How to repair 62 Fender Princeton Tube guitar amp smoked power transformer bring it back to life!

[@fiddlix]

Being a retired amptech your channel is THE BEST channel on KZbin for content of its kind.

[@d-labelectronics]

Thank you my friend, I will continue to provide good content

[@bso6371gt]

My pro reverb trans spewed out all over and still works.

[@natureandphysics403]

Terry reminds me of expert pet doctor Granville Bennett from the James Herriot stories. The worse the animal, the more Granville wants the case!

[@theguitaramptech]

Another great video Terry. Thank you. Mercury magnetics are too expensive to get to Australia. Thankfully, Hammond has a local distributor here, and I have found their products to be excellent and very diverse.

[@andrewwilliss6500]

Mercury Magnetics over hyped and over priced garbage. Marketing lies telling gullible people that their power cords will give superior tone - absolute snake oil. Shame!

[@thomasburnett4712]

I know Uncle Doug and many other amp techs will be heartbroken that Classic Tone Transformers went out of business too!

[@brich2929]

I am.

[@lljsullins9181]

@@brich2929 Same here. Planned on a Twin Reverb build and doubt that it will happen. Others are too expensive.

[@ionut5350]

@@lljsullins9181 there is always the alternative of winding your own. It sounda daunting but once you do it once or twice its no big deal.

[@stephenbarlin2314]

If you can’t stop Tony playing then you know you’ve fixed it.

[@edwardhannigan6324]

Nice repair and information with expert tips..Awesome channel..Ed..U.K..😀

[@chrisbarrett5132]

Those burned out transformers could well become the only source of replacements in the future. As the production of new replacements becomes uneconomic, I believe there will be a demand for originals to rewind for the people who continue to want proper amps.

[@guppybill]

I had a 64 princeton. My uncle Dave "fixed" it for me once. Shocked the hell out of me when I touched my strings. Thanks uncle Dave. Dork. I got a permed mullet out of it though.

[@noslen954]

I love watching these old fender amps being repaired.

[@Bleats_Sinodai]

Bummer that ClassicTone is going under! At least here in Brazil we have Schatz, who makes replicas of most tube amp transformers, and also do custom ones (my Honeytube amp uses a custom O.T. from them).

[@Finom1]

Bless you for sharing your wisdom with us and always providing great educational videos. You are a Humble and Honorable man.

[@cheycasters]

Terry, your an asset to the Tube Amp Community!!! and a Treasure!!!

[@SteveHacker]

Fantastic! Thanks for making a longer video and now beginning to step up and actually show your work and teach! Outstanding! Much better! Please keep it up! The longer, the more teaching, and the more work shown, the better! THANKS! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@abeck5598]

Hi there, I watch your channel all of the time I love your humor I also have a "snozarimus"!! for heavy solder joins. I have just completed a Princeton Reverb amp AA1164 and it sounds great, I now have the bug and want to build a 62 fen... clone similar to the amp you have just repaired . Can you tell me what schematic is appropriate for this build. Regards Tony .. Aus..

[@umajunkcollector]

Where did GHOULARDI come from? PORTUGHOUL! Big Chuck is getting close to 88 years old, Ernie Anderson died long ago. Dick Goddard died recently at 89 of Alsheimers.

[@edwardmonsariste4050]

Does Hammond have direct replacements for Fender and Marshall? Last time that I checked into Hammond (years ago), their output transformers had weird speaker taps. Did they ever fix that, as in simple 4,8,16ohm taps for use with a normal 3way switch?

[@electrolytics]

Relax, sit back...light up an Old Ghoul......muah ha ha.....!

[@richgriffith5541]

Where do you get the $6 clippers? I bought a pair from China and they broke the first time I used them. Love your videos!

[@d-labelectronics]

They are made by Hakko, Check TEequipment www.tequipment.net/I just bought a case for $4.71 ea

[@566hank]

Couldn’t you just cut the red/white instead of connecting to a terminal strip?

