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1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22468] Sat, 21 February 2015 01:38 Go to next message
fightingplankton is currently offline  fightingplankton
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Location: USA
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Hey guys. I'm new to the kustom world. I've always wanted one but never had the $$. Just found a great deal($65) on a k200b-2 so i snagged it.
It has some issues.
1. new pot wired in that connects the volume knob and then the input jack on the bright channel.
2. NO reverb tank...this makes me sad.
3. Still has original ungrounded power cord.

I have read the thread on how to remove the "death cap" and replace the power cable, but cant find much information on where to connect the reverb tank once i purchase a replacement. as for the extra "gain" knob previous owner added, i'm just going to desolder it but leave it in place so i dont have an empty hole in the plexi.

And i would like to recommend adding "sticky" subjects to the "how-to repair" section so newbs like me can find the answers easily. You know, take the most common issues like cap replacement or blown speakers or whatever, and put them as sticky subjects at the front page.
Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22478 is a reply to message #22468] Sat, 21 February 2015 02:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message
fightingplankton is currently offline  fightingplankton
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http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae230/BubblePopElec/DSCN0356.jpg
http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae230/BubblePopElec/DSCN0354.jpg
http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae230/BubblePopElec/DSCN0355.jpg
http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae230/BubblePopElec/DSCN0357.jpg
http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae230/BubblePopElec/0220151904a.jpg
Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22479 is a reply to message #22468] Sat, 21 February 2015 02:02 Go to previous messageGo to next message
fightingplankton is currently offline  fightingplankton
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and of course these forums dont allow editing or deleting of your own posts...
Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22480 is a reply to message #22468] Sat, 21 February 2015 11:25 Go to previous messageGo to next message
chicagobill
Messages: 2005
Registered: April 2003
Senior Member
Welcome to the place! Cute amp cover you got there.

When you replace the ac power cord just follow what was done at the factory. Guide the cord in the back and around the filter caps and up to the fuse holder and power switch. Connect the white where the white was connected and the black where the black was connected and connect the green wire to the chassis with the screw that is being used to connect the ground cap, just above the switch. Obviously remove the orange ground cap from the amp.

As for the reverb tank, it mounts onto the two cross bars at the top edge of the chassis. On the effects channel, there are two pc mounted RCA jacks. Along with the new tank, you will need to get a couple of short shielded cables with RCA plugs on both ends to connect the tank to the board.

Let us know if you have any other questions.
Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22481 is a reply to message #22480] Sat, 21 February 2015 13:17 Go to previous messageGo to next message
fightingplankton is currently offline  fightingplankton
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Thank you. I saw the 4 holes on the bottom of the chassis and thought that's where the tank went. Then i watched a video on youtube and realized I was wrong. I cleaned and armorall-ed the enclosure and its now shiny as hell. The guy I bought it from says he has the original cab but doesn't know where the speakers are. I'm looking at getting some budget 8ohm 15's since he says he only has one of the cabs.
Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22482 is a reply to message #22481] Sat, 21 February 2015 14:14 Go to previous messageGo to next message
fightingplankton is currently offline  fightingplankton
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also, I can't get the tremolo to work. I don't have a multi meter to see where the issue is either Sad
Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22483 is a reply to message #22482] Sat, 21 February 2015 15:50 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Iowa Boy is currently offline  Iowa Boy
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Welcome to the site as well. As to finding a replacement reverb tank...good luck. I have been looking for 4 months and still haven't found one. There are a couple of threads on this site to tell you where to look, but as I understand it, there is not an after market replacement tank available.......hoping someone will prove me wrong. I have been watching ebay but none have been listed for quite awhile.

You will need to get a meter to start looking for your tremolo problem........your in luck with Radio Shack closing a lot of their stores. Don't buy the cheapest one they sell but something about mid price. The more functions, the better. Chicagobill or Stevem are our tech repair guys.....as well as the all knowing and amazing Pleat.

FYI......the reverb on these units is pretty lame when they even do work. You might want to opt out for a pedal if you seriously want true reverb and when you move the amps it really rattles like the devil; that's probably why the reverb tank is gone and you will have to have a footswitch to turn it off if you do find a tank ( turning the knob does not shut it off).

