Home » VintageKustom.com » Repairing Kustom Amps » Thanks for the info on this web site! (Great information on here.)
Thanks for the info on this web site! [message #26255] Tue, 15 August 2017 20:28 Go to next message
DeadKoby is currently offline  DeadKoby
Messages: 35
Registered: August 2017
Location: Cleveland, OH
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I just wanted to thank everyone for the tech info here.

Having never owned or worked on a Kustom before, I bought a 200 B1, and the bright channel had fizzy airplane noise all the time unless the volume was at zero.

Without having to bother anyone, I read through the info, and used the 2n5088 Transistor, as well as replacing 1 out of tolerance capacitor. We're back in business. Lots of gain, minimal noise, maximum rock.

I fix things on YouTube (including this one), my channel is the same as my username on this board.

Thank you and have a great day.


All your electrons are belong to us.
Re: Thanks for the info on this web site! [message #26256 is a reply to message #26255] Wed, 16 August 2017 05:55 Go to previous messageGo to next message
stevem is currently offline  stevem
Messages: 4728
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY
Senior Member
Your welcome ,and keep playin and rockin that Kustom!
Re: Thanks for the info on this web site! [message #26257 is a reply to message #26256] Wed, 16 August 2017 22:50 Go to previous messageGo to next message
oren hudson is currently offline  oren hudson
Messages: 274
Registered: March 2008
Location: Gastonia, NC
Senior Member
Cool! Helpful informative folks here.
Re: Thanks for the info on this web site! [message #26258 is a reply to message #26255] Thu, 17 August 2017 21:58 Go to previous messageGo to next message
DeadKoby is currently offline  DeadKoby
Messages: 35
Registered: August 2017
Location: Cleveland, OH
Member
I'd post a photo now that's it's all shined up and happy.

Forum rules prohibit that since I'm still a N00b.

Having never worked on one of these before, it's nice to start with a good victory. Overall, very nice parts and build.



All your electrons are belong to us.
Re: Thanks for the info on this web site! [message #26260 is a reply to message #26255] Fri, 18 August 2017 06:03 Go to previous messageGo to next message
stevem is currently offline  stevem
Messages: 4728
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY
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Yup, the only build quality that would have been better back then would be military gear!
Re: Thanks for the info on this web site! [message #26261 is a reply to message #26260] Fri, 18 August 2017 12:40 Go to previous messageGo to next message
DeadKoby is currently offline  DeadKoby
Messages: 35
Registered: August 2017
Location: Cleveland, OH
Member
My surprise was the lack of Aluminum Electrolytic capacitors. That's usually the first thing one looks at on any vintage piece.

I tested almost all the tantalums on that preamp board and only one failed my tolerance standard. It likely would have still worked. Being from a vacuum tube background, this one was a new leaf, but overall it wasn't bad to work on at all. The Solid State gear I see often is Peavey. Most of the Peavey gear from the 70's early 80's inspired our mantra... "what survives nuclear fallout?? Cockroaches and vintage Peavey"..

I could add Vintage Kustom to that list.

As a bass amp, It's got a nice big sound, and plenty of gain. Funny that I have been playing a Ric 4003 through it, and that seems to be a very popular combination.

I didn't actively go seeking for this amp... but I saw it on Craigslist, and the owner was a reasonable dude. I don't think I'll become a high volume collector, but I certainly won't pass these up when a deal comes around.

Now that I've studied the works of it, I'm confident in my ability to repair them.


All your electrons are belong to us.
Re: Thanks for the info on this web site! [message #26262 is a reply to message #26255] Sat, 19 August 2017 00:55 Go to previous messageGo to next message
chicagobill
Messages: 2005
Registered: April 2003
Senior Member
Welcome to the club! Or should I say Klub?

Kustom was a very well made amp by the time the K200B series came out. With each new series the product was upgraded, fixing faults with the earlier designs. The chassis' got thicker and the parts got better. All of the earlier amps had aluminum electrolytics in the signal paths.

If you compare the schematics of the K200B series amps with older Peavey models, you will see a similarity in the designs. Hartley Peavey has reportedly said that Bud Ross and Kustom amps were part of the inspiration for the early designs.
Re: Thanks for the info on this web site! [message #26263 is a reply to message #26255] Mon, 21 August 2017 18:41 Go to previous messageGo to next message
DeadKoby is currently offline  DeadKoby
Messages: 35
Registered: August 2017
Location: Cleveland, OH
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One sort of tech question.... The power swtich has a On-Off-On configuration... I didn't look at it in any depth. Does it "flip" the hot and common on the two prong cord like the "ground" switch did on old school tube amps?

I considered putting a 3 prong on it, but the extra long cord is pretty nice, and I don't have one that long in my pile of stuff.


