How to repair Valco Chicago 51 tube guitar tweed practice amp D-lab

[@jimmy5634]

I just found a1275 model with the Jensen field coil speaker in excellent condition. Sweet amp. I got it for $400.

[@eetechtom]

The tip about the power transformer leakage was very valuable, keep up the good work.

[@matthewf1979]

"Comet 1610" should be the correct model number. Brad has a video on the same amp. Thank for the great vids D-Lab, I always watch them asap.

[@martinreid1740]

Thanks for another great video, looking forward to seeing the completion

[@chokkan7]

Another amazing job, Terry.

[@lilipearl1]

Can't wait for the demo.

[@GB-iy3wt]

Awesome as always D-Lab!

[@SuperCarver2011]

Watched this repair with interest. It certainly has the patina of years of use or was dug out of a garage? N othing as satisfyiing as finding a old vintage amp to bring back that nostalgia feeling. Uses the 6sl7 instead of the other 6Eu7 which you have mentioned is not your favourite preamp tube. Good to see it has a 6V6 too. I sure that that alnico mag speaker sounded pretty good in its day. Alll in all, niot a bad little amp to restore.. reminds me of the Champ.

[@umajunkcollector]

I like the old speaker, either the recone upgrade, or coffee filter glue repair. Who knows, maybe Joe Walsh started out with a little amp like this, and a Sears geetar?

[@islanderwinder]

Nice video Terry

[@RobertKohut]

Great video!

[@bentstruments]

Outstanding video!!

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

I really like your audio dummy load. Have you ever published the details or do you sell them. I would love to see the inside it. I have done my own video of building one with a sound card interface. But I really like your built in power meters. I'm just about to have a go at repairing a Iwatsu scope same model as yours that won't trigger. Just wondered if you every had any problems with the one you have. Enjoying your contents best regards AllTheGearNoIdea AKA Chris. Currently enjoy the one day of summer here in the uk with some brain juice

[@matthewf1979]

The "Chicago 51" was the mailing code pre zips. Not the model #. Brad at the Guitalogist might know what model it is.

[@steveearly9009]

Matt is exactly right. zip code 60651 made on the West side of Chicago

[@vonzigle]

Steve Early In the pre zip days, it was common to omit the state for major cities and just use the postal "zone" number...

[@TheGuitologist]

Right, "Chicago 51" is the postcode where the Valco factory was located before zip codes came in. The model is a Comet 1610. I made a video of the exact same model on my channel. Great little amps. I even built a clone.

[@douro20]

Don't have an insulation tester?

[@A.WebbAndFriends]

I have a mysterious tube amp problem that maybe you can look into regarding the SUPRO 1650RT ROYAL REVERB (reissue). I am having tube Rectifier issues that is making me very frustrated and costing me money. FIRSTLY you should know there are two (2) models within the 1650RT line. A 35/45/60 rectifier config knob, and a 35/60 toggle switch line. I have the 35/60 watt toggle switch version. Bought mine USED and out of warranty. Both versions have DUAL RECTIFIERS. the 60 watt (AB) mode uses a digital rectifier that I have to crank up to 3/4 and I do get some gain, but the 35 watt (A) mode uses a tube rectifier - The CLEANS sound angelic - really nice but absolutely no gain in the 35 watt mode. I bought TWO new rectifier tube and both tubes did Not fire up, just dead in the water which lead me to believe the TUBE RECTIFIER section of this amp is down. Any way for me to test it? Maybe something simple in the amp is unplugged or unjacked? I really could use your input OR ANYONE READING THIS feel free to chime-in. Thanks in advance - I looked everywhere for any forums on the subject - but nothing. HELP !!

[@toledoz71]

SR. I DO REALLY NEED YOUR HELP... I'VE A ZENITH 6S 229 AND IT JUST HUMS.. PLS. HELP

[@audiotechlabs4650]

I see your subscriptions are going up! No wonder, with these kind of videos. Your Ham radio videos are great! There are more geetar guys than Ham guys, so go figure. Great video, as always. So you replaced those 25/25 electrolytics with orange drops? Should Valco have put orange drops types in the beginning? Were those bypass or coupling caps? Thankz

[@d-labelectronics]

Hello, I replaced the 25uf's with new axial s. They are black, so hard to see in the video. The orange drops are the coupling and tone caps. Hope this helps. I do appreciate your friendship + support on my video adventures. Lots more to come. TD

[@audiotechlabs4650]

D-lab Electronics Terry I must have not seen them. Sorry. Thank you for your reply. Thankz

[@lilredsrt2005]

Man I wish you had held the camera back just a little further so I could see the model this amp is. I can find that schematic anywhere. I found one close but it has only one 25/25 not 2. Mine is exactly like this one. I’m having issues with the sound fading out after you strum a guitar and then no sound until you strum the guitar. It’s like it has to have an input signal work. I’ve changed all caps, tubes and out of tolerance resistors and I’m stuck.. I’ve also replaced the output transformer. Someone a long time ago swapped speakers and I guess the lost the original transformer.

[@sworgan1]

looks like a model 510-11 to me (Chicago 51) is the address

[@2tallB]

It’s very similar but the the can on the 510-11 is 10/10/10, and the layout is a little different.

[@johnborchardt448]

hey I have a question about repairing an older Laney amp. how can I get a hold of you?

[@d-labelectronics]

Hello John. My contact info is on d-labamps.com

[@RobertKohut]

I like how the switch is labeled "Switch"....LOL I would think "On/Off" or "Power" would be better. Good thing they didn't label the knobs, "Knob"....LOL

[@daleburrell6273]

...WELL, IF YA DON'T LIKE IT- YA DON'T HAVE TO EAT IT!!!

[@God-CDXX]

this looks like my supro comet

[@James62]

The type of rivet is better described as "semi-tubular."

[@JolicoeurAbear]

anyone know the dimensions for this amp?

[@jp040759]

Don't you go into the circuit and balance it out so it clips on the top and bottom of the sine wave symmetrically??????

[@martysquire1054]

Wouldnt sound like a valco if he "fixed" the circuit. One of the things guitarists like about valco/supro is the way it saturates the ot and rolls into a very particular type of distortion (whole amp overdrive) which we guitarists of a certain stripe covet.⚡⚡

[@carlosedwardos]

Not sure why he wouldn't want 3 new discrete electrolytic caps hidden under the chassis, and keep the old look by keeping the old filter can in place, which could just sit there unconnected and not hurt a thing, and would also eliminate the labor and mess of drilling - you guys are doing it the hard way, and losing the original look in the process - WTF?

[@cardboardboxification]

burrito rustler well, 99.9% of the people in the would never know the difference

[@umajunkcollector]

I feel the same way, keep the original "look" on something like this. I'd keep that speaker too. I think restuffing is kinda dumb too, but if there isn't room, so be it. Back in the 50s/60s, many a garage/basement band used these amps to piss off the neighbors. Add a Kapa and go man go.

[@garyeggleton1142]

you really need to learn to play guitar lol