VintageKustom.com: Repairing Kustom Amps

Home » VintageKustom.com » Repairing Kustom Amps » Kustom 600 PA reverb

Show: Today's Messages :: Polls :: Message Navigator

Kustom 600 PA reverb [message #4002]

Thu, 08 April 2004 02:51

giffenf
Messages: 2
Registered: April 2004

Junior Member

I just scored a Kustom 600 head (unfortunately, the 4 tuck-n-roll cabinets didn't come with it), and am about to start rehabilitating it (it was used as a house PA in an Oddfellows Hall for years). I plugged it in and turned it on for the first time tonight, and nothing happened. I tested the power cord and found it had a broken lead in it somewhere, so I replaced it (wish I had read the post about grounding this puppy before going to Home Depot and buying a 2-wire cord, but oh well), and it came to life. The reverb worked when I first turned it on, but then started crackling (the crackling stops when I turn the master reverb intensity down), and eventually quit, though the amp continued to work. This poor beast needs a major cleaning, and with 23 1/4" jacks and about 41 pots, my ConducTool and contact cleaners are going to get quite a workout. I'm hoping with cleaner pots and re-seated connectors everywhere that it will magically work like it should (hey, I had hoped it was just a bad power cord, and that wish came true, so why not?), but if anyone has any advice, feel free to pass it along. Oh, and if all else fails, if anyone can recommend a good Kustom tech in L.A., that'd be cool, too. Thanks, FG

Report message to a moderator

Re: Kustom 600 PA reverb [message #4003 is a reply to message #4002]

Thu, 08 April 2004 07:48

stevem
Messages: 4756
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY

Senior Member

Hi. If I am not mitaken these heads ,like the 250 heads that have r.everb, have a reverb pan twist lock on the back. Over the years the foam on the internal plunger that locks the reverb springs goes bad. The foam dry rots and the glue gives out. The springs then gets stuck in between the foam and its metal mount, so when you unlock the twist handle and the plunger pulls back it rips the springs out with it. On my 250s I used new no- rotting weather stripping and silicone GE sealer to redo it. You may have a true reverb circiut problem. In that case unplug the RCA cord that is in the jack marked output. If you still have cracking noise, its is not reverb pan.It was a job to get the pan off the back wall of my 250, I hope you more access in the 600!

Report message to a moderator