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Re: Thanks for the info on this web site! [message #26264 is a reply to message #26255] Tue, 22 August 2017 06:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
stevem is currently offline  stevem
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Registered: June 2004
Location: NY
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Yes, it flips the grounding cap from hot to neutral just like you have been use to on old tube gear.

When I do the cable swap a buy a 10 ft black extension cord of the same gauge and just cut the female end off.
It really helps to have the proper pair of Heyco type pliers to deal with that bushing, but a big Ass needle nose plier can get it done also.

On many of my Kustoms I have kept the old stock grounding set up as once you swap over there is no way to get rid of the buzz.

[Updated on: Tue, 22 August 2017 06:08]

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Re: Thanks for the info on this web site! [message #26265 is a reply to message #26255] Tue, 22 August 2017 16:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
DeadKoby is currently offline  DeadKoby
Messages: 35
Registered: August 2017
Location: Cleveland, OH
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At present, I have everything working to my satisfaction, so no further "messing with it" is in order.

The stock cord is LOOONG and I do like that.


All your electrons are belong to us.
Re: Thanks for the info on this web site! [message #26266 is a reply to message #26255] Tue, 22 August 2017 19:53 Go to previous messageGo to next message
chicagobill
Messages: 2005
Registered: April 2003
Senior Member
The original power cords were vacuum cleaner cords, so a few of the guys here buy modern 3-wire cords from carpet steam cleaners or vacuum cleaner supply houses to have the same long cord with the three wire safety.

If the cord is too short, they don't even reach the floor when the head sits on top of of a 3-15 cabinet.
Re: Thanks for the info on this web site! [message #26267 is a reply to message #26266] Tue, 22 August 2017 20:29 Go to previous messageGo to next message
pleat is currently offline  pleat
Messages: 1452
Registered: June 2004
Location: Belding, Mi
Senior Member
When I replace the two wire AC cable with the three wire AC Cable, I reverse wrap the new cable. I start with the male plug between the two cord wraps, and wind the length of the cable until I have enough left to make it into the amp's switch. Doing this will insure that once the change is made the male plug will end up between the cord wraps, rather than having the plug end up at one of the cord wraps.

pleat
Re: Thanks for the info on this web site! [message #26268 is a reply to message #26255] Tue, 22 August 2017 22:40 Go to previous messageGo to next message
DeadKoby is currently offline  DeadKoby
Messages: 35
Registered: August 2017
Location: Cleveland, OH
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I wish I could post a picture.

All your electrons are belong to us.
Re: Thanks for the info on this web site! [message #26272 is a reply to message #26268] Thu, 24 August 2017 15:58 Go to previous messageGo to next message
chicagobill
Messages: 2005
Registered: April 2003
Senior Member
I think that you just need 10 posts before you can link photos here. One of the others here will know for sure.
Re: Thanks for the info on this web site! [message #26276 is a reply to message #26255] Fri, 25 August 2017 06:03 Go to previous messageGo to next message
stevem is currently offline  stevem
Messages: 4728
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY
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Yes, you need a total of ten post, so if you put up a few more that say test for picture I will delete them once you get pictures up.
test delete me [message #26312 is a reply to message #26255] Thu, 21 September 2017 22:12 Go to previous messageGo to next message
DeadKoby is currently offline  DeadKoby
Messages: 35
Registered: August 2017
Location: Cleveland, OH
Member
Message 9

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My Amp [message #26314 is a reply to message #26255] Thu, 21 September 2017 22:20 Go to previous messageGo to next message
DeadKoby is currently offline  DeadKoby
Messages: 35
Registered: August 2017
Location: Cleveland, OH
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http://www.mrvamps.com/images/DCP_1798.JPG

Here's the amp all fixed up. Looking nice for 47!


All your electrons are belong to us.
Re: Thanks for the info on this web site! [message #26317 is a reply to message #26255] Sat, 23 September 2017 06:13 Go to previous messageGo to next message
stevem is currently offline  stevem
Messages: 4728
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY
Senior Member
Accually your cab with the silver thread in the grill and the non slant front makes it a little younger then the head as in it being no older then 1971.
It's all looking real sweet though so enjoy!

[Updated on: Sat, 23 September 2017 06:14]

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Re: Thanks for the info on this web site! [message #26337 is a reply to message #26255] Thu, 28 September 2017 18:36 Go to previous message
DeadKoby is currently offline  DeadKoby
Messages: 35
Registered: August 2017
Location: Cleveland, OH
Member
After the in-shop surgery, it's sounding great, and it's been used across my new record for Bass. It's pretty easy to record it... plug it in, turn it up, stick mics in front of it... it sounds just right.

All your electrons are belong to us.
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