ramrod250 Messages: 32 Registered: January 2011 Location: Germantown, Wisconsin
Member
Hello everyone,
Back again after a long absence.
I recently took a flyer on a Kustom II-1 that I saw on eBay. It was listed from a pawn shop, and described as being in good working order. When the price was lowered, I decided to take a shot at it.
Serial number is 126456, so I guess it is from the first half of 1975.
Trouble is, I get no output from it, other than a loud buzz/hum that sounds like a short of some kind. I opened it up, and it looks nice and clean inside, with nothing physically obvious that's wrong. It was packed well, and though it's quite heavy, there was no evidence of a shipping issue.
I haven't done any electrical testing as yet, and frankly, I am really limited in what I might accomplish there anyway. Lacking visual clues, are there any simple things I could check, aside from the obvious things like loose connectors/wires etc.?
Jim Haught
Jim Haught
Creedence + Kustom: a great combination.
pleat Messages: 1452 Registered: June 2004 Location: Belding, Mi
Senior Member
Jim, I'm not a tech but I'd start with the white Molex connectors that connects the circuit boards to one another. Most issues I've had with any of the Kustom amps that used those connectors are with the plugs. A good cleaning will normally get the amp back up and running.
pleat
ramrod250 Messages: 32 Registered: January 2011 Location: Germantown, Wisconsin
Member
Thanks, Don. I didn't see any evidence of bad connections but I might give all of them, and the pots, a good hose-down with contact cleaner, just in case.
Jim Haught
Creedence + Kustom: a great combination.
stevem Messages: 4735 Registered: June 2004 Location: NY
Senior Member
If you have a volt meter set it for DC volts and hook it up across the speaker, does it read a voltage, if so that's not good and I would concider sending the amp back and get your money refunded!
ramrod250 Messages: 32 Registered: January 2011 Location: Germantown, Wisconsin
Member
Update: I unplugged all connectors and hosed them (and the pots) down with contact cleaner. Gave them the weekend to dry out, then plugged everything back together. No change. Checked voltage on speakers and it was minimal and inconsistent at that. Looks like a tech visit is in order. Still get a loud hum with a bit of crackle in it, and no evidence of output from the plugged-in guitar. No evidence of scorching/burning inside.
Jim Haught
Creedence + Kustom: a great combination.