Kasino amp tips and tricks [message #24721] |
Thu, 10 March 2016 05:04 |
Luke N
Messages: 5 Registered: March 2016 Location: United States
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Junior Member |
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Hi, everyone. I just joined and I have some questions about this old Kasino amp. I know it's not widely sought "tuck' n'roll" type, but it's still a Kustom. I use this amp ALOT. It's definitely one of the best sounding amplifiers I've ever played through and looks great for it's age. It wasn't working when I first brought it home and I've experienced many problems in keeping it going (mostly, with the old solder turning loose), but it's my favorite. Basically, I'm curious about how I can get the best possible sound from it and tips for using the "monitor" and "tape recorder" output jacks. I don't have the original speaker cabs for it, so I'm using a 2x12 cab from a Sears amp, which is sporting a 1961 Jensen C12-N and a 1980 Rola-Celestion G12-30. The guitar I use most is an Epiphone LesPaul standard with stock pickups. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
You don't need a thousand dollar guitar to sound good... but it helps.
[Updated on: Thu, 10 March 2016 05:16] Report message to a moderator
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Re: Kasino amp tips and tricks [message #24726 is a reply to message #24721] |
Thu, 10 March 2016 15:33 |
chicagobill
Messages: 2006 Registered: April 2003
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Senior Member |
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Hey Luke, welcome to the place! We all love the tuck and roll, but we respect the rest of the Kustom lines as well. Which model of Kasino amp do you have?
The Kasino amps were made with a lot of the same components as the rest of the amps. Some were quite advanced for the time, like the Kasino Fever amp that was bi-amped. I fixed one of these a few years ago and I couldn't believe how loud it was, or how heavy it was!.
Anyway, welcome!
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Re: Kasino amp tips and tricks [message #24731 is a reply to message #24721] |
Thu, 10 March 2016 19:33 |
Luke N
Messages: 5 Registered: March 2016 Location: United States
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Junior Member |
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Thanks for the quick replies. Yes, I did have trouble with those connectors. The model number on the amp is U100-P. It's the 4 channel Club model. The pots in it all date to late 1972 and early 1973. It still has the original power cord and red power lamp. The only real visible sign of age on it is the rusty corner caps. I got it at a pawn shop a few years ago for $40. I know it's supposed to be a PA, but I use it for guitar and absolutely LOVE the sound it gets. I didn't mean for that one part of my first post to sound the way it did. I was kind of worried that I'd be flogged for posting on here about this particular model because it seems these aren't the most desirable among collectors. Anyway, thanks for the tips about those jacks. I've just been using a Mic in front of the speakers to record the amp onto an old Webcor reel to reel. I usually end up erasing the tapes, though. Mostly, I run fuzz pedals through it and they usually sound quite good with it. I have been a bit concerned about the impedance of my speaker cab, too. The amp states a minimum load of 8 ohms and my cab measures to around 7.5 ohms. Will this eventually cause any problems? I've been using it with this cab for a long time. I just got this amp going again last year. That little diode that clips to the chassis had failed and it took me 2 years to figure out a suitable replacement. Thanks again.
You don't need a thousand dollar guitar to sound good... but it helps.
[Updated on: Thu, 10 March 2016 19:38] Report message to a moderator
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Re: Kasino amp tips and tricks [message #24734 is a reply to message #24721] |
Thu, 10 March 2016 20:35 |
chicagobill
Messages: 2006 Registered: April 2003
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Senior Member |
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That model is very much the same as the Kustom K100 PA. All of these amps take FX pedals really well. Having 4 channels is fun because you can run different pedals into each channel and mix the different sounds together, or use an A/B switch to use different channels.
If you had found this forum earlier on, we could have suggested replacements for your broken diode. The 7.5 ohms is so close to the 8 ohms that the amp is looking for, that you don't need to worry about it. It really isn't that critical.
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Re: Kasino amp tips and tricks [message #24735 is a reply to message #24721] |
Thu, 10 March 2016 20:54 |
Luke N
Messages: 5 Registered: March 2016 Location: United States
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Junior Member |
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That's a relief. Yeah, I didn't really find out about this forum until after I had the amp working again. It was a real PITA to get it back into working order because every time I would fix a couple of loose solder joints, more would come loose. I finally just pulled the power section and resoldered every one of them. It was worth it.
You don't need a thousand dollar guitar to sound good... but it helps.
[Updated on: Thu, 10 March 2016 20:55] Report message to a moderator
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Re: Kasino amp tips and tricks [message #24741 is a reply to message #24740] |
Fri, 11 March 2016 14:11 |
Luke N
Messages: 5 Registered: March 2016 Location: United States
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Junior Member |
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Okay. Apologies for the misunderstanding. I had been thinking one could just measure the resistance because it says ohms. As you've probably guessed, I'm not as good with electronics as I would like to be. I do know a little. At least enough that I can sometimes fix things when they break.
You don't need a thousand dollar guitar to sound good... but it helps.
[Updated on: Fri, 11 March 2016 14:12] Report message to a moderator
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