[@jeffadams5510]

15:30 when you soldered that 1 ohm resistor to the tube socket pin, it was really thin. So much it looked like it broke free when soldering the other end to the chassis. Towards vids end it still looked thin....

[@kendavis8046]

I love your videos. Any chance you could ever do a video, even if just a discussion, with Uncle Doug? I love his stuff as well. I watch you both. [EDIT] And I think I am right in the middle of the average of your ages. But that is a state of mind! :-)

[@mobicus1]

Great vid! Happy Bday to your Mom!

[@sethgross3904]

Are you from Battle Creek mi!?! I’ve been watching your channel for a while now and never knew!! I’ve got a 5150 that’s acting kinda funny.

[@d-labelectronics]

Yes, I live in the Pennfield area

[@noahpavey6504]

Out of habit I realized I was holding my breath while those solder fumes were going up at the camera😂 Great repair video!

[@jima3129]

I have a computer fan attached right on my soldering station that I run off a 10.8 volt battery from an old stick vac. Sucks those fumes right away from my face. It's zip tied to a metal angle plate, and stuck on there with a couple ;of magnets. Works a peach!

[@wadereynoldsgm]

Mojotone has made in USA drop in replacement power transformers for popular Fender amps including the blackface Princeton. Not sure how good they are or who makes them.

[@brich2929]

Heyboer makes them.

[@dhpbear2]

Maybe that 70uF filter cap did in the transformer?

[@kxmrock]

The Snoz don't take guff off'a old/cold solder make sure to keep that hungry Iron fed

[@robinosborne266]

Another excellent video Terry, always a pleasure to watch you at work.

[@electrolytics]

Tony!! You riffin' out some Hot Tuna? Expecting a huge bass line to come in behind ya there.

[@andybonneau9209]

Nice riff from Tony. Great job from Terry, as usual.

[@blues61]

Always fun and informative watching your amp repairs. Whenever you say "snozzaramus", even when it's not in frame, I hear a deep maniacal laugh... :-)

[@esmeecirolozano7618]

Hahha yeah 😂😂😂

[@rmy3918]

Better than NEW thanks to U : )

[@strangequark420]

Portughoul! That's the first time I noticed that ... ha!

[@steveh1273]

what tube pin and the pin's function did you connect the 1 ohm resistor to ground for bias measurement, the cathode?

[@d-labelectronics]

Pin 8 on each 6V6 to chassis

[@Parkwoodparkenfarker]

Mercury Magnetics or maybe Heyboer for replacement transformers?

[@ScottyBrockway]

Heyboer for sure.

[@umajunkcollector]

Terry the Fendermeister

[@regortex3364]

Man you do nice work, I’ve learned so much, can’t thank you enough for sharing. 10/10

[@p_mouse8676]

I am a bit confused about ClassicTone because their website is still up and running, with no mention of anything at all? Hammond basically has the same models

[@matthewf1979]

No, Hammond does not have the same models. Classictone made exact replacement transformers, similar to the much more expensive Mercury Magnetics transformers.

[@p_mouse8676]

@@matthewf1979 I don't understand? Hammond has the same models also spect and having the looks of the original parts (as much as possible)?

[@matthewf1979]

@@p_mouse8676 if you look at the specs, they’re wildly off. Most of the Hammond transformers have an overbuilt high voltage secondary that supply amps with voltages beyond original specs. That is detrimental to performance, especially when it can damage circuitry not designed to deal with 50 + vdc over component ratings. If you build a clone or something, that’s ok, but old amps have 450vdc electrolytic caps and 400vdc & 200vdc coupling caps.

[@tomasjones3755]

Thx for nutha fine repair! Curious, about the filter caps. Your are correct, in that Fender never put a 70/40/40mfd in such a an early small amp.Your unit looks like a 6G2 chassis ; orig spec was 30/30/30. I wouldn't be surprised if the excess filter value contributed to the transformer's early demise. I also agree with the high moisture being a factor.

