How to quickly re-cap Fender Tube Guitar amp Filter Capacitor replacement D-Lab

This Fender Super Reverb amp came to the shop for a quick cap job. All were original, and showing their age. I had the parts on hand, so it was a swift repair. The amp was in great shape except for the output transformer, which had been replaced in the past. That will be replaced in the future, as soon as an original can be located. My friend Joby will be shooting this amp with different pedals soon. When complete, I will post links to his videos.
jobyregrets Demo of the completed amp here:
• 1965 Fender Super Reve...

[@Crimsonskiessound]

You are the best describer ever. You speak in layman’s terms and not in a ‘time to flex my electrical knowledge’ manner. Really appreciated that. Currently recapping a 66 pro reverb and this was a great resource to just cross reference my work. Instant subscribed!

[@jackallen6261]

Great video! Very helpful to us "new guys" I'm 54 but just now getting into tube electronics repair! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@howardrose8481]

Terry, Thanks for demonstrating the “J” hook soldering technique. I find that the less manipulation of existing wiring, the fewer new problems will surface. BTW, I own a 1967 Super Reverb which I rebuilt from scratch. It is the last amp I will ever sell; one of Leo’s best.

[@d-labelectronics]

Yes Sir, That was taught to me while in the USAF

[@Jah_Rastafari_ORIG]

So when is the "To J-hook or not to J-hook?"--punch-up between you and Uncle Doug scheduled...? Very strong opinions...

[@audiotechlabs4650]

X-CELL-LENT!! I NEVER get tired or bored watching these amp servicing videos, although some may say they are redundant! I say Bullshit! Every amp is different, in their own way. Sure the caps have to be dealt with and out of tolerance resist-a-taters, all tube amps have those troubles, but even though you have done this kind of video before, please, keep posting these "gems". They are so vital to tube amp junkies, like me and you! Thanxz

[@d-labelectronics]

Roger that man, will do. Yes, I agree, every amp has different type failures. When I'm in the shop, the video is rolling. I appreciate your support.

[@BillBowyer1971]

Your video classes are priceless and exciting. I would have never quit school if you were there.

[@jeffs7482]

I haven't even made it halfway through this video and it's already one of the best I've seen. It's a real gift to be able to speak extemporaneously in a clear and logical fashion that provides a clear picture of what needs to be done. This is a high-value video, I've learned a ton in just a few minutes.

[@Newwaver2007]

Glad these videos are around, I got a Fender amp too, so there’s a chance I might one day be looking into these videos. Have a good one 😎👍🏻

[@Jazzbanjorex]

Always love you videos Terry. I remember High Reliability Soldering. Great times. Very informative video. If I get ahold of my dad’s 64 Champ I’ll need to do this to it. I picked up a Blues Jr 3 the other day for a price I couldn’t pass up.

[@jwhite8797]

Man thank you so much for spending your time to show such a well explained video fixing these. I can't even put into words how grateful I am for video's like these because you legitimately help me defeat problems with anything when I'm on my own.

[@luthravin4774]

That was an awesome video!! My 64’ sounds great but I think I give it a check up as it’s been 10 years since it’s last one.. thanks for all the explanations when changing out these amps parts!! Love all the Videos.. have a glass of Vino on me D-Lab

[@330rocket]

It’s great that you share you knowledge with people who are willing to learn. I have watched many of your videos and have learn so much. I can’t thank you enough. My knowledge is growing with each video. To date I have 21 amps in my collection, most of which I have repaired with your help. Thanks a Million.

[@d-labelectronics]

Super cool man, Glad to see people getting into the art of vintage repair.

[@SIXSTRING63]

Great video of a classic amp Terry. I rebuilt a '67 Dual Showman a few years ago. The negative bias cap was gone and made a hell of a racket LOL. It had been in a basement for years with rodent hairs and poo all over it. Went through and re-capped it and took it to blackface specs from Gerald Weber's books. It sounded amazing after it was all done.

