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Kustom Studio 4 valve amp or K100-C-8 2x10.....?? [message #14079]

Sun, 18 July 2010 16:33

woody96
Messages: 107
Registered: May 2001

Senior Member

Guys; gals.......I have found a Kustom studio 4 valve amp in excellent condition and of all things; also a black T&R K100 C-8 with 2x10 configuration. Both amps are in excellent condition both eletrically and appearance wise----just for those that maybe need a slight refresher..the studio is the oak cabinet Kustom that has 2 channels with reverb and phaser--2x12" celestions----looks like a vintage Mesa Boogie.....they are each offered for sale @ $250.......

What do you suggest? I wish I had the funds to get both---but alas, cannot.....Love to hear your recommendations......

I would also love to hear from anyone that either has owned one of the Kustom oak cabinet studio amps and what they think of it......

THANKS!!

[Updated on: Sun, 18 July 2010 20:22]

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Re: Kustom Studio 4 valve amp or K100-C-8 2x10.....?? [message #14082 is a reply to message #14079]

Mon, 19 July 2010 07:32

stevem
Messages: 4778
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY

Senior Member

It`s a tuff call.
If your just a home player/collector than the K100 is worth more, but for playing out the 4 valve is a far more veristile amp then the K100, plus for me a 2-12" set up is whats needed for live guitar. The two 10s only cut it for home use and recording.

Note that any tube amp needs good tubes, and of most importance is the first preamp tube that you guitar signal hits.

If the amp currently has Russian made Sovtec or EH/sovetec tubes it will be a good bit un-impressive tone and responce wise.
The Groove tubes GT-ECC83-S for the general preamp tubes and a Groove tubes SAG-AX7-MPI for the phase inverter tube if the amp has one will put you in grand shape!

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Re: Kustom Studio 4 valve amp or K100-C-8 2x10.....?? [message #14083 is a reply to message #14082]

Mon, 19 July 2010 11:37

pleat
Messages: 1459
Registered: June 2004
Location: Belding, Mi

Senior Member

Well, I've never played through a studio model so I can only speak of the K100's. At home either amp is fine. Depending on what kind of music you play, any effect pedals or processor pedals you may be using, the K100 will accept any processor pedal better than any amp I've ever used. If you plan on using the amp on stage, I don't really agree that a 2x10 won't cut it on a live gig. Again it depends on what you want the amp to do and what effects you may have in front of the amp. I've used a K50 single 12 for my main amp for 12 years doing small clubs to outdoor events. I do use a processor pedal and I've never been told to turn up. Last year at our kustom convention we ran all old school, HiZ mics into a K400 PA head, ran all the amps without mic's and I stood next to a K100 2x10 that was leading the stage in volume. We had 4 to 5 guitar players on stage at one time all night long.
The studio amps being tube driven, tubes will effect the quality of tone, and I guess for me, I'd prefer not to worry about the cost of upkeep with a tube amp. Not having ever played a Studio amp, I don't know how they would accept a processor pedal. I personally think that the T&R amps will always be worth more in resale than the Studio series. T&R are time proven and with the studio series most times the one's I seen for sale are missing the footswitch for channel switching and effects.
pleat

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Re: Kustom Studio 4 valve amp or K100-C-8 2x10.....?? [message #14084 is a reply to message #14079]

Mon, 19 July 2010 18:10

woody96
Messages: 107
Registered: May 2001

Senior Member

Thanks........the Studio has a SS preamp section and 4 6L6 power tubes....reverb and flanger on board.....solid oak cabinet; celestion speakers; VG condition........the K100 is in VG condition as well in black T&R......

I love the look of the studio----very much like an early Mesa Boogie with the cabinet and wheat grill cloth.......

The K100 is excellent too.....

I think the K100 will hold or increase in value of course.....not sure about the studio.......

Any other thoughts??

[Updated on: Mon, 19 July 2010 18:11]

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Re: Kustom Studio 4 valve amp or K100-C-8 2x10.....?? [message #14086 is a reply to message #14084]

Mon, 19 July 2010 21:13

pleat
Messages: 1459
Registered: June 2004
Location: Belding, Mi

Senior Member

Well at the end of the day, you have to be happy with your purchase. I guess I'd go for the Studio, only for the fact if it's in good to great shape, there were very few made. The K100 and K150 SC amps were in production a lot longer so there are more out there to be found. If you wait too long you may not have a choice and possibly both will be sold.
pleat

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Re: Kustom Studio 4 valve amp or K100-C-8 2x10.....?? [message #14087 is a reply to message #14079]

Tue, 20 July 2010 06:08

stevem
Messages: 4778
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY

Senior Member

Thats too bad, I thought that the 4 valve was a 2 preamp tube/2 output tube amp, 4 -6L6s makes for a real loud amp with 2-12s!