[@umajunkcollector]

Funny thing T man, when I was a youngins, CDs beat rekees, got rid of vinyl. Solid state beat tubes, hated distorted tube stuff, went transistors. Still prefer digital and solid state, but oh that old time tube sound with vinyl snap crackle and pop, lol. On the other hand, an old restored tube AMPEX RtR, reelers are still fantastik! Perhaps you'll restore a nice Ampex reeler someday... ?

[@divingduck1545]

I sure appreciate your sharing your knowledge with novices like myself. Thank you !!!!!

[@anthonysilva5312]

Hammond has a great line or Fender spec replacements. I used their PT in my ‘57 tweed build.

[@thomaswestfall809]

Happy Birthday to your Mom! Great video as always....

[@putzengiler]

Nice job..the power transformer went on my '67 Ampeg B15N recently ..Luckily ,Chris was able to re-pot the the original transformer...

[@KC9KEP]

I supposed the information is too "sensitive" to publish here .. But does anyone have any suggestions: How much would you charge for such a repair? Parts mark up? Labor rate? :-)

[@douro20]

Getting transformers from New Sensor may be problematic for a while since their transformers were made by Magnetic Components and their sister company Marvel.

[@erwinroman4217]

Just found your channel and subscribed! I have a '68 Dripedge "Blackline" Pro Reverb. Love it but the background hiss and sputter are getting worse. I'd welcome thoughts on where to start looking. Thanks.

[@dwightjt]

Yes to hell with originallity and collectabillity f that. Thanks for makeing it safe and sounding Great again. (Collectable shit on that way overpriced crap. Just make it good and playable again. Usability Is much better than crap and GREED Terry U do very good work thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@kendavis8046]

Terry, I had a fellow band mate way back in 1980 or '81 that bought a Princeton with a crappy cabinet. He had a local cabinet maker in San Antonio build him a replica cabinet in birds-eye maple, and had the amp worked over as well. But as a sometime woodworker, that bird cabinet was to die for. Not a bit of Tolex, just the gorgeous wood. Sorry for multiple comments, but perhaps that feeds the algorithm twice? Still love your channel, and thanks.

[@chrischwaz7788]

This is probably not the best place to ask this question but I recently got a fender oil can echo /reverb 3 it looks a lot like the inside of one of these amps it a 1968 more question is does this one have the death cap?

[@chrischwaz7788]

Does anyone know if this unit the fender echo reverb 3 has a death cap

[@ericedelman]

I recently did a dumb thing and smoked the PT on my 1980 Deluxe Reverb. I have a Hammond drop in replacement on the way. Do I need to change all the caps under the cap cover when I install the new PT?

[@TheStimpy60]

I’ve been a fan of your channel and work for a while now Terry and I’ve learned a lot. I’ve built one Tweed 5E3 and loved it. I always suspected from some comments you were a USAF trained guy. I would be interested to know more about what you did in the service. I was trained at Keesler AFB, and then served 3 years at Minot AFB in the 70’s. One of my instructors had the best description of an amplifier circuit... makes big stuff out of little stuff 😆

[@sski]

Awesome refurb, Terry! always fun to hear the 'Snozzesaurus' audio clip. You know stuff's getting real when that's on.

[@wa4sw827]

What is the wattage of the Snozeramus?

[@brich2929]

Same question I have

[@LookingForEntertainment112]

All of them

[@d-labelectronics]

The Ungar tip is model 4033 47-56 watts

[@Splattle101]

The leads on the OT look new. Is that a replacement OT?

[@Splattle101]

@@brich2929 WTF are you talking about? D-Lab changed the POWER transformer. He said nothing about the OT. I am commenting that the leads on the OT (inside the chassis) look new.

[@MrMrjauregui]

Happy birthday to your mom Terry!!

[@d-labelectronics]

Thank you, spent time with her today, good memory

[@redtapemusic]

You did not twist together the heater supply and HT leads to the rectifier to reduce hum, as they were originally? Was that intentional, or an oversight ?

[@waynegram8907]

What is the difference in the 12AX7 LONG Plate compared to short Plate? What did you use on the bottom of the bias pot to make it not more on the chassis?

