Fender Blues DeVilles and Input Jack Upgrade Woes

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[@erajad]

Glad you're clearing your backlog, _and_ able to break radio silence. We Psioniacs have been missing you. :)

[@dontuckerjr]

Lyle, I’m sure you’ve done this, but I put a 8EB2C1B tank in my HRD and now I can use reverb all the way to 12. So happy. Thank you for all your excellent videos. It’s really helped me out with making my HRD more awesome. 👍

[@richclayton5785]

Nice explanation of the logic behind design and components selections. Not always but most often there’s a good reason behind component choices.

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Thanks for the shortie. Great to see you are well. GBY Sir.

[@glenndavis6793]

Good to hear and see your videos understandable

[@richardlynch5632]

BRAVO 😉😎👍

[@johnwilliamson467]

Shoulder washers of nylon on the input jack . Getting them to hold is the problem . Your solution as it where long jacks with the insulated shoulder bushing . Interesting video .

[@kirksingletary7043]

Hey Lyle, been meaning to send you this tip: For those pesky silicon/hot glue adhesives on the filter caps, try soaking them with alcohol for about 20-30 seconds and they should peel right off.

[@goodun2974]

The original Switchcraft part numbers for black fibre isolating washers *with shoulders* is # 1029: the matching non-shouldered washer is # 1028. Both are necessary, as a set. They are often listed as out of stock, though Tubes and More claims to have them; some aircraft parts suppliers also sell them (for cockpit headphones). They may charge the better part of $2 a pair, which is nuts! If anybody comes up with a cheaper source, please share.

[@butchlauer]

Good stuff.

[@jutukka]

Insulation washers + good quality metal jacks (Switchcraft, Neutrik etc.) is the only smart way what comes to input jacks if you want to tackle hum caused by grounding loop problems etc.. Plastic jacks which of course naturally give insulation to chassis, are electrically OK but usually mechanically not stiff enough to hold the plug, and not rugged enough, and often need even bigger hole than insulation washers need. (But in case of valuable vintage gem amps, I normally never drill input jack holes bigger if insulation washers won't fit. I try to keep it as original as possible. But of course if the owner wants it, it is his or hers decision. And when building a new amp, I always use insulated jacks.

[@roberthurless4615]

I have a bunch of Isolation washers from CE Distribution. Do you know if those will work for those input jack holes? I don't have anywhere near the experience that you do, but I am constantly amazed at the work that you see that has been done by other "techs".

[@nolarocks]

Please disregard if too busy - just wondering if you are accepting new customers. Thinking about dropping off some Marshalls on my way to Nashville.

[@ebeep]

A sidebar I have been meaning to ask: when exactly should we change power tubes? Is it ok to wait until one fails, or might that potentially result in damage to the amp? Should we be preventative and change after so many hours of use? I recall Dave Gregory saying that he’s had his Matchless HC30 since Amiee Mann bought it for him 25+ years ago, uses it daily as it’s his #1 amp, and has yet to change a single tube🤷🏻‍♂️ I don’t want to injure my precious AC30, but I very much enjoy the way it sounds and don’t want to switch out the EHX quad it’s been running for the last 8 years or so unless it’s necessary.

[@chilloutbroseph]

Love the channel, and I’m watching your catalog of videos. Curious to know: Are you optimistic about Western Electric resuming US production of guitar amp vacuum tubes in Georgia?

[@PsionicAudio]

Optimistic about them happening? Yes. Optimistic about any of us being able to afford them? No.

[@dominicisnthere9687]

I recently got into my dad's old amps that he passed to me. I was testing out this 1982 peavey renown after replacing the speakers, and the reverb seemed weak. At least, I could set it to 10 and it won't be "too much reverb." Would a new tank be in order? It has an accutronics tank in it that I assume must be original

[@Murry_in_Arizona]

Lyle ever thought of creating a recommended reading list? Ton of books on amplifiers and electronics most expensive, anything you'd recommend for the beginner/hobbyist that will give the most bang for buck?

[@erajad]

Check out the link that goes with this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKq2iGSYpsShj5I I'm sure there are others across Lyle's many videos, but that at least is a rich starting point.

[@kwgm8578]

Hi Lyle. Have you explained ground loop faults in another video, maybe with a quick diagram? That might be of interest to many viewers, including myself.

[@erajad]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKq2iGSYpsShj5I Plus several others. (The "channel search" feature works well! :)

[@Irkin_Bollikans]

Hey Lyle, love the content as usual. I have a question about ground loops. The filter cap board from a vibrolux reverb custom has a single ground trace for all the filter caps. There are 3 points to connect ground wires to said single trace. Should they still be terminated at their normal locations even though they share the same trace? Seems like a quick recipe for ground loops. Please ease my mind

[@PsionicAudio]

Not an issue. The design has a good ground scheme.

[@Irkin_Bollikans]

@@PsionicAudio I left the part out where I'm using this cap board in an amp other than the one it came from. Given that there is a chance to make changes, should I cut the ground trace to give 3 separate grounds? I'm just not sure why all the caps would go to a single ground trace and then go to three different chassis points.

[@erajad]

@@Irkin_Bollikans Hi - you probably don't need me to point this out, but I will anyway. :) Did you see the other "ground loop" videos that Lyle's produced (along with pointers to further reading)? E.g., kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKq2iGSYpsShj5I I expect you have, but mention it "just in case".... ;) (And apologies if I've got the wrong end of the stick here.)

[@picksalot1]

Thanks for posting the link to Lyle's Ground Loops video.

[@Irkin_Bollikans]

@@erajad Thank you, I have seen them, and will be watching them again haha. I'm still a little green

[@chrisfit]

Does that heat sink work as well as replacing them off the board?

[@PsionicAudio]

It has another beneath the resistors. A overkill but it works.

[@astewart9410]

Hey all, I’ve played modelling amps for 30 years, never owned a tube amp. Thinking it’s time to step up. For quieter home use only, which tube amp would you buy as awesome and play it forever?

[@jaysorensenIBEW]

Blues Jr. You'll love it.

[@astewart9410]

@@jaysorensenIBEW I tried one in the shop, it was nice. Kinda got lost in the big room of the store though, I think I'd want to try it at home for a bit. I could rent one. Cheers!

[@DrRussPhd]

It sounds like you are dealing with the burden of success, Lyle. Too many amps and not enough time. Post videos when you can, we can't ask for anything more than that.