do things well and others just slopped their way through machine after machine.

 

After having worked on several assembly lines in my life, I always giggle when people brag about american manufacturing.

Because it seemed to me the real genius was in a design that was so good even mean monkeys couldn't screw it up.

[Fadedepi]

jefrs,

 

Thanks for your concern. My question was due to limited knowledge of the Valve Jr. I've been inside a few amps in the past, mainly Fender and Vox. I had never encountered an issue with glue. A tight fit, yes but; never an issue with the back panel being glued in place. I had hoped TWANG would answer back, which he did and was correct; a very sloppy glue job.

 

Thanks, TWANG and jefrs

[RSDx]

jefrs' date='

 

Thanks for your concern. My question was due to limited knowledge of the Valve Jr. I've been inside a few amps in the past, mainly Fender and Vox. I had never encountered an issue with glue. A tight fit, yes but; never an issue with the back panel being glued in place. I had hoped TWANG would answer back, which he did and was correct; a very sloppy glue job.

 

Thanks, TWANG and jefrs

[/quote'] Yup. sloppy glue job....... but, fwiw, the back panel was much harder to remove from my old old old v1 combo than from my v3 head....fwiw. Perhaps my head was assembled before the noon beer break, or something ...