[@66g0yy]

Hello, was wondering, if you accept amp,work in this vain,to be sent to you ,obviously I can send you all info but up your alley, and was very curious, about be a customer, any way, love your show, d,lab coffee mugs, good merch lol, take care

[@tomk1tl39]

Another great vid from Terry....if/when you ever retire, you will not have any problems getting bored for sure !

[@gri7]

im having a similar situation. i have a smell out of mine and dead audio not even a hum. but its old 1961 so i figured just musty old smell from being in old storage. my tubes and pilot light still light up. would that happen with a dead power transformer? if not i have to loot at the output section.

[@dambuster6387]

Hammond do replacements for Fender not sure which ones ? I was looking at there site a few weeks ago and noticed replacements for fender amps.

[@cBroadbo]

I know all the vintage amp guys would rather see you test the blue molded caps before removing them, and only take them out if they are indeed leaking or out of spec.

[@dwightjt]

Hwahwahwahyahyahyahyayakyakyakhyak Hyakyakyak. Snozeramis to the rescue again.

[@johnmccabe7645]

Very nice Tony! Dime that volume and back off the guitar volume to clean it up! That was beautiful

[@BenState]

When your playing makes the squirrels go for the trees :)

[@djefferson5669]

Nice amp cradle! Can anyone point me in the direction of plans to make this particular design of cradle?

[@Kenman540]

Mercury Magnetics are the best transformers IMO.

[@johnmarshall3903]

Overhyped and overpriced. They would be my last resort.

[@ScottyBrockway]

People with vintage amps shouldn't be running them on 120 volts when they were designed for 110-115 volts, it's a common issue these days when a lot of power coming out of the wall is sometimes 125 or higher.

[@infectionsman]

A fused variac and digital voltmeter is a must

[@Bob-ir2bj]

I built a bucking transformer for my old tweed deluxe years ago. It drops my line voltage down to 114. Cheap and easy way to reduce voltage.

[@timmooney7528]

I have never seen a transformer burn up. Thanks for finding some new and interesting failures to cover.

[@jasonjurczyk692]

It looks like you have the power switch on the neutral wire. Is there a benefit to doing it that way?

[@cheycasters]

MERCURY MAGNETICS Terry!!

[@cchavez248]

Mega money....!!

[@cchavez248]

@Rob S I've heard some who swear by them but I really haven't had any experience with them. BTW, I have not seen any notices on Classic Tone's FB or website annoucing their closing.......

[@brich2929]

@@cchavez248 twice the price or more

[@audiotechlabs4650]

So who will we get transformers from now that Classictone is going away? I depend on you and Uncle Doug and others to let us know of changes and how to deal with them. If you have another supplier/manufacturer for transformers, lets us know. Great repair of this jewel, and of course having Tony tickle the strings to let us hear how she sounds. Love from NW Colorado. Thanxz

[@GenerationXT]

Maybe Hammond or Edcor.

[@rakentrail]

I sure hope that's not Mrs. D-Lab's toothbrush!

[@scole901]

what about mercury magnetics tone clone.

[@dalecostich8794]

squirrel stole the show at 26 minutes in....i own a Princeton 65 and appreciate the vid KC7IVJ

[@tomk1tl39]

LMAO.....I saw that too....good catch ! I have a 65 Princeton RI......almost tempted to rewire the whole thing with P/P. Went thru two (2) sets of 6V6's even tho they were properly biased, I believe one of the tubes in each set were defective....started to internally arc...made a hell of a racket. I installed 'Amp Doc' tubes and have not had an issues since !

[@dancraver3815]

Lindstrom are expensive cutters

[@salmonjan111]

Chuck Berry is still alive?

[@moorec1053]

26:33 ...... GO Mr Squirrel..!!! 🙂

[@chrisdebarge7138]

Did I see a black squirrel in the yard at the very end of the video? Rarer than a 62 Princeton!

[@ianbutler1983]

Chris, I live in NE Ohio and they are all over the place. It makes me laugh because when I attended Kent State University in the 1980's they were always talking about how rare their black squirrels were. They even had a Black Squirrel Festival as if they had sole rights to them. I don't know, maybe they have spread out over the years.

