On 31 Aug 2006 15:32:10 -0700, "Jammer" wrote:

JP....

I'd go along with what's been suggested so far...though I might
suggest a good isolation transformer, a fused (read: circuit-breakered)
outlet right at-hand, and any DIY guitar amp repair literature you
can lay your hands on. There's one fellow's books come to mind, but
darned if I can't remember his name off the top of my head, he's
written
several books on amp repair and effects-building and repair.
THAT'S lucrative, a purist will pay boatloads for restoring his 1965
Jimi Hendrix
fuzzbox and such, so keep transistorized circuitry in mind as well.

A good lighted magnifying gizmo is always handy.

There are a multitude of musical instrument repair websites; the fun
part is, as with boatanchors, digging up parts. And schematics, tho'
many are available on the 'net. Reverse-engineering skills will come
in
handy, too. Consider apprenticing yourself to a local repair guru;
you'll learn more in less time than you can imagine, PLUS you'll have
access to tools to do the job with.

Homeowners & fire insurance is a good bet as well....

Good luck, and Rock On, JP.

Terry Bakowski

ps
try an Amazon.com search on 'Craig Anderton....', I think that's
the name I'm trying to remember. Also check out: PC-based
osciloscopes, there are several freebie downloads for them. And if
anyone knows how to set up a rig to measure transconductance using a
'scope..please let me know.
It shouldn't be THAT difficult...er..should it? G
Well, I guess if it was that easy, everyone would have one... I am
half way through my second repair book and am starting to line up
tools for a future bench. I am a hobbyist at this time but might get
into a job thing later if it starts to pay off. I enjoy it at this
level. It's kind od fun to listen to some of those tube amps and being
able to hear things others miss while they are listening to the words.
A lot of brands have their own "signature sound" and I like trying to
figure out what they are and what has been done to them. Hearing isn't
what it used to be but I can still tell a Marshall from a Vox. And
since I am a diabled vet living in a small town on a small fixed
income, I have found that I can pursue this by computer and book.
There is one old radio guy around here but as far as I know, that's
about it. I need to go buy his place and see what he does one of these
days. Caught him slipping out of an auction with an old tube radio
under his arm he had just bought for nothing. He looked like he was
stealing something...so I stopped him and got his address. Guess he
got a real deal on that radio.You'd have thought he had bought a gold
bar!.... so I figure there is something to be gained from this, maybe
some money but mostly some pleasure. I never was that much of a guitar
player but always have had one. And after spending time trying to
change the sound of the guitar came to the conclusion that the amp is
"the sound"! so I am now on that trail.... what the hell, beats
waiting for the "Rockford Files" to come on TV!

J.P. wrote:
On 31 Aug 2006 15:32:10 -0700, "Jammer" wrote:

JP....

I'd go along with what's been suggested so far...though I might
suggest a good isolation transformer, a fused (read: circuit-breakered)
outlet right at-hand, and any DIY guitar amp repair literature you
can lay your hands on. There's one fellow's books come to mind, but
darned if I can't remember his name off the top of my head, he's
written
several books on amp repair and effects-building and repair.
THAT'S lucrative, a purist will pay boatloads for restoring his 1965
Jimi Hendrix
fuzzbox and such, so keep transistorized circuitry in mind as well.

A good lighted magnifying gizmo is always handy.

There are a multitude of musical instrument repair websites; the fun
part is, as with boatanchors, digging up parts. And schematics, tho'
many are available on the 'net. Reverse-engineering skills will come
in
handy, too. Consider apprenticing yourself to a local repair guru;
you'll learn more in less time than you can imagine, PLUS you'll have
access to tools to do the job with.

Homeowners & fire insurance is a good bet as well....

Good luck, and Rock On, JP.

Terry Bakowski

ps
try an Amazon.com search on 'Craig Anderton....', I think that's
the name I'm trying to remember. Also check out: PC-based
osciloscopes, there are several freebie downloads for them. And if
anyone knows how to set up a rig to measure transconductance using a
'scope..please let me know.
It shouldn't be THAT difficult...er..should it? G
Well, I guess if it was that easy, everyone would have one... I am
half way through my second repair book and am starting to line up
tools for a future bench. I am a hobbyist at this time but might get
into a job thing later if it starts to pay off. I enjoy it at this
level. It's kind od fun to listen to some of those tube amps and being
able to hear things others miss while they are listening to the words.
A lot of brands have their own "signature sound" and I like trying to
figure out what they are and what has been done to them. Hearing isn't
what it used to be but I can still tell a Marshall from a Vox. And
since I am a diabled vet living in a small town on a small fixed
income, I have found that I can pursue this by computer and book.
There is one old radio guy around here but as far as I know, that's
about it. I need to go buy his place and see what he does one of these
days. Caught him slipping out of an auction with an old tube radio
under his arm he had just bought for nothing. He looked like he was
stealing something...so I stopped him and got his address. Guess he
got a real deal on that radio.You'd have thought he had bought a gold
bar!.... so I figure there is something to be gained from this, maybe
some money but mostly some pleasure. I never was that much of a guitar
player but always have had one. And after spending time trying to
change the sound of the guitar came to the conclusion that the amp is
"the sound"! so I am now on that trail.... what the hell, beats
waiting for the "Rockford Files" to come on TV!

I'm not encouraging crossposting, but there are much more appropriate
newsgroups for this thread. Foremost, I would try
sci.electronics.repair. There are a number of people there who probably
have more experience with what you are trying to do, than here. For
specifics, like tube test equipment, try rec.antiques.radio+phono.
You're getting some pertinent advice here, but it's way off-topic.

In fact, I'm sure there are even more topical newsgroups specific to
guitars and amplifiers, I just don't subscribe to any of them.

jak

"jakdedert" wrote in message
.. .

In fact, I'm sure there are even more topical newsgroups specific to
guitars and amplifiers, I just don't subscribe to any of them.

jak


alt.guitar.amps should be good.

Frank Dresser

You're the second person,so far, that has suggested I get a scope
first. What scopr would you suggest. I like name brands but am not
stuck on them. I just want accurate readings.

Just about any scope is good enough for audio work. Dual trace scopes are
better than single trace scopes, but dual trace isn't absolutely necessary.

There are now tons of perfectly adaquate TV shop 5 Mhz scopes out there at
give away prices.

Frank Dresser

On Sat, 02 Sep 2006 07:55:27 GMT, "Frank Dresser"
wrote:


"jakdedert" wrote in message
. ..

In fact, I'm sure there are even more topical newsgroups specific to
guitars and amplifiers, I just don't subscribe to any of them.

jak


alt.guitar.amps should be good.

Frank Dresser

Might figure I have asked this question there also but sometimes, even
if off topic, it pays to ask a question where you might get the best
answer, at the risk of being flamed, of course. Alt.guitar.amps is a
good place when you get real answers but also serves as an amateur
boxing ring for political issues and trolling parlor...