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Kustom II-1 output issue [message #23729]

Tue, 01 September 2015 20:42

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.

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Re: Kustom II-1 output issue [message #23730 is a reply to message #23729]

Tue, 01 September 2015 22:51

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

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Re: Kustom II-1 output issue [message #23731 is a reply to message #23730]

Tue, 01 September 2015 23:01

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.

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Re: Kustom II-1 output issue [message #23732 is a reply to message #23729]

Wed, 02 September 2015 06:24

stevem
Messages: 4730
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!

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Re: Kustom II-1 output issue [message #23785 is a reply to message #23732]

Tue, 08 September 2015 18:51

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.

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Re: Kustom II-1 output issue [message #23787 is a reply to message #23729]

Tue, 08 September 2015 20:12

stevem
Messages: 4730
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY

Senior Member

Yup, it's shop time!

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