[@carlburgess9635]

Thanks for your videos, I really enjoy them. Back in the late 50's and early 60's I used to buy what was called a "Squib" It was what looks like the spring out of an ink pen, about 1/3 inch. It was tinned copper wire. You used it to make solder joints with removed … resistors, capacitors... or what ever. You would cut out the bad part and leave a small lead. Then you would place the "Squib" over the left over lead and put the replacement lead into the squib and apply solder and then you would have a great connection. I have never heard of a failure of this connection, also I have found this connection in vintage TV's that I packed up. I used to buy them from Allied Radio...not sure of that. I make my own now. Carl

Muy bueno tu trabajo Terry.

[@fiddlix]

I could not agree more. Great work Terri.

[@grewejames1]

As always I enjoyed this video. Thanks!

[@willc8542]

Thanks so much for this, just changed my caps using j-hooks!

[@sam127001]

very informative - I enjoyed this video !

[@Blaydrnnnr]

Great vid... but still leaves me with a lot of questions...my first project is going to be a 1985 Marshall JCM 800. ( also have a '76 Hiwatt a 1983 Hiwatt OL, to maintanance, a '73 SoundCity, as well...) Filter cap check, output tube replacement and bias, would like to check the screen resistors, but havent gotten too much DYI on those yet....Thanks for the vid.

[@Tonetwisters]

Great call on those Sprague Atoms ...

[@lincolnmicrophonellc]

Your channel is inspiring!

[@MrsGULCH]

Thank you for the J-Hook !! :-)

[@jeremybrandelik4109]

Love your videos! I've learned so much about troubleshooting and repairing amps thanks to you. Where/how do you recycle old caps, resistors, and whatnot?

[@fuzzprobe]

Great video! Thanks!

[@JobyP]

Damn... That’s a Nice Amp ;) Thanks Terry!

[@d-labelectronics]

Glad it worked out well man, Another Super reverb repair is here. Always new material for a vid!

[@normjacques6853]

At least a couple of very valuable tips.....since i have a 1970 version of that same amp waiting to go up on the bench!! ....and yes, I plan to 'downgrade' it to blackface spec! A little more work to do the conversion, but worth it, I think! Thanks, Terry! :-)

[@Luc-nd1pi]

thank you very much for these videos, very helpful. Do you have any tips on brands/sites where I can buy quality high voltage axial capacitors?

[@freecitizen2760]

Thank you for that. I’ll be changing the filter caps in my 73’ Deluxe Reverb, and I will use the J-hook method. Some say to up the caps from 16 uf to 22 uf. Others say that’s not a good idea. Any comments would be appreciated. I like to learn.

[@marcoenot6677]

wonderful! thanks for sharing !

[@richardbrobeck2384]

I like Using those Sprague Atom Electrolytic Capacitors

[@Tonetwisters]

Those are my choice as a player, as they seem to last a long doggone time which helps when you're still using the 1964 Super Reverb you bought brand new in early 1964 ...

[@jameswooldridge8757]

Lovely thanks! Any recommendations for a 68 fender champ... I’m changing the power cord to three prong... amp runs well to my ears ... but is there anything else I should do just for an update?

[@nor4277]

Love the video ,I always learn something, with your video thanks,only one question do you check all resisters ,or only certain ones? My father was like you he learn his stuff in the air force ,working on instruments, on air craft,in the military he used a big black analog mulitimeter,when he got out I built him one from a kit ,he used till his death.

[@russellhltn1396]

One caution about the j-hook method. I'd be cautious about doing that on a PC board or if the original connection has low thermal mass. You could end up unsoldering the original connection when you solder the j-hook.

[@sandb1867]

Nice. Would have liked a soundcheck before and after.

[@soapboxearth2]

i have a 74 traynor yba4. i know i should change filter and electrolytics but should all those mustard caps be replaced?

[@joecarpenter5602]

Very good, I have a unmolested mid 60s Deluxe Reverb on the bench now that needs the 3 prong, filter caps, tubes, cleaned ect. Do you ever put high temp silicone inbetween your caps for any vibration? The J hook solder method is useful, you military guys know all the tricks.

