| K25-2 [message #4026] |
Wed, 14 April 2004 00:52  |
C4ster
Messages: 686
Registered: June 2001
Location: Mukwonago, WI (Milwaukee...
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Senior Member |
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Ok guys, put on your thinking caps. I just purchased a mint, silver K25-2. That is the model on the nameplate on the rear. It has 1 12" Jensen speaker, volume, treble with bright switch, bass, tremelo/vibrato, intensity and reverb. In the literature, it is refered to as a 1-12SC at 50 watts. I am the last person to ask this question, but is that 50 watts peak and is that the same amp?? The amp really breaks up early and hardly seems like my K100 for power. I like the little guy but I just have some questions. The amp has never been taken apart until tonight and it is really clean. It didn't need much vacuuming to get it in primo condition. The tremelo/vibrato pot has a pull switch and the keeper on the end of the shaft has fallen off and the knob with shaft can be removed. It works fine but I cannot switch to vibrato. Does anyone have a pot like it?
Thanks,
Conrad
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| Re: K25-2 [message #4028 is a reply to message #4026] |
Wed, 14 April 2004 11:31  |
chicagobill
Messages: 2006
Registered: April 2003
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Senior Member |
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Conrad:
Sounds like are real cutie! If you describe the pot/switch for me, I can check my stock of old parts. I probably don't have the exact piece, but I may have the correct push/pull switch that you can use to replace your broken one. Most of the switch parts are replaceable.
Let me know the manufacturer or code number (CTS, Stackpole, etc), resistance value and taper, and switch details (number of poles, shape, etc.).
Bill from Chicago
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| Re: K25-2 [message #4030 is a reply to message #4028] |
Wed, 14 April 2004 12:20 |
LesS
Messages: 478
Registered: December 2002
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Senior Member |
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Hi Conrad,
The 50 watt 1-12SC in the literature refers to a K50.
The K50 said 50 below the Kustom on the faceplate, the K25 did not have a number below the Kustom on the faceplate. The K25 was the earlier model, I believe it was replaced by the K50. What is your serial number?
The K25 output should be 12 watts RMS.
This might be overkill, but it would be interesting to hear this amp with a JBL or Altec. I find that changing to a JBL or Altec makes a dramatic difference in the lower powered Kustoms, mostly because of the 3 dB increase in efficiency compared to the stock speaker. With one of these speakers, your K25 should sound as big as a K50.
-Les
VintageKustomFAQ14
[Updated on: Sun, 09 September 2007 22:27] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: K25-2 [message #4031 is a reply to message #4030] |
Thu, 15 April 2004 01:11 |
C4ster
Messages: 686
Registered: June 2001
Location: Mukwonago, WI (Milwaukee...
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Senior Member |
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First off, the S/N 50706 which should put in late '69. Good year! There is no model designation on the front panel. There is a slight slope to the plexi face as I think most were. I just went through all of the literature on this site and I could find no reference for a K25 amp. Is this that rare of an amp? I am leaving for South America tomorrow evening and I will test the amp's power output when I get back. Thanks for the help. Also, Bill from Chicago, if I need a pot I will get in touch with you. I am hoping to be able to remove the switch and repair it. I view my email from time to time while I am gone, so keep in touch.
Thanks,
Conrad
P.S. I got the amp from Marshallmen and John is a real trip to deal with. It took almost 2 weeks to get the amp from Ohio. I live in the Milwaukee area. The guy needs a lesson in civility.
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| Re: K25-2 [message #4041 is a reply to message #4032] |
Thu, 15 April 2004 13:27 |
C4ster
Messages: 686
Registered: June 2001
Location: Mukwonago, WI (Milwaukee...
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Senior Member |
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I'm not that crazy, but my intent is to fix the offending part, not replace it. Also, I forgot to include another mod I am contemplating. I have a JBL E120 basket I need to recone. That would go nicely in there. I really do think that the amp is a 12 1/2 watter. It has a nice sound but the K100 is better.
