ASK SKIP
AMP HANDLE REPAIR � Skip Simmons
Hello Skip, I am writing you about a 1957 Fender Champ repair. The handle is busted and I don’ t know where to get an authentic 1950’ s handle to replace it. I’ m wondering if this is something you’ ve got a source for and could you install if I shipped you the amp? I think the amp sounds great and after reading your articles I don’ t plan to replace any of the parts, but if I sent it to you what would you do to make it sound better? Thanks, Matt
Hello Matt- Thanks for writing, but I don’ t have a source for an actual vintage handle. Most repro handles are junk, but I’ ve seen two companies( Brookwood Leather and El Dorado Straps) whose products are excellent quality. I’ ve also had good luck with taking the original handle to a shoe-repair shop and having them make a copy of it. The handle is held on with four wood screws and is easy to change yourself.
I am glad that the amp sounds good and I certainly agree that you could just go ahead and run it as-is, but what I do is service the amp along with assessing all the components in it. Almost every old amp can benefit from a tuneup and oil change, so to speak. If you decide to wait on any servicing, be sure to check the fuse. The proper value( 1 ampere) will protect the circuit in the event of a component failure. If you fire it up one day and it doesn’ t sound as good as it used to, give me a call! ~
Skip, I just got hold of a 1956 Gibson GA6 that looks to be pretty much all there except for maybe some tubes. I think it sounds great for harmonica and guitar. It does hum a bit and, looking in the back, there appears to be oily spots by many of the components. It can only go so high in volume and I know that may be normal. I would love to have this thing in top shape. I see you have worked on them. Do you think you could help it out some? Thanks, Steve
Hello Steve- You bet! That is a cool old amp and your photo of the amp chassis shows that they can still sound good with a bunch old leaky wax capacitors! Your Gibson( unlike many Fenders) uses coupling and electrolytic capacitors that are almost always defective by now, and I would suggest replacing them along with some good servicing. Labor would likely in the $ 100 range but I’ m sure that the amp would be more reliable and sound even better afterwards. I would only need to see the amp chassis, which is easy and affordable to ship. ~
Got a question for Skip? Email him at SkipSimmonsAmps @ Gmail. com
16 Jul � Aug 2016 CollectibleGuitar. com