Home » VintageKustom.com » Repairing Kustom Amps » K200Bx Family 3 prong conversion (Unless you like the shocks.....)
K200Bx Family 3 prong conversion [message #26447] Mon, 25 December 2017 00:13 Go to next message
DeadKoby is currently offline  DeadKoby
Messages: 35
Registered: August 2017
Location: Cleveland, OH
Member
I got tired of the shocks.... So I did the conversion. No more shocks, and less noise to boot.

In case any rookies would like to see a "How To" video, you can watch mine. I was in "learn as you go" mode.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rcRy-9hg34


All your electrons are belong to us.
Re: K200Bx Family 3 prong conversion [message #26656 is a reply to message #26447] Sun, 01 April 2018 16:27 Go to previous messageGo to next message
DonTpanic is currently offline  DonTpanic
Messages: 2
Registered: April 2018
Junior Member
New member, long time lurker here.
I wanted to say thanks for the videos on the K200. They were fun and informative. Now I know what to expect when I open mine up.
I've had a K250 for a few years now, and I got it with a 3 prong already added, so I never had to do this.
I've just acquired a K200-A1 head and 2x15 cab...it looks to be an unmolested example of these amps, including a 2 pronged cord.
Nice work!

[Updated on: Sun, 01 April 2018 16:29]

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Re: K200Bx Family 3 prong conversion [message #26660 is a reply to message #26656] Tue, 03 April 2018 23:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
DonTpanic is currently offline  DonTpanic
Messages: 2
Registered: April 2018
Junior Member
Alright...even though my amp is a little older than the one in the video, and looks a little different inside cosmetically, everything went smoothly for me. I ordered a 3 prong vacuum cleaner replacement cord from amazon. It was 50 feet long...key word, "was". I was able to use the original strain relief grommet thing...barely. The cord looks much like the original, but slightly thicker to accommodate the added conductor wire. It seems to have quieted things down a bit during power up. I'm a happy camper....thanks again.
I'd post pictures, but I'm a noob, and probably can't.
I'll try the link to the power cord I used...

Fail.

Looks like I'm going to be making a light duty 30ish foot black extension cord soon.

[Updated on: Tue, 03 April 2018 23:35]

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Re: K200Bx Family 3 prong conversion [message #27802 is a reply to message #26447] Sat, 04 July 2020 12:54 Go to previous messageGo to next message
rodak
Messages: 511
Registered: October 2001
Location: Georgia
Senior Member
Reviving an old thread - Have any sources for a better 3-wire power cord replacement come up? I bought one many years ago, I think it was a Bissel, paid about $25 for it. It worked, but yeah, it was thick, and getting it comfortably seated with the strain relief was a bit of a challenge. I see there's one on Amazon now for $18, 50' long, probably the same one mentioned here.

Thought I'd check here first to see if there were any better choices before I order one (or two).


www.combo-organ.com
Re: K200Bx Family 3 prong conversion [message #27956 is a reply to message #26447] Wed, 06 January 2021 00:13 Go to previous messageGo to next message
DaveM is currently offline  DaveM
Messages: 2
Registered: January 2021
Junior Member
Hi. new to the forum and vintage Kustom. Your Video was EXACTLY what I was looking for! Thank you! Looks exactly the same as my 1969 k100c8, although I have the reverb in the way before I can upgrade the cord to three prong.

two questions now that I'm at it! what does that 3 way toggle switch do on the back of the amp? Left means left side controls? right means right side controls? center position? and, why do Kustom amps have 4 inputs on the front?

Thanks!! Dave in CA
Re: K200Bx Family 3 prong conversion [message #27957 is a reply to message #26447] Wed, 06 January 2021 06:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
stevem is currently offline  stevem
Messages: 4728
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY
Senior Member
Hi Dave and welcome !

The switch on the rear of all K100 models be they Kustom or from the later Kasino line is the on off switch just like what is on the front of all Kustom 200 models .

They have left and right on positions because when turned on to one side a cap gets placed in parallel to ground off of one leg of the wall power (AC input) and in the other on position this cap grounding does not take place.

In the days before ac cable ends started to be made with two different prong sizes ( before your amps time ) which guaranteed unfortunately that the cablebcould be plugged in either way , this type of on/ off / on switch set up was needed to kill the 60 HZ buzz noise that you get out of the amp when you are not touching the strings.

Fender and tons of other tube amps had a separate ground lift switch that accomplished this same thing.

The bad thing about this cap & switch set up is that in one position you could get a 60 volt or so shock if you touched another item of audio equipment that had its ground set the other way.

I have been hit 100s of times in my life by this maylay and I am still here to talk about because it will not kill you, just wake you up like mad especially if the voltage grounding point is your lips on you vocal Mic by means of your guitar strings, lol!

In terms of the two input jacks on each channel on the front of plexiglass face 100 and 200 models ( other then the 100 or 200 4 channel pa head) these jacks are for brite or normal tones changes ,not different gain levels like on Tube amps, or for that matter all of the 1971 and latter Kustom K150 and K250 metal face amps.

Dave when you new to this site I have to approve your post before they go up until you have had 5 approved postings.

To speed this up if you like make 5 post in a row that say test , and I will put them up and then delete them in one shot.

[Updated on: Wed, 06 January 2021 07:27]

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Re: K200Bx Family 3 prong conversion [message #27958 is a reply to message #27957] Wed, 06 January 2021 12:17 Go to previous messageGo to next message
DaveM is currently offline  DaveM
Messages: 2
Registered: January 2021
Junior Member
Copy that. Thanks for the great information! What an awesome resource online! as if I didn't like the white sparkle amp enough!
Re: K200Bx Family 3 prong conversion [message #28306 is a reply to message #27958] Fri, 20 August 2021 07:43 Go to previous message
MrShake is currently offline  MrShake
Messages: 22
Registered: August 2021
Junior Member
I know I'm a little late to the party (just a few years...) but wanted to join the chorus saying thank you for the series of K200 repair videos. Took some nasty shocks from an old Sano in my youth due to improper grounding, so I was delighted to be able make this one safe, and to do it myself. Thanks to your info (some of, if not the best, Kustom content on YouTube), I managed to get an old 200B-1 head breathing again. Really helpful, detailed, and informative - my wife and I have rewatched several times! Much appreciated!
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