It looks like with eitheir amp you will be using a box up front to get ditortion at a happy volume level.

If you get the 4 valve your gonna want to change out all the high volatge power supply filters ( 2 to 4 of them) due to age with good Atom brand caps, not crappy twain made Illinos brand caps.
Also with the 4 valve if it needs output tubes ( it probibly has crappy Russian made ones in it now) while you are in the process of re- caping it, you can knock half the wattage out of it by switching to EL34 output tubes(use only two)and preforming a slight re-wire of the scokets and a change to 1k ohm screen resisttors will be needed along with a re-adjustment of the output tube bias voltage.

Whichever one you get I hope you enjoy it!

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Re: Kustom Studio 4 valve amp or K100-C-8 2x10.....?? [message #14105 is a reply to message #14087]

Sat, 24 July 2010 06:01

Kochens
Messages: 80
Registered: April 2009
Location: Denmark

Member

I got the 2 valve studio, this is a head only," But boy what a sound, this power-house can deliver". The flanger is amazing, and the reverb is over the top. I would go for the studio valve.
Peter from Denmark.

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Re: Kustom Studio 4 valve amp or K100-C-8 2x10.....?? [message #14108 is a reply to message #14079]

Sat, 24 July 2010 23:10

woody96
Messages: 107
Registered: May 2001

Senior Member

Thanks all; now the amp seems to have some issues....pots are very scratchy (easy fix I think); power light stays on for a bit after turing off...(interesting phenomenom!); and worst of all---the master volume pot has been replaced with the wrong size pot shaft as I found out the knob came right off as it needs a larger pot shaft to fit tight---the knob was glued on! (I think this is an easy fix too---at least the OEM knob is there!)......

What do you all think about these issues??

[Updated on: Sat, 24 July 2010 23:11]

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Re: Kustom Studio 4 valve amp or K100-C-8 2x10.....?? [message #14111 is a reply to message #14079]

Mon, 26 July 2010 05:51

stevem
Messages: 4778
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY

Senior Member

I do not really concider any of them issue`s, I mean its a used amp right!
Pot cleaning is a normal maintiance factor for any gear and the power indicator lamp staying on after turn off is normal on many amps and just means that the power supply is hold on to its DC volatge for a long period, which is a good sign in regards to power filter condition.

Finding the right replacement, size shaft master volume pot should not take much searching so all in all this is normal stuff.
Be glad is does not need semiconductors to be repaced, as some of them are going the suplus supply route!

[Updated on: Mon, 26 July 2010 05:52]

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Re: Kustom Studio 4 valve amp or K100-C-8 2x10.....?? [message #14124 is a reply to message #14111]

Tue, 27 July 2010 17:36

pleat
Messages: 1459
Registered: June 2004
Location: Belding, Mi

Senior Member

My only thought is, I hope they used the same value as the original pot when they replaced it. Do you have the footswitch that came with the amp when new? I have a block diagram of your amp showing the pin arrangement for the footswitch, but I don't have a real schematic for it.
pleat

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Re: Kustom Studio 4 valve amp or K100-C-8 2x10.....?? [message #14125 is a reply to message #14124]

Tue, 27 July 2010 18:14

woody96
Messages: 107
Registered: May 2001

Senior Member

Pleat; I would love anything you have on the amp---I did get it (believe it or not---for $235 shipped!!!) No, no footswitch!

I will post some pix of it they sent me.....it looks awesome....

[Updated on: Tue, 27 July 2010 18:14]

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Re: Kustom Studio 4 valve amp or K100-C-8 2x10.....?? [message #14126 is a reply to message #14125]

Tue, 27 July 2010 18:25

woody96
Messages: 107
Registered: May 2001

Senior Member

Here she is....pretty awesome huh?
All checked out VG including the reverb and flanger......Master volume is fine working----just pot shaft is too small...fix that later......all knobs there too!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/4835366283_9c06cd68f7_b.jpg

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Re: Kustom Studio 4 valve amp or K100-C-8 2x10.....?? [message #14128 is a reply to message #14125]

Tue, 27 July 2010 22:15

pleat
Messages: 1459
Registered: June 2004
Location: Belding, Mi

Senior Member

Send me a note at djt@chartermi.net and I'll email you what I have.
pleat

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Re: Kustom Studio 4 valve amp or K100-C-8 2x10.....?? [message #14129 is a reply to message #14126]

Wed, 28 July 2010 02:08

Kochens
Messages: 80
Registered: April 2009
Location: Denmark

Member

To all of you, who do not have the schematic(amp/foothswitch)
I have it. Email me, and I`ll send it to you.
email: peter-karin@birkevang.dk[/email][/email]

[Updated on: Wed, 28 July 2010 12:25]

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Re: Kustom Studio 4 valve amp or K100-C-8 2x10.....?? [message #14135 is a reply to message #14079]

Wed, 28 July 2010 18:25

woody96
Messages: 107
Registered: May 2001

Senior Member

May not need it now---just got home and the box was a mess...very poorly packed with litle padding and box was only one layer (very thin) cardboard......needless to say--with UPS manhandling it and I am sure dropping it---most of the peanuts came out somewhere along the way and the oak cabinet now is split in several places...almost took off the bottom; and worst of all---the amp is not working!!!! ARGH!!!!!! Example of what poor packing can do!!!

