80s solid state conversion to tube amp?

[StingRay85]

maybe a stupid question, but how do you punch the holes in the chassis? what kind of equipment is needed?

 

[neikeel]

I have a set of greenlee punches, 12,19, 20, 25.5, 27.5 and 29mm diameters
For fuses, pre sockets, filter caps, output sockets, bulgin and selectors respectively
Of course depends on diameter needed your parts (modern Amphenol sockets need different sizes vs vintage McMurdos) and Cinch

 

[StingRay85]

The Lead 12 arrived already. Its a 1982 with serial number 101XX, really one the earliest ones produced. Just the kind of small amp I needed for the living room. I was impressed more by its parts than its sound. Very decent handle, pristine pointer knobs, protective corners, slightly aged decal in flawless condition. Rubber feet in good condition. On/off switch. I guess one day it'll restore a JCM800 head shell.

 

[GIBSON67]

I do understand and gave this a good workout before doing the deed!
It did a passable imitation of a bigger JCM800 but had absolutely no sustain and had the screech and howl when the master was cranked. Apart from the fuses and speaker outs on the back it could be returned to stock (minus the ventilation holes) but it will still be a 30w MV amp when I'm done.

You're right, it not the same as a 2204/4010...

 

[StingRay85]

 

[Marcomel79]

Ive been trying to sell my 5210 for two years now. No one wants to buy it. I tried trading it, nothing.....As soon as i can get new transformers, its gonna transform into a jcm800 4010....

 

[Matthews Guitars]

Funny story...just today I was in a music store and there was a silverface Fender Twin in for the amp tech to pick it up for repair. The note on it indicated that the owner was asking if it could be transistorized......



I'm not kidding.

"No, but I'll give you 200 bucks for it and you can buy a transistor amp with the money!"

Just DAMN.

 

[StingRay85]

Ive been trying to sell my 5210 for two years now. No one wants to buy it. I tried trading it, nothing.....As soon as i can get new transformers, its gonna transform into a jcm800 4010....

How much did you ask? I paid 100 for each

 

[Marcomel79]

I guess the equivalent of 200$. I wanna sell it cause i dont use it, but i wouldnt mind adding a 4010 to the fleet..

 

[StingRay85]

Look for cheap donor amp then.

 

[playloud]

Funny story...just today I was in a music store and there was a silverface Fender Twin in for the amp tech to pick it up for repair. The note on it indicated that the owner was asking if it could be transistorized......



I'm not kidding.

"No, but I'll give you 200 bucks for it and you can buy a transistor amp with the money!"

Just DAMN.

Stunning! You're sure the amp hasn't been waiting like that since the 70s?

 

[playloud]

maybe a stupid question, but how do you punch the holes in the chassis? what kind of equipment is needed?

My cheap and cheerful alternative has been to use a step drill bit (and a clamp). The trick is to thoroughly cover the resulting holes with washers/knobs/etc

I would love to get some of those Greenlee punches though...

 

[StingRay85]

Acoustic Control Corp made some very decent solid state 100W combo amps in the 70s and early 80s. Some high end models were as expensive as a Twin. Today they are worth almost nothing.

 

[Matthews Guitars]

I have owned two Acoustic 134s, as a matter of fact. The same amps (type) that Pat Metheny based his tone around since the 70s. It's a 4x10 combo that is knob for knob pretty much a solid state Quad Reverb. LOUD. CLEAN. Makes a hell of a pedal platform.
In both cases I saved them from being scrapped or tossed out. Gave them a little cleaning and attention, recapped them, made a modest profit on them. One is now in Ecuador.

 

[neikeel]

I've not hijacked the thread so I posted some pics here:

https://www.marshallforum.com/threads/marshall-5010-combo-in-progress.131190/