[Updated on: Sat, 21 February 2015 16:03]

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Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22484 is a reply to message #22483] Sat, 21 February 2015 17:33 Go to previous messageGo to next message
pleat is currently offline  pleat
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There has been much discussion on replacement reverb tanks on this site. I believe ChicagoBill has mentioned Accutronics 4FB2A1A as a replcement for the K200B series amps. The tank should be mounting with the input side opposite from the power transformer end.

I think the reverb quality really depends on how much road abuse the tank may have taken, or if the tank is still the original tank. After 40+ years, unless you've owned the amp since day one, you always run the risk of someone else getting their fingers in there and messing something up. Another thing to consider is, if the amp ever had the field updates done after the amp left the factory. I'm sure not every amp made it back to the factory or dealer for part changes to improve performance.
I've owned kustoms that had great reverbs and some with poor to very little reverb. Most times the amp had a tank that was not designed for the amp.

Best of luck,
pleat

Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22485 is a reply to message #22484] Sat, 21 February 2015 18:56 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Iowa Boy is currently offline  Iowa Boy
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I checked into that tank you mentioned Pleat and was told that it is no longer available. Can't remember what the company name was but think it was one mentioned on this site.
Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22486 is a reply to message #22485] Sat, 21 February 2015 20:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
pleat is currently offline  pleat
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I know I've had that number in my files for years, so may be time for a update on tanks.
pleat
Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22487 is a reply to message #22468] Sat, 21 February 2015 23:19 Go to previous messageGo to next message
fightingplankton is currently offline  fightingplankton
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so what is the "usual" cause for the trem not working? anything specific i should check/look for?
Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22488 is a reply to message #22468] Sat, 21 February 2015 23:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
chicagobill
Messages: 2005
Registered: April 2003
Senior Member
The original US made tanks were made here in Illinois by Accutronics, which was a part of Morley. They have since sold off the Accutronics reverb tank business to Belton a South Korean company.

The new Accutronics company no longer makes a 4FB tank. The closest is a 4EB tank which should work as a replacement.

The 4 is the code number for a long 16" tank with 4 springs. Two of the springs are connected into a longer spring, so it looks like there are 2 springs.

The E represents the input impedance and the B represents the output impedance.

The rest of the letters and numbers represent the delay time, in and out grounding, lock, and mounting position. The delay time and the grounding specs are important, but the mounting position is far less of a worry.

The new tanks sound fuller and darker compared to old tanks, so some will prefer the sound of one type over another. So the 4EB2C1B is the closest version available right now. And depending on which amp it is being used for, the input jack may or may not need to be modified.
Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22490 is a reply to message #22479] Sun, 22 February 2015 12:19 Go to previous messageGo to next message
stevem is currently offline  stevem
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You CAN delete and edit your postings on this site, look down to the lower right bottom of your post!
Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22491 is a reply to message #22468] Sun, 22 February 2015 12:25 Go to previous messageGo to next message
stevem is currently offline  stevem
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Since that amp has been messed with I would check the foot switch Jack and confirm that a intensional short has not been wired across the Tremolo section.
Does the Vibrato work ?
Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22493 is a reply to message #22468] Sun, 22 February 2015 16:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
fightingplankton is currently offline  fightingplankton
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none of the effects work.
reverb is missing its tank
and it only has tremolo/vibrato whatever you want to call it... and that doesnt work.
the jack seems normal.
Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22494 is a reply to message #22490] Sun, 22 February 2015 16:59 Go to previous messageGo to next message
fightingplankton is currently offline  fightingplankton
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stevem wrote on Sun, 22 February 2015 12:19
You CAN delete and edit your postings on this site, look down to the lower right bottom of your post!


you can only edit/delete posts that have not been responded to. once another post is made after it, it's locked in place.
Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22497 is a reply to message #22468] Sun, 22 February 2015 19:12 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Iowa Boy is currently offline  Iowa Boy
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Well guess you know now why you got the amp so cheap, besides the fact that the plex has been altered. Question now to consider is it worth spending the money on fixing it and do you feel comfortable working on it? ChicagoBill or Stevem would be the guys to repair it for you if your willing to spend the money on shipping in the event its more than you want to tackle.