It was from an internet vintage amp seller; so here goes now the resolution process......what I am most disspointed in is the careless packing for this cool amp that now has a broken oak cabinet and a non-working (very cool) amp!!!!!!!

Here are some pix (BTW; took it completely apart looking for hopefully a wire loose inside---everythign looks fine; but has no sound and gets no power to the amp as far as I can tell; power light never comes on.....

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/4838945517_4cfd96afe7.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/4839557604_f56689c008.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/4839557720_41b6241af7.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/4838945831_4844db00b9.jpg

[Updated on: Wed, 28 July 2010 21:23]

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Re: Kustom Studio 4 valve amp or K100-C-8 2x10.....?? [message #14139 is a reply to message #14135]

Thu, 29 July 2010 05:46

Kochens
Messages: 80
Registered: April 2009
Location: Denmark

Member

Hi Woody96
Do you have a spamfilter. I get errors,
when I try to mail you.
Peter

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Re: Kustom Studio 4 valve amp or K100-C-8 2x10.....?? [message #14143 is a reply to message #14139]

Thu, 29 July 2010 07:18

woody96
Messages: 107
Registered: May 2001

Senior Member

No nothing that should stop e-mail at all....

krwilkes@earthlink.net

or try

kaywilkes@yahoo.com

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Re: Kustom Studio 4 valve amp or K100-C-8 2x10.....?? [message #14144 is a reply to message #14143]

Thu, 29 July 2010 10:21

woody96
Messages: 107
Registered: May 2001

Senior Member

Well, I am heartbroken about the amp for sure.......called Daddy's and they are supposed to refund my $$.....they admitted to not having enough cardboard in the packout.....and UPS did a real number on it.....

I can fix the cabinet...not sure about the amp....but got the schematics for it.......

What do ya'll think? Worth fixing? Take it to a tech and get the amp fixed and try and fix the cabinet?

It is so rare I hate to see it go to the dump--I am sure that is what Daddy's will do with it---probably scavange the speakers out of it and sell them.......

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Re: Kustom Studio 4 valve amp or K100-C-8 2x10.....?? [message #14147 is a reply to message #14144]

Thu, 29 July 2010 14:47

C4ster
Messages: 686
Registered: June 2001
Location: Mukwonago, WI (Milwaukee...

Senior Member

Send them pictures and ask for a price reduction. No harm in trying. On this site we typically talk more vintage stuff. Tuck and roll from the 60's and early 70's. But that doesn't mean you are not welcome. Absolutely. You have seen that already. It's like a car. If the engine or transmission is blown, it can be fixed. But if the body is shot, then the boneyard is probably in order unless it's a 65 Mustang. If you think that you can repair the cabinet or have someone do it for you, then the amp should be easy. Just realize that not powering up it THE most BASIC problem you could have. Maybe a defective fuse from a blow to the cabinet or a dislodged connector. After that, guys on this site can steer you in the right direction. I have bought amps knowing that the amp doesn't work, just needs a good cabinet. Welcome and good luck!
Conrad

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Re: Kustom Studio 4 valve amp or K100-C-8 2x10.....?? [message #14148 is a reply to message #14147]

Thu, 29 July 2010 15:33

woody96
Messages: 107
Registered: May 2001

Senior Member

C4ster wrote on Thu, 29 July 2010 14:47

Send them pictures and ask for a price reduction. No harm in trying. On this site we typically talk more vintage stuff. Tuck and roll from the 60's and early 70's. But that doesn't mean you are not welcome. Absolutely. You have seen that already. It's like a car. If the engine or transmission is blown, it can be fixed. But if the body is shot, then the boneyard is probably in order unless it's a 65 Mustang. If you think that you can repair the cabinet or have someone do it for you, then the amp should be easy. Just realize that not powering up it THE most BASIC problem you could have. Maybe a defective fuse from a blow to the cabinet or a dislodged connector. After that, guys on this site can steer you in the right direction. I have bought amps knowing that the amp doesn't work, just needs a good cabinet. Welcome and good luck!
Conrad

Thanks Conrad.....I am a former forum member and have had multiple K100's and K100 combos......wanted to try here as this is a vintage Kustom tube and wanted some opinions.....

They have offered a full refund and UPS will pick up just as it is...who knows what happens to it after that...I sure hate to see it go to the boneyard when I know the cabinet is fixable and just don't know what is up with the amp.......

