Help! - Kustom Lead V -Distortion on E string only [message #18282] |
Wed, 27 February 2013 00:24 ![Go to next message Go to next message](/FUDforum/theme/vk30/images/down.png) |
oddeddie
Messages: 7 Registered: February 2013 Location: Portland Oregon
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I aqquired a late 60s(?). Kustom Lead V amp. Repair a shorted wire & every thing seems to be fine except when I hit the Low E string with any force the sound craps out, like a blown speaker?. Everyone told me it was a blown speaker, I didnt think it was. I replaced the Celestion G12S-50 with a suitable match, It still does the same thing. Can the bass control knob have anything to do with it? Any help is appreciated!!
[Updated on: Wed, 27 February 2013 00:54] Report message to a moderator
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Re: Help! - Kustom Lead V -Distortion on E string only [message #18283 is a reply to message #18282] |
Wed, 27 February 2013 01:02 ![Go to previous message Go to previous message](/FUDforum/theme/vk30/images/up.png) ![Go to next message Go to next message](/FUDforum/theme/vk30/images/down.png) |
chicagobill
Messages: 2005 Registered: April 2003
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Welcome to the place. Low frequency buzzes like that can be caused by a bad speaker, something loose and vibrating in the case, or in the chassis.
Seeing as you've replaced the speaker that will rule that out. Try and touch different parts of the cabinet as you play the note that causes the vibration, the handle, the baffle board, each side panel, etc.
Also check for loose screws on the chassis and check for loose parts on the circuit boards.
If you have access to a stethoscope, you can try and pinpoint where the buzz is coming from. I use a paper tube from a roll of paper towels to do this as well.
It may also help to retune the e string up or down a little to really get the buzz going strong.
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Re: Help! - Kustom Lead V -Distortion on E string only [message #18284 is a reply to message #18283] |
Wed, 27 February 2013 01:10 ![Go to previous message Go to previous message](/FUDforum/theme/vk30/images/up.png) ![Go to next message Go to next message](/FUDforum/theme/vk30/images/down.png) |
oddeddie
Messages: 7 Registered: February 2013 Location: Portland Oregon
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Junior Member |
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Thanx for the quick reply! I didnt think to check the obvious as it really does sound like the speaker :/ I did run it through my pioneer home speaker as I know its a "secure" system, it still had the distortion. Another thing I didnt mention was there is no back on it, I believe they came sealed? Also would like to date this thing, best I can figure is late 60s. Its solid state,tolex covered, made in Chanute Kansas, model "VL", seial # 149801
Thanx again!!
[Updated on: Wed, 27 February 2013 01:29] Report message to a moderator
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Re: Help! - Kustom Lead V -Distortion on E string only [message #18285 is a reply to message #18284] |
Wed, 27 February 2013 01:27 ![Go to previous message Go to previous message](/FUDforum/theme/vk30/images/up.png) ![Go to next message Go to next message](/FUDforum/theme/vk30/images/down.png) |
Kustom_Bart
Messages: 601 Registered: October 2010 Location: Greenville, MichiGUN
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Kustom started with Tuck and Roll in appr. 64 and ended in 73-74 when Kustom was sold to Baldwin Piano Company and then they went to Tolex. So yours was built 74-75 or after, Pleat can tell you more about the time it was built. You can build a back for it easy enough with a piece of plywood and screw it on. It will make a huge difference in sound. You can always take it off if you like it better without too.