I have a personal interest in what the answer is to your problems with your amp as well. I bought the same exact amp a while back for $145 and was told everything worked on it. Exact same problems as yours, no tank and none of the effects work. Bought it on Ebay so I disputed the sale; the seller crawled back into the woodwork and I didn't pay a dime for the amp. So I am debating to fix it or just use it for a back up amp for now. Even with no effects, it still works okay and sounds good with minimal idling noise.
Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22498 is a reply to message #22468] Sun, 22 February 2015 23:30 Go to previous messageGo to next message
chicagobill
Messages: 2005
Registered: April 2003
Senior Member
There are no shorting contacts on the footswitch jack. There are so many ways for the vibrato and reverb to not work, it will be hard to venture a guess as to why they aren't working. The actual effect circuit as well as the switching circuit can cause the effect to not work.

Not having the reverb tank makes long distance testing even harder. In my experience unless somebody has really messed with it, very few Kustom preamp repairs require much to fix them. Maybe a transistor or a cap and often just resoldering a bad solder joint.
Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22499 is a reply to message #22498] Mon, 23 February 2015 03:21 Go to previous messageGo to next message
fightingplankton is currently offline  fightingplankton
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I'm more than comfortable working on it. I actually build pedals. I just have never had a need to open an amp and what makes a pedal tick is vastly different than what makes an amp tick.
and I'm not super concerned if I cant get the effects working, because #1. I'm using it for my Fender bass Vi amp and #2, I have 30 effect pedals on my board...so it's not like i need the ones built in Wink

[Updated on: Mon, 23 February 2015 04:20]

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Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22500 is a reply to message #22468] Mon, 23 February 2015 06:30 Go to previous messageGo to next message
stevem is currently offline  stevem
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Well if your just using it for Bass than not having the reverb pan in the amp to clang around is a good thing, but that PC 303 board has been screwed with as you can see and since you confirmed that the foot switch Jack is ok than the isue with the rest of the non working effects is on that board!
So you build pedals from scratch, or do so with kits?
Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22501 is a reply to message #22500] Mon, 23 February 2015 12:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
fightingplankton is currently offline  fightingplankton
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stevem wrote on Mon, 23 February 2015 06:30
Well if your just using it for Bass than not having the reverb pan in the amp to clang around is a good thing, but that PC 303 board has been screwed with as you can see and since you confirmed that the foot switch Jack is ok than the isue with the rest of the non working effects is on that board!
So you build pedals from scratch, or do so with kits?


Well, I'm not using it for bass...its a Bass VI...so its really only got 2 strings that are lower than a guitar.

I have only ever built them from scratch, but have been eying a few kits. My problem is i always have to use larger size enclosures than other companies because i dont use PCBs. all of my pedals have been made on pref board...not even vero which would be way easier than what i do.
Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22502 is a reply to message #22468] Mon, 23 February 2015 14:56 Go to previous messageGo to next message
chicagobill
Messages: 2005
Registered: April 2003
Senior Member
I build stuff on perfboard all the time. Especially the one off stuff where I don't want to bother with laying out a pc board. With a Bass VI you got to have reverb at least and trem too for some stuff. I sat in with a band over the holidays and played the solo for Wichita Lineman on a Bass VI. Big, big sound.

You can start by looking for loose parts on the effects board, and you could start testing the transistors in the vibrato circuit. Go to the technical section of the site and look up the schematic for the effects board and start checking voltages.
Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22503 is a reply to message #22468] Tue, 24 February 2015 06:37 Go to previous messageGo to next message
stevem is currently offline  stevem
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The 4fb3a1b MOD brand tank from AES will work as I just got one yesterday, and it does, or did sound muddy as someone here posted about some months ago .
What I did to adress that was to flow medium gel type super glue down into the gap of the iron core and the transducer coil on each end of the pan.
The muddy ness was due to excessive clearance around the core which translates into wasted power / motion!
Next you will need long enough 6/32 machine screws and nylock type nuts to mount the tank, and if you hurry while radio shack is still open you can pick up a pack of grooved O rings to stuff into the tank mounting holes as the stock tank would have had.
I hear stuff there is like 80% off, so you might as well pick up the needed RCA cables to go along with the purchase!
Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22504 is a reply to message #22468] Tue, 24 February 2015 11:02 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Iowa Boy is currently offline  Iowa Boy
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Thanks ChicagoBill and Stevem; now we have two replacement tanks to choose from to replace the old one's.

