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Newbie needs help [message #12327] Mon, 09 November 2009 13:26 Go to next message
theone is currently offline  theone
Messages: 7
Registered: November 2009
Junior Member
I'm a newbie to this community as well as the Kustom family. While hitting up some garage sales this past weekend I stumbled onto a Kustom amp. The people wanted to get rid of it (hardly used by the "black sheep" of the family) and told me to make an offer. I offered $20 dollars and they said. "sold!" Couldn't believe it!

According to the model number on the back,it's a Kustom K100C-8 with gold the gold tuck and roll. It sounds great (already played my Nord through it), but needs to be cleaned up a bit.

When I turn the bass knobs, there is a "bassy" noise. It seems to me that it needs to be cleaned from the inside out. I believe I can do the cleaning inside, but I'd like to have a schematic if one's available.

Also, I've noticed some are not in favor of re-covering the originals, but I'd really like to have this amp match (or as close as possible) my Nord Electro-3.

Ideas?

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Re: Newbie needs help [message #12328 is a reply to message #12327] Mon, 09 November 2009 15:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jc is currently offline  Jc
Messages: 217
Registered: March 2000
Location: N.W. Chicago Suburb
Senior Member
Welcome ~ I'm sure someone will step up soon with a schematic. As far as recovering - It's your amp and you can do what you'd like. But if the Tuck and Roll is in good shape - You might want to offer the case for a switch out to someone who's tuck and roll is already a bit trashed. It would be a nice gesture and would go far with these guys when or if you ever need additional help. jc

[Updated on: Mon, 09 November 2009 15:34]

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Re: Newbie needs help [message #12330 is a reply to message #12327] Mon, 09 November 2009 19:24 Go to previous messageGo to next message
theone is currently offline  theone
Messages: 7
Registered: November 2009
Junior Member
Thanks for the info. I'l keep that in mind.

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Re: Newbie needs help [message #12334 is a reply to message #12330] Mon, 09 November 2009 22:40 Go to previous messageGo to next message
pleat is currently offline  pleat
Messages: 1452
Registered: June 2004
Location: Belding, Mi
Senior Member
Welcome to the site. I'd suggest just spray cleaning all the controls with a control cleaner. Brings most amps right back to life. On the subject of recovering, I think you'll find it really a hard thing to duplicate. Part of the secret is the foam kustom used to get the look just right. JC has a good point, keep it original, clean it up the best you can and then see if someone has one in a different color that would be willing to swap the cabinet. I think I can get you a black case in nice shape. There is a difference in the cabinets between the K100-8 and a K150-8.
Basic the same cabinet, but the cut out for the speaker jack are in different locations.
pleat

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Re: Newbie needs help [message #12336 is a reply to message #12327] Tue, 10 November 2009 16:54 Go to previous messageGo to next message
theone is currently offline  theone
Messages: 7
Registered: November 2009
Junior Member
Thanks for the help guys! I think I'll keep it the way it is and avoid potential hassles. I'll get that cleaner soon as I get off work! Very Happy

BTW: I took it to church Saturday and hooked it up my Hammond-Laptop setup and that baby just singed! They loved it!

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Re: Newbie needs help [message #12340 is a reply to message #12327] Wed, 11 November 2009 15:10 Go to previous messageGo to next message
theone is currently offline  theone
Messages: 7
Registered: November 2009
Junior Member
Quick question,

I tried to get behind the knobs last night to clean them up and tighten the rattling sound I heard in the amp. I couldn't get to the back of the knobs. I took the back off, but that is as far as I've gotten. Do I need to take off something else to access the transistors?

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Re: Newbie needs help [message #12341 is a reply to message #12327] Wed, 11 November 2009 15:35 Go to previous messageGo to next message
stevem is currently offline  stevem
Messages: 4733
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY
Senior Member
The controls/poteniohmeters have to have cleaner sprayed in them from the rear of them, which means sliding the chassi eout.
To do this you have to remove the 4- 10/32" machine screws that go into the chassie from the speaker side of the cabinet that the chassie sits on.
Some times these controls are mounted in a position that calls for the need of a flexible tube to get the cleaner sprayed into the comtrol opening at the 3 treminal connection point, so at times the straight tube some cleaners come with is usless and then you have to un mount the controls from the chassie to get the job done.

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icon10.gif  Re: Newbie needs help [message #12342 is a reply to message #12327] Wed, 11 November 2009 16:09 Go to previous messageGo to next message
theone is currently offline  theone
Messages: 7
Registered: November 2009
Junior Member
I can't tell you guys how much this helps and how appreciative I am. I'll post some pics (or a link) soon to show what progress I'm making! Thanks again!