[Updated on: Wed, 27 February 2013 01:36] Report message to a moderator
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Re: Help! - Kustom Lead V -Distortion on E string only [message #18286 is a reply to message #18285] |
Wed, 27 February 2013 01:34 ![Go to previous message Go to previous message](/FUDforum/theme/vk30/images/up.png) ![Go to next message Go to next message](/FUDforum/theme/vk30/images/down.png) |
oddeddie
Messages: 7 Registered: February 2013 Location: Portland Oregon
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Junior Member |
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Great!! I apprently didnt have good info on the history of Kustom. Getting late here but I'll try a few things tomorrow. & let you know. Im excited to get this amp up & running! I had planned on making the back...I heard they really thump when enclosed
Cheers!, Ed
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Re: Help! - Kustom Lead V -Distortion on E string only [message #18291 is a reply to message #18282] |
Wed, 27 February 2013 09:39 ![Go to previous message Go to previous message](/FUDforum/theme/vk30/images/up.png) ![Go to next message Go to next message](/FUDforum/theme/vk30/images/down.png) |
stevem
Messages: 4763 Registered: June 2004 Location: NY
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Senior Member |
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I would check that the machine screws on top of each of the two main filters at the wire lug connection points are tight.
Check that the speaker output jacks are tight to the chassis.
Check that all the White Molex connectors that the amp uses inbetween circuit boards are tight as over the years these connection points can get flacky. Also these aluminum pins ( male and female) become tarnished and make for a poor coonection.
If they fit tight sometimes just plugging them in and out a few times is enough to clean some tarnish off.
When circiuts start to be driven hard and call for alot of
current an poor connection can sound just like a bad speaker.
It could also just be that your two main power supply filters that I posted before on are shot, but I would check thses other things out first.
[Updated on: Wed, 27 February 2013 09:41] Report message to a moderator
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Re: Help! - Kustom Lead V -Distortion on E string only [message #18330 is a reply to message #18282] |
Wed, 06 March 2013 13:15 ![Go to previous message Go to previous message](/FUDforum/theme/vk30/images/up.png) ![Go to next message Go to next message](/FUDforum/theme/vk30/images/down.png) |
oddeddie
Messages: 7 Registered: February 2013 Location: Portland Oregon
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Junior Member |
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Thanks to everyone for the help. I tinkered with this thing for a few days & it still makes that sound. I did realize that it starts "crapping out" after it warms up. It sounds fine for about 5-10 mins, then starts distorting. Got my meter out this morning & will start testing circuts etc.
Thanx!!!!
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Re: Help! - Kustom Lead V -Distortion on E string only [message #18454 is a reply to message #18282] |
Mon, 18 March 2013 15:56 ![Go to previous message Go to previous message](/FUDforum/theme/vk30/images/up.png) ![Go to next message Go to next message](/FUDforum/theme/vk30/images/down.png) |
oddeddie
Messages: 7 Registered: February 2013 Location: Portland Oregon
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Junior Member |
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OK, after much poking around (trouble shooting) I stumbled across what I think is the problem. I seperated the speaker from the amp & put it about 10ft away.....no distortion, even when the Bass is turned up & strummed hard. By accident I found what appears to be the problem. There is a metal rectangular box with 2 prongs on each side, suspended by 4 springs.If this is bummped the sound completely falls apart (distortion) I think the speaker was vibrating this component making it distort. Can this be stablized or does it need to free float? I decided to keep the the speaker seperate from the amp anyway as I built a speaker cab & amp housing. I tried toattached a pic of the componenet & the new set up (first two pics in the album)
Cheers & Thanx!,Ed
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1332222675466.2039 284.1528001552&type=1
[Updated on: Mon, 18 March 2013 16:00] Report message to a moderator
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Re: Help! - Kustom Lead V -Distortion on E string only [message #18456 is a reply to message #18455] |
Mon, 18 March 2013 17:32 ![Go to previous message Go to previous message](/FUDforum/theme/vk30/images/up.png) |
oddeddie
Messages: 7 Registered: February 2013 Location: Portland Oregon
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Junior Member |
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Hi Bart
yes I do use the reverb. Everything seems to be OK so I'll leave it as it is. Interesting that part is the reverb tank, I actually thought it had something to do with the reverb at first but a friend convinced me otherwise :/
Everyone on this site has been GREAT, nice to see helpful people out there!
Cheers!, Ed
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