Thoughts on modifying a classic amp

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homespun

homespun

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Well, here's the deal. I have an older amp (circa 1967). It's not special. It's also neither exceedingly valuable nor rare. It's an okay amp. Actually, I'm not exactly fond of it. I recapped it, installed fresh tubes and biased it. It's sort of underwelming in the tone department. So I checked a lot of other components and all of the resistors that I've tested have dwelled out of spec. I'm thinking I need to replace just about everything.

On three other forums I mentioned that I was considering modifying it and the members had a collective cow. I'm just wondering if that would happen here because I won't bother mentioning it. It seems there are a lot of actually valuable amps, like classic Marshalls and such, that get modified here so I'm hoping to be able to discuss it without the conniption fits.
 
your amp, do what you want; just remember if it's not reversible it may negatively affect your resale value.
 
I don’t see a problem with it provided the mod is done well, but there a lot of shoddy workmanship out there that will ruin an amp. If everything’s way out of spec I’d just put in a new board loaded the way you see fit. Then you can swap it back to original if you sell it to the tan pants.
 
That was the main reason I couldn't figure the disdain. It's all reversible and I'm not selling it.


1967 Fender Bassman.
That's a pretty damn cool amp. I don't think it would be a huge deal if you wanted to mod it, but personally I'd keep it stock. I am a Bassman, man.
 
That's a pretty damn cool amp. I don't think it would be a huge deal if you wanted to mod it, but personally I'd keep it stock. I am a Bassman, man.
It's just not that great sounding. AB165 circuit is the worst of them, IMO.
 
Well, here's the deal. I have an older amp (circa 1967). It's not special. It's also neither exceedingly valuable nor rare. It's an okay amp. Actually, I'm not exactly fond of it. I recapped it, installed fresh tubes and biased it. It's sort of underwelming in the tone department. So I checked a lot of other components and all of the resistors that I've tested have dwelled out of spec. I'm thinking I need to replace just about everything.

On three other forums I mentioned that I was considering modifying it and the members had a collective cow. I'm just wondering if that would happen here because I won't bother mentioning it. It seems there are a lot of actually valuable amps, like classic Marshalls and such, that get modified here so I'm hoping to be able to discuss it without the conniption fits.
I once turned a '64 Fender Princeton into "Teh Snorkler".

The Internets was aghast.

IDGAF
:rawk:
 
It's just not that great sounding. AB165 circuit is the worst of them, IMO.
Well, I say go for it then. Find some tasty mods and see what happens. If you aren't into that sound I'd sell it personally, then you can get something you really like with the money.
 
I‘m not bassman expert or connaisseur, but with vintage stuff I would only let mod it by someone reputable that is known in the industry. I admit, there are people here, that are more pragmatic (less tan-panty) about about modding vintage stuff.

If you really would want to mod the shit out of it, why not get a cheap clone and start there?
 
I‘m not bassman expert or connaisseur, but with vintage stuff I would only let mod it by someone reputable that is known in the industry. I admit, there are people here, that are more pragmatic (less tan-panty) about about modding vintage stuff.

If you really would want to mod the shit out of it, why not get a cheap clone and start there?
I don’t want a cheap clone. Besides, this amp is already here and it’s really not that great in its unmodded condition.
 
I don’t want a cheap clone. Besides, this amp is already here and it’s really not that great in its unmodded condition.
Pretty much where I was at..

That Princeton was my first amp. It started shocking me sometime in the 80's, and that began my adventure in repairing and modding amps.

Replaced the "death cap" and ungrounded AC power cord with a 3-prong cord grounded to chassis.
 
I love ab165s but if you don't, they aren't super rare or expensive or anything, so I don't see a huge problem modding it

It IS valuable enough to where I would definitely send it to someone who knows what they're doing instead of doing it myself
 
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