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Post by JebusCrebus on Apr 15, 2015 5:37:53 GMT -7
A while ago there was a thread (cant seem to find it now) about a device that dropped the current voltage from the 120 - 135 Volts we typically see today to 100 - 110 that vintage amps used to see back in the day. I know you can do it with a variac but this was a specific device aimed at the music industry for "preserving" vintage fenders and such.
Any ideas who makes this and if it is still available? I know some of the guys on this forum were using it at the time.
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Post by wraparound (Steve) on Apr 16, 2015 10:27:55 GMT -7
I know that Weber used to sell one on their tech section, but it looks as though it is no longer offered. I should have snagged one while I had the opportunity. It was brown in color and was a voltage reducer. Been on a search for a used one but can't recall the name. Big help right?
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Post by Maddog on Apr 16, 2015 11:02:21 GMT -7
That was me. I'll repost it later when I can get on my pc. It's called an amp preserver. I think the only Z Talkers that have these are me and Doctorice....
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Post by Maddog on Apr 16, 2015 11:30:19 GMT -7
Here ya go:
www.vintagesoundworkbench.com/Testimonials.html
The device is pretty easy to use and straight forward. The voltages in the late 50's and early 60's were between 110 and 117 volts. The voltages in my jam shack are consistently at 124 volts. So I usually bump it down by 12 volts for 112-113 volts. I have NO clue if this is a real concern, but I have a few old amps that I just really don't want to risk something as easy to guard against as this. The device is quiet, rugged, and works well. My only complain is the meter is not illuminated..... Kinda pricey and a "wait" when you order one.....
HIGHLY recommended if you have something like this:
1959 5G9 Tremolux
or this:
1961 6G11 Vibrolux
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Post by markT on Apr 16, 2015 12:33:51 GMT -7
^^^ love those examples Lee!!
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Post by doctorice on Apr 16, 2015 18:49:52 GMT -7
As Lee noted, I also have one. Works fine. I have several old Ampegs and -what do you know, Lee? -- a brown Vibrolux. A '63 I believe.
I bought the version with a rheostat so you can dial in a specific voltage. Only caveat is that there is a limit on the amperage. Lee's clearly has a 4A fuse. I'll have to look and see what's on mine.
There is a least one other similar device out there. It's been reviewed in Tone Quest Report. If I can locate the issue, I'll add that info to this thread.
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Post by wraparound (Steve) on Apr 16, 2015 19:38:58 GMT -7
Thanks for the thread, and the responses. I need one of these.
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Post by rcrecelius on Apr 16, 2015 20:04:52 GMT -7
I saw an ad for one today on Facebook called a "brown box"
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2015 23:24:40 GMT -7
Didn't EVH do something like this for his amps?
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Post by JebusCrebus on Apr 17, 2015 3:59:24 GMT -7
That was me. I'll repost it later when I can get on my pc. It's called an amp preserver. I think the only Z Talkers that have these are me and Doctorice.... Thanks Lee, That is the one I have been looking at too (the new ones look to have a lighted Digital display), I wasn't sure if it was the same one discussed here (a long time ago) or not. I too have a few old Fenders that I really like and am thinning I should be using something like that.
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Post by JebusCrebus on Apr 17, 2015 3:59:55 GMT -7
Didn't EVH do something like this for his amps? Matt EVH used a Variac, I am looking for a smaller lighter unit.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2015 4:08:46 GMT -7
The Brown Box is a new product. I've been using it for a while. It's super easy to use. Gives you a read out of what you are getting from the wall then lets you knock it down to the voltage that the older amps were built for. It sounds really good to my ears on my older amps. www.amprx.net
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Apr 21, 2015 10:32:45 GMT -7
They're commonly referred to as a buck transformer. Google it up. If you know which end of the soldering iron to hang onto, you can probably build one in an afternoon. I made mine about 10 years ago and it works great.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Apr 22, 2015 5:45:57 GMT -7
Buck TransformerI was poking around the net this morning and found this tutorial. It's very similar to the one that I made, but this gentleman used a 6.3 volt transformer. I did basically the same thing but I used a 12.6 volt, 3 amp center tapped transformer and set it up with a switch to change between line voltage -6.3 or line -12.6 volts. The whole project cost me well under $50, and now I can choose between about 108 and 115 volts for my amps. If you do build one, please be careful. It's not exactly what I would recommend for a newcomer to electronics.
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Post by smolder on Apr 22, 2015 5:58:27 GMT -7
I've had the amp preserver pictured above for four years. It works great with bf fenders and tweeds (any older amp really). It's limited to a 4 amp load and only has the three setting, but that's worked well. I think they are made in Wisconsin... And when I lived in Chicago I'd regularly get 127-128 from the wall. In Colorado I'm getting 124-126. I could build one, but I found mine used and affordable.
I just bought a 3 amp variac (Amazon prime - $60 shipped). It's more flexible, but the meter is not terribly accurate... Meaning it's hard to tell 115 vs 117... Not that it's inaccurate.
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