Stevem has found us replacement blue switches.........now we need to come up with a replacement handle that matches the old ones. Smile
Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22505 is a reply to message #22468] Tue, 24 February 2015 20:39 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Kustom_Bart is currently offline  Kustom_Bart
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you can get handles all day long, just have to use your old mounts.

On the in amp effects, I personally don't use them, these amps take effects in front of them so well that it is the best way to go anyway. Run a multi effect pedal in front of the amp and you have every effect that you could ever need and it is adjustable and you can turn them all off and on, make patches, etc to suit the style of music that you are playing. The on board effects just aren't practical if you are playing more modern music (70's on up).
Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22507 is a reply to message #22468] Wed, 25 February 2015 06:13 Go to previous messageGo to next message
stevem is currently offline  stevem
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x2 on the effects pedal use in front of the amp!
Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22508 is a reply to message #22507] Wed, 25 February 2015 12:30 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Iowa Boy is currently offline  Iowa Boy
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Bart.......inserts for handles aren't the problem.....its when the entire hardware is gone that's where your screwed unless someone on ebay is selling one.
Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22510 is a reply to message #22508] Wed, 25 February 2015 16:51 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Kustom_Bart is currently offline  Kustom_Bart
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I know what you can and can't get, you can get the strap and insert, you need an old handle for doaner mounts is all. I have a 20 or so spare handles.

[Updated on: Wed, 25 February 2015 16:52]

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Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22513 is a reply to message #22510] Wed, 25 February 2015 22:39 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Iowa Boy is currently offline  Iowa Boy
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Are you talking about the metal handles that are on the 2-15 and 3-15 cabinets?
Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22583 is a reply to message #22513] Wed, 04 March 2015 01:58 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Kustom_Bart is currently offline  Kustom_Bart
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I am talking about the "Kustom" handle the one that they even put on top of some heads and on the sides of some PA heads and all of the cabs, all the same handle on anything with tuck and roll.
Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22606 is a reply to message #22513] Fri, 06 March 2015 22:55 Go to previous messageGo to next message
fightingplankton is currently offline  fightingplankton
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mine looks like the top one in this photo
http://www.bazaar-world.com/uploads/amp/36/200125049762-1.jpg
Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22609 is a reply to message #22468] Sat, 07 March 2015 11:02 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Iowa Boy is currently offline  Iowa Boy
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The point I was trying to make, and maybe there is and I've missed it, is there a "new" replacement handle available that looks like the original? I didn't think there was.
Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22630 is a reply to message #22468] Tue, 10 March 2015 03:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Kustom_Bart is currently offline  Kustom_Bart
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Yes except for how they mount, you cut the mount off the new handle and drill the hammer rivet out of your old handle, steel wool it up and polish it and install it on the new handle strap with new insert in it. At one time we bought a bunch as a group a few guys here did. You can get them here, http://www.brettunsvillage.com/trunks/howto/parts/schandles. htm scroll down to part number SCH10 those are what you want. You can also take the inserts out of the new handles and install them into the old frames and they install with screws, they are also a much better molding design and will not break like the old design did, they have far better support.

[Updated on: Tue, 10 March 2015 03:04]

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Re: 1968-69 k200b-2 [message #22634 is a reply to message #22468] Tue, 10 March 2015 18:53 Go to previous message
Iowa Boy is currently offline  Iowa Boy
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Hey thanks for the heads up on the handles. I'm missing two complete sets of handles and thought about buying a couple of junk cabinets just for the handles. Now I know where to get new replacement ones. Info greatly appreciated.
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