Conrad
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| Re: K25-2 (theory) [message #4042 is a reply to message #4041] |
Thu, 15 April 2004 15:13 |
LesS
Messages: 478
Registered: December 2002
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Senior Member |
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Conrad,
Here is my theory for why you can't find the K25 in any literature.
Here are the K25's by serial number that I am aware of:
49818 Jan 1970 production date
50028 Jan 1970
50706 Feb 1970
51588 Feb 1970
55710 May 1970
The SC combo brochure was issued May 7, 1970.
I believe that Kustom was changing the K25 to a K50 and wanted to put the new model in the brochure. My guess is that K50 production started about June 1970.
Hey if you want the exact production date (I'm guessing Feb 3, 1970) of your K25 send me the numbers that are hand written on the upper frame of the amp. (Keep in mind the pots and other parts will be dated somewhere around 2 months earlier.)
-Les S
LStrick115@aol.com
[Updated on: Sat, 22 September 2007 22:15] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: K25-2 [message #4058 is a reply to message #4030] |
Sat, 17 April 2004 00:04 |
KustomBlues
Messages: 494
Registered: June 2001
Location: Michigan
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Senior Member |
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These little K25's don't put out enough juice to drive a JBL speaker and have it sound good! They are 12 watters..... They are made to use a 16 ohm, 50 watt, jensen C12N. Therefore, you should look for a speaker that is about 50 watts RMS if you want to prevent any extra heat from forming and causing premature failure. Using speakers that are way over rated for small amps only cause problems, just like having wimpy speakers being pushed by loud amps==problems. They do sound good with a 16 ohm celestion 30 watt speaker too. Just my thoughts that come from having one and a K50 as well.
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| Re: K25-2 [message #4059 is a reply to message #4058] |
Sat, 17 April 2004 21:12 |
C4ster
Messages: 686
Registered: June 2001
Location: Mukwonago, WI (Milwaukee...
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Senior Member |
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I hadn't thought about the 16 ohm impedance. I just might throw some K100 parts in there and create a K100 combo.
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| Re: K25-2 [message #4076 is a reply to message #4059] |
Mon, 19 April 2004 18:31 |
ET
Messages: 146
Registered: October 2000
Location: Charlotte NC
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Senior Member |
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ya'll are way over my head as usual..but here's my first hand experience with my K25C which I've had since I was 13 yrs old back in 1968. Wore my special design Jenson down to where I wanted to replace it , back before things like reconing shops were around. My son worked at a local music store and I was able to get PV shefleid 12s at cost and the specs looked close so I tried one and am pleased with the way it captured the original intent of that amp as I remembered it new. The PV breaks up just a tad louder than the old jenson and is not quite as brittly harsh...probably closer to a CTS which is still my preference in kustoms for guitar. as far as impedance goes.. I have for many many years used a cheap Radio Shack "y" adaptor to allow me to sit my K25 on top of a K100 2x12 cab and run all 3 12s at the same time. I've had that rig on stage for 4 hours at a time, outdoors in blistering 100 degree direct sunlight, etc and the amp has never quit on me. in fact I've gotten amazed comments like..no way that's only 25 watts!!..I didn't have the heart to tell them that the 25 was a peak rating on a clear day with a strong tale wind...fact is, the added 2x12 cab gave me great volume, and so much more bottom end..its still one of my favorite little rigs...just loud enough to keep up with the drums on a small stage..I guess cause its sitting up high on that 2x12 cab so I can hear it better... I've not gotten a K50 1x12..but the ones I've heard on their own are just great rigs.. I'm sure I've abused every ohm law there is but its one of the amazing testimonies of our kustom rigs..they just put up with me and make me smile all my life! Try a Shefield..they're cheap, available, sound as intended...but if you can find some old CTS to recone...that's my recommendation...regardless...enjoy your rig...n Play Loud! ET
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