[@ne2i]

Blackface Squirrel

[@regortex3364]

@@ne2i - that’s our Prime Minister 🇨🇦

[@chrisdebarge7138]

@@ianbutler1983 I've seen, I think, 3 in my whole life living in New England, and I'm not young.

[@DeathCapAmplification]

Terry, it is a shame about Classictone. However I really like Hammond transformers for these jobs and building clones. They offer a wide variety for these old fenders. There are others too but hammonds perform well, they are labeled great, won’t break the bank, and offer a huge variety of replacements. They are easy and fast to get from Mouser.com.

[@russellhltn1396]

I hope that epoxy never turns loose. I'd hate to have that metal pot moving around that close to the terminal board.

[@jimtalltheislandbrothers6639]

When Terry said he used epoxy the same thought went through my mind. If It did go loose there would be fireworks. I am sure he has used this method successfully in the past though. Another great video.

[@davidwhitson4558]

Hammond has a full line of transformers. Antique Electronics stocks them

[@drteknical6571]

They're a good company! When I re-capped and re-tubed my Heathkit W-4B Williamson amp, I used components from them. Great parts, great service, and fast delivery!

[@chokkan7]

Terry, I've been a fan since well before you repaired my '59 Fender Deluxe chassis; very nice job on this one, as always...

[@jchabalk]

I had that same set of wire cutters for several years - i used them for a few build and misused them much more than i've seen you lean on yours. But then one day i figured they'd be perfect for trimming my strings during a re-string. wrong. that wrecked them

[@d-labelectronics]

Yep, I agree, they are great cutters for soft wire. You can buy them in cases of 10 for less than $5.00 ea!

[@jchabalk]

@@d-labelectronics They're well worth it. I bought 2 more sets after i wrecked those, and a proper set of hardened cutters for my strings - so i didn't have to use the ones that are part of the string winder anymore. Love your videos - i always learn something new.

[@johnsimms3957]

Good job Terry.

[@yorktown7395]

Could you find a specialist to rewind that original transformer? Be nice to keep the matching codes even if you’d have to wait while they did the work.

[@ne2i]

There was one called TRS but he retired and sold the company.

[@brich2929]

Mercury Magnetics has a rewind service. Yes, its pricey.And slow.

[@ne2i]

The guy from bluenote bought it but still havent seen anything from him yet.

[@matthewf1979]

I still don’t agree with replacing the output tube grid coupling caps. They should be tested at their rated voltage, and replaced if they fail. Yet, it’s not me doing the work and if the customer is happy, that’s what matters. Thanks for sharing your work Terry!

[@kengevers8738]

Nice job, Terry

[@AntonioCavicchioni]

Sounds very good! Greetings to the guitar man!

[@cBroadbo]

Sure hope the owner gets the original PT rewound, or at least holds on to it and keeps it with the amp.

[@soundcityec]

Hello! where Can I get an iron like that? how can I search the web for it?

[@basurofobo]

Ungar, look for it in eBay

[@hestheMaster]

At 9:38 we get to hear Ghoulardi! At 11:48 wouldn't it be better to twist the two center tap wires together then solder them to the chassis? Excellent idea on using a double ended screw post terminal board for all those wires. They won't be going anywhere but where you solder them. Like the wire dressing you did in the chassis because it should eliminate any induced hum. All in all you have excellent restoring techniques Terry . I guess that's why I appreciate all your amp repair videos! Sad about Classic Tone going bye, bye. Oh, and happy birthday to your mom! Steve

[@d-labelectronics]

Thank you Sir, I enjoy your kind support. I wont let you down

[@brich2929]

@@d-labelectronics Terry, what wattage and model number is Snozeramus?

[@Rzzmtzz]

Cool. You turned it into an export model.

[@coldfinger459sub0]

I never played a guitar. But you make me want to rebuild my first tube guitar amp. Enjoy the Tony C test of approval at the end