Worth the risk of getting a cut on the price and tempting fate getting it repaired??

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Re: Kustom Studio 4 valve amp or K100-C-8 2x10.....?? [message #14151 is a reply to message #14079]

Thu, 29 July 2010 16:19

Kochens
Messages: 80
Registered: April 2009
Location: Denmark

Member

4 tubes could be the problem? Razz

Razz

Razz

Razz

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Re: Kustom Studio 4 valve amp or K100-C-8 2x10.....?? [message #14155 is a reply to message #14148]

Thu, 29 July 2010 19:28

pleat
Messages: 1459
Registered: June 2004
Location: Belding, Mi

Senior Member

Woody96, I know we've talked a lot thru emails in the past on Kustoms.
Not taking into consideration non members who visit this site, there are 997 registered members on our site. Since Daddy's have offered you a complete refund. I'd ask them to go one step further adn let you keep the pieces in addition to the full refund.
Where else could they get such a positive advertising experience for 235.00. It's unfortunate it was packed so poorly and UPS didn't do it any favors. I think if you explain to them that it's a vintage amp, and they just can't order another one as a replacement. If they know we are all watching to see how this turns out. I'm sure everyone would have more confidence in buying from them in the future, if we knew they go the extra mile to mantain customer satification.
pleat

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Re: Kustom Studio 4 valve amp or K100-C-8 2x10.....?? [message #14156 is a reply to message #14155]

Thu, 29 July 2010 21:07

woody96
Messages: 107
Registered: May 2001

Senior Member

Thanks Pleat; I may just do just that......I plan to call the internet sales manager tomorrow......I know they have some $$ into it and want to get that back from UPS as a claim.....

We will see what happens.....I sure want to keep it and give 'er a go!

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Re: Kustom Studio 4 valve amp or K100-C-8 2x10.....?? [message #14157 is a reply to message #14156]

Thu, 29 July 2010 21:39

pleat
Messages: 1459
Registered: June 2004
Location: Belding, Mi

Senior Member

Be sure to mention that there are at least 997 people hoping they will go the extra step to make you happy.
I know years ago I sold a used Peavey power amp. They blew it up, I paid to have it repaired, they took it out and brought it back with the other side of the amp blown, I again paid to repair it. Long story short, I sold the amp for 350.00 and paid 360.00 in three different repairs. Cost me the price I had into the amp plus the repairs. I did make a customer for life, standing behind what I sold.
pleat

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Re: Kustom Studio 4 valve amp or K100-C-8 2x10.....?? [message #14158 is a reply to message #14157]

Thu, 29 July 2010 22:03

woody96
Messages: 107
Registered: May 2001

Senior Member

Well, he just e-mailed me and basically stated that he was happy to refund the money I spent but would have a very hard time letting me just have the amp too...that he needed to see if he could get back their $$ into it via the UPS claim........UGH!

What ya think; I paid $235 shipped....he refunded that-----offer to pay $100 and and call it quits...I could ge that for the speakers if I could not get the amp part repaired.....

I sure wish I was an amp repair guy and knew more about how bad this repair might be......it is not PTP for sure---has some boards inside and if one of those is in bad shape or broken underneath....might be non-repairable??? Again; it powers on; tubes light up.....take it out of standby to on and sounds like it is powered on...but; no sound and no power light......the master volume pot turning (scratchiness) can be heard in the speakers, but that's it.....I hooked the speakers to another amp and they amazingly just fine.

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Re: Kustom Studio 4 valve amp or K100-C-8 2x10.....?? [message #14159 is a reply to message #14158]

Thu, 29 July 2010 22:57

pleat
Messages: 1459
Registered: June 2004
Location: Belding, Mi

Senior Member

Well, I guess it's your decision. Backing up a bit. You started this post on what to buy the studio or the T&R Kustom. Was the T&R at the same place? Is it still ava? I've never played thru a Studio series so I don't know how they sound and if they will work as well with stomp boxes or processor pedals. Not having seen what parts are in the Studio series, I don't know if it used parts that are no longer ava. I guess when you are buying a amp and have to have it shipped, you run the risk of damage even with T&R amp. The thing I know is the T&R amps, parts are ava. and most any TV repair shop can repair them.

pleat

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Re: Kustom Studio 4 valve amp or K100-C-8 2x10.....?? [message #14162 is a reply to message #14079]

Fri, 30 July 2010 09:09

woody96
Messages: 107
Registered: May 2001

Senior Member

THX for your thoughts Don.......much appreciated .....they did have a 2x10 T&R K100; but it has been sold, that was the one I was trying to decide upon........

I have the schematic for the Studio from the forum member overseas...he was nice enough to send it.....the amp has several PCB boards and connectors as you described...a large accutronic reverb tank, and 6L6 power tubes and a SS preamp section......

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