| Thanks for the info on this web site! [message #26255] |
Tue, 15 August 2017 20:28  |
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.
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| Re: Thanks for the info on this web site! [message #26258 is a reply to message #26255] |
Thu, 17 August 2017 21:58  |
DeadKoby
Messages: 35
Registered: August 2017
Location: Cleveland, OH
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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.
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| Re: Thanks for the info on this web site! [message #26261 is a reply to message #26260] |
Fri, 18 August 2017 12:40 |
DeadKoby
Messages: 35
Registered: August 2017
Location: Cleveland, OH
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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.
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| Re: Thanks for the info on this web site! [message #26262 is a reply to message #26255] |
Sat, 19 August 2017 00:55 |
chicagobill
Messages: 2006
Registered: April 2003
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Senior Member |
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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.
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| Re: Thanks for the info on this web site! [message #26263 is a reply to message #26255] |
Mon, 21 August 2017 18:41 |
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.
All your electrons are belong to us.
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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 |
stevem
Messages: 4773
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY
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Senior Member |
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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] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Thanks for the info on this web site! [message #26266 is a reply to message #26255] |
Tue, 22 August 2017 19:53 |
chicagobill
Messages: 2006
Registered: April 2003
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Senior Member |
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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.
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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 |
DeadKoby
Messages: 35
Registered: August 2017
Location: Cleveland, OH
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Member |
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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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