[@mfowler8808]

Very good amps I have a SR myself. Are you going to record the OT swap? I've done a lot of swaps myself but it is still fun to watch you horsing around in these great old amps. Mark

[@umajunkcollector]

as my mama used to tell me a gazillion times... "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"! 👍

[@Tonetwisters]

Much agreed! I have never had a Fender amp let me down, and that's after 35 years of weekend warrioring ...

[@RobertKohut]

Nice!!

[@JaffaRoad]

cool video. I have a Fender Princeton '65 reissue that is not always behaving correctly, a guitar tech friend said the symptoms I described indicate a need for a recap. Unlike the amp in this video mine is a Reissue - ie a PCB, do people actually recap those?

[@Tonetwisters]

I have one of these and bought it brand new in early '64. Most players don't like the Orange Drops, btw. Replace that REVERB driver tube with a 12AU7 for better drive control. Please put some NOS 6L6's in that guy for a better vintage tone. I have heard that you can instal somewhat larger filter caps (to a point) to tighten up the bass. Also would like to know if you can lower the mid-range caps to make the bottom end a bit fuller, without using so much BASS control.

[@jeffmitchell9214]

Super Reverb. My favorite amp.

[@d-labelectronics]

I have another coming to the shop today, also needs a cap update

[@jeffmitchell9214]

Cool. I have loved them since 1964 when I first saw one.

[@d-labelectronics]

Your up pretty early

[@rafamoraes82]

Yeap, so am I hahah

[@brich2929]

Terry can you do an updated video on your dummy load setup as you interface it with your scope? PLEASE!!

[@Tonetwisters]

If nothing has been changed in this '64, this is one hurting gator. But show's to go you, how well these were designed and how good the parts were to start with, for it to have lasted anywhere near this long. I bought my '64 brand new, and let me tell you ... that was a LONG time ago. GOOD choice on those blue Atoms. My feeling is the older those filter caps get, the better the amp sounds, regardless of what kind or model. But at some point, they gotta go. And the more you play through those new ones (and new preamp tubes) the better they sound, as they will begin to lose some of those obnoxious ice picky highs ...

[@MrsGULCH]

at 9.47 you mentioned replacing the 2 grid coupling caps. My super Reverb has the same old blue caps like shown in this amp. The 2 cap ratings in mine are .1uf/400V. Would any axial cap with this value work? Not sure what you replaced them with in this video. Thanks again for the video. Very informative.

[@lindseymontana945]

Hi Terry -- I'm a big fan of your videos. I've noticed every Super Reverb schematic I've seen calls for 20uF/525V filter caps? And every repair video I've seen uses 20uF/500V. I have to do this job soon, I've found some 20uF/600V caps for $40 apiece. Looking for the green light here to go with cheaper 500V caps, but not entirely convinced yet.

[@ntuncer]

Hello, is there anyone who knows what is that trim pot (8:22) for near by bias cap and how to adjust it?

[@Mahhn]

well, you answered my question of which caps to replace lol

[@ricksworkbench1386]

Great vids as always....Just a thought... When you measure a resistor in the circuit don't your readings suffer? I measured resistors in my Traynor and they measured out of spec so I took them out and wouldnt you know it they measured perfectly out of circuit.

[@imannonymous7707]

The mighty super

[@thefilthygringo9228]

What does a service like this cost?

[@danieleraker2401]

Great video! I just recapped my ’64 Super Reverb exactly like you did in this video. The problem is that it now makes a terrible helicopter noice. Really loud and the rectifier tube is running super hot. Any suggestions? /Daniel from Sweden

[@mikepittman5880]

Is it normal for a faint orange glow to remain near the setter tip of the power tubes after the amp has been powered off? The glow still remains for a while after the amp has been unplugged. The amp is a 1967 Fender Blackface Super Reverb. 🤷🏻‍♂️🙂

[@robertcalkjr.8325]

Thanks Terry. Yep, those old caps need a trash can.

[@alecsturgeon6954]

What would a fair price be to have a blackface bassman serviced in terms of labor?

[@fostexfan160]

A work of art! Anyone know why sprague caps so much more expensive than illinois caps? Just been pricing them to order, they are 6 times more expensive. Are you getting 6 times more quality and reliability?

