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Owenr's Manual for Kustom Combo Amp [message #16417] Tue, 15 November 2011 16:56 Go to next message
KLach
Messages: 4
Registered: November 2011
Junior Member
Someone just gave me their father's old Kustom amp, model V-L. I have the schematic for it but not the manual. It looks like it might be 35 Watts, combo, enclosed case, maybe 15", with the words 'Lead V" on the front. Could you please help me locate an owner's manual for it? Thanks!

Re: Owenr's Manual for Kustom Combo Amp [message #16418 is a reply to message #16417] Tue, 15 November 2011 18:12 Go to previous messageGo to next message
stevem is currently offline  stevem
Messages: 4728
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY
Senior Member
Hi, your only hope would be to find one on ebay, but these amps where darn straight foward as to how they work, the only quest ions you may have would be for jacks and such on the rear panel and if you need a foot switch to turn on the reverb for example.
If you do have questions post them in the forums tech section.
Re: Owenr's Manual for Kustom Combo Amp [message #16419 is a reply to message #16418] Wed, 16 November 2011 11:22 Go to previous messageGo to next message
KLach
Messages: 4
Registered: November 2011
Junior Member
Thanks. One concern: it does not have a grounded power cord, only a two-prong. Not many things back then had grounded cords so I assume it is safe to use.
Re: Owenr's Manual for Kustom Combo Amp [message #16421 is a reply to message #16417] Wed, 16 November 2011 20:14 Go to previous messageGo to next message
stevem is currently offline  stevem
Messages: 4728
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY
Senior Member
You will stand a chance of getting a shock from it then.
Re: Owenr's Manual for Kustom Combo Amp [message #16481 is a reply to message #16417] Wed, 30 November 2011 02:15 Go to previous messageGo to next message
businessphones is currently offline  businessphones
Messages: 1
Registered: November 2011
Location: Glenpool
Junior Member
How come it is safe to use???? When you don't have grounded power cords!!

Re: Owenr's Manual for Kustom Combo Amp [message #16482 is a reply to message #16481] Wed, 30 November 2011 08:02 Go to previous messageGo to next message
pleat is currently offline  pleat
Messages: 1452
Registered: June 2004
Location: Belding, Mi
Senior Member
The amp has a two way on/center off switch. Turning on the amp in either direction will operate. The problem is, if the switch on the guitar amp is turned on one direction for example, and a microphone is connected to a PA sand the polarity is opposite, you will get a shock, or playing the guitar barefoot on cement is another way to get shocked. Back then as long as every amp was using the same AC outlet and all the kustom amps power switches turned on the same direction, there was little chance of getting a shock. The best way to insure safe operation is to replace the original AC cord with a grounded AC Cable.
pleat
Re: Owenr's Manual for Kustom Combo Amp [message #16483 is a reply to message #16417] Wed, 30 November 2011 12:20 Go to previous messageGo to next message
chicagobill
Messages: 2005
Registered: April 2003
Senior Member
While not the safest way to wire an amp, the original two wire cord is really not as big a safety risk as is often claimed, if it was, there would have been hundreds if not thousands of deaths through the years before the advent of the 3-wire ac cord.

The shock that you feel when two amp grounds are at different potentials, is limited through the often cited "death cap". This means that you will feel it, especially on your lips on a microphone, but it generally will not kill you.

If the ground cap should happen to short, depending upon what direction the power/polarity switch is in, one side of the ac line would then be connected to the amp's chassis. If the hot side of the ac line is connected to the chassis, then if you were connected through the guitar ground, you would be at risk for electrocution.
Re: Owenr's Manual for Kustom Combo Amp [message #16484 is a reply to message #16483] Wed, 30 November 2011 13:16 Go to previous messageGo to next message
KLach
Messages: 4
Registered: November 2011
Junior Member
Thanks for the replies. I had read about the death capacitor before and about polarity issues, putting all your equipment on the same power source, and even about getting a voltage meter:
This is a good diagram explaining the Death Cap http://www.unclespot.com/3prongconversion.JPG
(I do have my original schematic and I don't see a death cap but who knows what modifications might have been made over the years.)
This is a good discussion about the issues surrounding getting the conversion done properly http://www.tdpri.com/forum/amp-central-station/53826-death-c ap.html

Some forums even discuss the merits of retaining more "vintage" value by not swapping to 3-prong(and therefore not using the amp) but I'd rather use it. Perhaps age is the deciding factor re 2-prong technology; the original equipment is of sufficient age to make it a safety risk even though it was the safest technology available in its day. When I first got it, plugged it in to an outlet in my home and plugged in my guitar and played, it was fine. I now understand I was taking a risk.

I'm using a Crate until I get the Kustom modified by an electrician. Now, to find that electrician...Guitar Center or not Guitar Center, that is the new question.
Re: Owenr's Manual for Kustom Combo Amp [message #16485 is a reply to message #16417] Wed, 30 November 2011 13:20 Go to previous message
KLach
Messages: 4
Registered: November 2011
Junior Member
If anyone knows how to shift this thread over to the tech section and take it out of the "wanted" section, go ahead. I'm new to this. Thanks in advance for your help.
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