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Re: Newbie needs help [message #12346 is a reply to message #12340] Wed, 11 November 2009 22:32 Go to previous messageGo to next message
pleat is currently offline  pleat
Messages: 1452
Registered: June 2004
Location: Belding, Mi
Senior Member
The rattling sound are the springs in the reverb tank. There may one of them that is not connected. It will be easier to remove the tank, to get it out of the way to spray the controls. If you unplug the cables, make sure you mark them to make sure you hook it back up the right way.
pleat

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Re: Newbie needs help [message #12348 is a reply to message #12327] Thu, 12 November 2009 13:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
theone is currently offline  theone
Messages: 7
Registered: November 2009
Junior Member
Pleat,

I took it apart last night and started cleaning up the inside. The rattling did come from the reverb tank. Both of the springs are connected; one is bit looser than the other allowing it to hit the bottom of the tray. Other than that, everything was fine. Cleaned the pots, boards, etc. I'll probably replace the fiberglass insulation next...that stuff was a bit of a pain.

Also, I didn't know it was going to be that difficult to find a replacement light for the front! Some of the local lighting companies looked at me like I was crazy.

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Re: Newbie needs help [message #12349 is a reply to message #12348] Thu, 12 November 2009 13:22 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jc is currently offline  Jc
Messages: 217
Registered: March 2000
Location: N.W. Chicago Suburb
Senior Member
Gotta love it!

The amp was DESIGNED to run at a 4 ohm load. That appeared to be the question. And I agree you can run any load you want in the cab - But why not use the amp as it was designed. 4 ohm speakers are available so why not put the RIGHT speaker in the cab!

jc

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Re: Newbie needs help [message #12354 is a reply to message #12327] Fri, 13 November 2009 06:08 Go to previous messageGo to next message
stevem is currently offline  stevem
Messages: 4733
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY
Senior Member
Jc, he has a K100-8 and all the 100 and the latter 150 models have a output stage designed to run a 8 ohm load!

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Re: Newbie needs help [message #12364 is a reply to message #12354] Fri, 13 November 2009 22:02 Go to previous messageGo to next message
pleat is currently offline  pleat
Messages: 1452
Registered: June 2004
Location: Belding, Mi
Senior Member
The SC series (self contained amp and speakers housed in one cabinet) K100SC and K150SC along with the K100-1 and K100-2 amps run at 8 ohms. The later slant face piggy back K150 amps ran at a 4 ohm load. It gets a bit confusing when tossing out the K150 since Kustom had two different K150 models.
The K150 slant face was offered with a 2x12 or the larger single 15 and horn speaker cabinet.
pleat.

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Re: Newbie needs help [message #12554 is a reply to message #12327] Mon, 28 December 2009 17:02 Go to previous messageGo to next message
theone is currently offline  theone
Messages: 7
Registered: November 2009
Junior Member
Hey guys,

I mentioned that I'd take pics of the amp. Copy this link into your browser to check out my gold tuck and roll. If that frog is in one of the pics, it means nothing...I had a hard time deleting him out of my album! Very Happy

http://picasaweb.google.com/robcoffeyjr/Amplifier?authkey=Gv 1sRgCLzXs56cyvfkuQE&feat=directlink

BTW, do you guys know the wattage of the speakers in this cab? I'm guessing 25W each?


Thanks!

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Re: Newbie needs help [message #12557 is a reply to message #12327] Tue, 29 December 2009 06:10 Go to previous messageGo to next message
stevem is currently offline  stevem
Messages: 4733
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY
Senior Member
The latter K150 non combo slant face amps are marked with a stamped plastic ring round its output jack that states "6 to 8 ohm output"!
My testing of the two such models of mine confirm that the amp will output 79 watts rms into a 8 ohm load, and only 61 watts rms into a 4 ohm load. Note that this is only 20 some watts rmd less than a k200 A or B model.

AS far as the needed wattage rating for replacement speakers go, 50 watts each is fine. this will let the speakers survive if the amps output stage shorts out and dumps the full 40 VDC from the power supply into the speakers.

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Re: Newbie needs help [message #12560 is a reply to message #12557] Tue, 29 December 2009 11:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
LesS is currently offline  LesS
Messages: 477
Registered: December 2002
Senior Member
Just my two cents..........
The stock speakers (67-6945 8 ohm) are light duty speakers in my opinion - maybe can handle 25 watts RMS each tops.
Kustom wired the speakers in series so the K100C-8 amp was only putting out about 30-35 watts anyway.

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Re: Newbie needs help [message #12563 is a reply to message #12327] Tue, 29 December 2009 14:31 Go to previous message
Shaun_Musings is currently offline  Shaun_Musings
Messages: 323
Registered: April 2009
Location: Reading, MA
Senior Member
Your amp is incredibly cool! I really think the gold tuck and roll is in good shape. I noticed you said a 'bassy' sound when you start it up. I just did this with my Kustom 200A4 head (Same make and model as Creedence Clearwater Revival)... change your two pronged electrical cord to a grounded three prong. Trust me: it eliminated a LOT of humming...

Shaun

Born on the Baaaaayou (Ok, in Massachusetts)

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