[@freecitizen2760]

fostex fan : I heard that those Sprague Atom caps are not worth the money. I think someone said something negative about how they are constructed, like the outer appearance does not reflect what’s inside. I have and will buy the F&T’s; people like them and do not like the Illinois caps. From Hoffman’s site: “I am discontinuing Sprague atom filters caps. They are getting crazy expensive. The FT brand is better and way less expensive.”

[@fostexfan160]

@@freecitizen2760 Thanks for the info

[@wesleymorris1]

Got a question for you dlab, can I use a 500v cap, on bias supply and it be ok, I don't have any 160v at this time, same uf, 47uf 500 volts is what cap I'm talking about, it has 47uf 50 volt now, fender Princeton spring reverb I'm repairing, or should I wait and order 47uf 160v

[@kennethiman2691]

You can always go up in voltage but always the same specs

[@Allenbass7]

bias cap 24uF @ 50v replace w/ 33uF @160v negative bias across original cap "meets or exceeds that voltage"

[@2wheelsturnin]

Great video (noob here). I have a Showman head very similar to this. Blows the 2 1/2A slow blow. Being an idiot, I tried a 3A slo blo and it turned on but the blue caps under the cover (in series as you helpfully pointed out) got very hot quickly so I shut it down. Before I order caps - could bad caps cause the fuse to blow? THANKS

[@2wheelsturnin]

I got new filter caps and the amp works again. I will use your suggestion on the bias cap (didn't know what it was until I watched this video). THANK YOU!!

[@Starcrunch72]

Such a treat when you open an un-molested amp...

[@kenhancock8931]

Thx terry ;) clean and i see you don't have a case of OCD. even though you would never see the cap's under the dog house.. my caps would have all the lettering face up at 12 o'clock :-) only god and i would know. lol hope you have a great day :-)

[@6A8G]

Re. the j-hook method, you say you don't interrupt the original solder joint on the board. What if this joint is a dry joint brought about by years of heating? Or when you make the j-hook joint it could partially melt the original solder joint thus making this a "new" dry joint? I am being old fashioned & was taught to take no chances here. You don't need to dis-assemble the cap board, simply heat & remove the old conductor. Re-heat & solder in the new one. I know this is quick & will work well. No disrespect to Boeing or the airforce intended.

[@jackleg266]

please, what tool are you using to cut the caps out? where can it be purchased? thanks

[@RobertLandrum13]

Harbor Freight

[@THEQueeferSutherland]

Ahhh, this J hook thing makes the job way less intimidating.

[@parkermcannally1505]

Preach it queefer.

[@JobyP]

Demo of the completed amp here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYfdoYelmN6sjtU

[@paulh6591]

D-Lab, I have a scan of the book "Theory and Design of Vacuum Tube Amplifiers", by Dr. Joseph Harper, 1964. Would you like me to send you a copy?

[@coteguitars8457]

Hi Paul H. I’d love a copy if that’s ok? Cheers Gav @coteguitars.

[@tsyde2008]

If you still have it, me too!

[@waynekozak1462]

me Three !! Please and thank you @@tsyde2008

[@jerrymcgeorge4117]

Not a fan of J hooking the filters. The 1W carbon comp equalization and dropping resistors on an amp that old virtually always have drifted and need replacement. To do it right the board needs to be swept clean, resistors replaced and jumpers replaced. JMHO of course.

[@tomcurrie7249]

Thumbs down on those blue Sprague filter caps!

[@seancurran6727]

This was great but you didn't do the death cap, or at least didn't show it. Therefore the video search continues.....

[@billyvalentine4365]

It's a proven fact that everyone whos ever tried this instantly died.

[@garyballard723]

Why would an experienced electrician making a training video for newbies use his bare fingers to poke around areas with potentially lethal voltages (even if you've discharged them). Don't you own a non conductive poker of some type like a chopstick? Shouldn't you be teaching others to do the same?

[@nickvictor7398]

I disagree with the j hook method, yes it works and saves time, but doesn't look original on these vintage old amplifiers. Take the extra time and effort.

[@FB-gm6el]

the "just like Boeing" example rings a bit hollow at the moment...😢