Install 3-Prong Power Cord In Old Tube Amplifier

I replace an old crusty power cable for a grounded 3-prong power cord.
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[@tzed2509]

Came here to research adding a 3-wire cord to a hi-fi tube pre-amp. Pretty much the same exact process, including checking the fuse rating which is a very good suggestion, thanks!

[@tonyperek7292]

I’m glad there are vids showing how to convert 2 prong plug to 3 prong. I’ve seen people brake off the ground wire to enable 2 prong outlet operation. Very dangerous- and may I add leathal.

[@fenderfanatic25]

It amazes me with how well developed all of your content is! Thank You for your amazing content, please keep it up!

[@marsmediapro]

Although I definitely plan on replacing the two prong AC cable on my Silvertone 1483 tube head, I am considering installing an IEC Jack. In that way I'm not concerned with cable storage when I move the amp and I can use a multitude of other cables. Thanks for the informative video!

[@MrJazzohjazz]

Excellent video .. Thanks so much, Some older people may required a wee bit slower speech ... like me. However, this was very helpful.

[@MrJazzohjazz]

@Test Account Thank you. I understand. Have a good day.

[@ehss192]

Good video all though I wouldn't use a crimp connector for the ground. At a minimum you want to avoid the crimp and solder the ring terminal to the ground wire. Even better you solder the wire directly to the chassis. These things are considered 'best practices' in the tube amp world and crimping anything would be frowned upon. For a gigging amp on the road with all the vibration and abuse they endure I wouldn't trust a crimp specially when it comes to grounding.

[@derekec]

Just sent a question but have another. If you blow a fuse but forget to shut the power switch you've just wired up....and the fuse blew owing to a short, when you replace the fuse with your bare hand and the circuit comes alive...would you get shocked being you're touching metal? Again...dumb here with a little knowledge but I can't think this all through? OTOH, if you wired the cord through the fuse, that would also become a live circuit as you replace the fuse because the power switch is still on so again...just confused! I can find a bad part and (safely) solder in a new one but past that it's just a maze of thoughts I can't think through to make any mods.

[@mosinmeister25]

My old Fender Concert has a worn 18ga 3 prong cord. I can only find either a 16ga-3 or a 14ga-3 replacement cord. Does it matter which gauge I use?

[@backlineguy]

so if the new 3-wire cord is not Black and White wires, but Blue, Brown and Green/Yellow (ground), does it matter which is hot or neutral? and shouldn't I snip and remove the Death Cap completely once the grounded cord is installed?...even if it's bypassed?

[@derekec]

Confused and maybe dumb...my 1927 house is wired with old 2 prong outlets - breaker boxes grounded to a basement metal pipe. If I convert to 3 prong cord and then forced to use a 2 prong adapter (without connecting the adapter's ground tab) isn't that much more dangerous than simply properly orienting the old 2 prong cord? Better yet just install a modern polarized 2 prong plug assuring proper orientation and therefore grounding. OTOH, I suppose this arrangement would be dangerous in a 3 prong outlet since the wider prong would connect to neutral and totally bypass the lower grounded hole. Do I have this all correct before I start changing cords that might not suit my old house? Thanks in advance.

[@BourneAccident]

Switch first and not the fuse first? I just converted about 1/2 dozen old Fender BFs to 3 prong. Hot to fuse tip, fuse to power switch, power switch to transformer. Neutral to power transformer. Green to "soldered" chassis ground. I don't do the lug bolt thing for the ground. If requested, I add in a 3 prong courtesy outlet to replace the old two prong courtesy outlet. Normally, when all is said and done, the ground switch is disconnected, the death cap is removed, the courtesy outlet is either disconnected or replaced with a 3 prong. Where am I going wrong?

[@BourneAccident]

@@Radiowaves5150 You've misread or you are assuming I have a condescending attitude. Nothing could be further from the truth. Trying to ascertain the "correct" and safest way to wire these great amps. There remains controversy about this procedure. Also, I am not a teacher. I can see where you became confused. Thanks for your response.

[@scootergreen3]

MerwinMusic Hi, I bought a 1964 Gibson discoverer GA-8T amp and what looks like the footswitch cord for the tremolo has been cut off. Most of the cord is there as it is long. It comes out of the transformer. The tremolo footswitch has been cut off from the cord. The cord has two wires. Are these connected to AC current?

[@davidonion4150]

Great channel. Just found it. Thank you. Sub'ed, hit like and the smashed the bell.

[@jspinks2388]

pretty sure it also has internal side connection with return in some weird way and obviously can't tear the plug apart lol...if you burn that and probably did... it's still gonna be dead etc lol. change in just in doubt....glass fuses all damn near turn into a slo blo anyways....it is the wierder ones/older ones and coated ceramic composition held up pretty good and for sure will blo...

[@StagnantMizu]

I understood that in some cases the electrical design was made to not have a ground so having ground could cause isseus

[@scootergreen3]

MerwinMusic, is this costly to have done at a music store?

[@creepymccreepers]

Yea I got a a old fender amp for free and it’s one of the sought after ones

[@danielstein5290]

Wanna sell it? Shoot me a text. 8oh4 93nine three46four

[@creepymccreepers]

@@danielstein5290 naw but hey I can show you where a bunch of old amps are

[@creepymccreepers]

@@danielstein5290 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnaZi2RnbryNgMU they got a bunch of stuff here and I think they ship

[@masterblaster123abc]

Hello, I have a 2 prong extension cord with 3 prong sockets. If I use a "2 to 3 prong adapter", and plug it to my grounded wall socket will it be effective?

[@MerwinMusic]

No. Adapter just bypasses the ground. This actually grounds the chassis.

[@BMH-cb9jt]

Would this be advised when converting a tube radio to a Guitar amp?

[@MerwinMusic]

I would advise doing this anytime on anything with an old crusty power cord.

[@brendencrowells6265]

The last wire from the 110 to 220 switch. You didn't say where you removed it from. I one shot it wasn't discussed and when it came time to hook up the white wire on the new plug the the voltage selector you said it had been "previously cut". Must have missed that part. Will watch again.

[@CalitranoN]

is that the bypass for Polarity switch?

[@stretchwith]

I have a Carver preamp with a chewed off cord. Would you splice the cord or replace the cord? thank you

[@MerwinMusic]

I would replace it just to eliminate one more place that something could go wrong.

[@ricardoa5626]

another SHAZAM its done....you forgot to mention how to remove the ring plastic protector, I can not even remove it...

[@SushikiIIer]

don't you need too remove the death cap from the ground switch? or did you just bypass the grounding switch entirely? *Edit* nvm you answer my question at like 1:50, id still say have people cut the death cap out no reason for it too be there. Great video tho man thanks!

[@AJCzarkowski]

This is probably a stupid question but I have an old solid state amp (1973 Gibson G-30 I think) with the 2-prong plug. I'm assuming it's still dangerous?

[@innocentoctave]

I don't think you need to worry. According to schematics I've seen online, the G-30 has a proper power supply with a fuse and a transformer. It's also solid state, so nothing past the transformer requires the high voltages needed by tubes (transistors work off tiny voltages by comparison). The 'widowmaker' amps were almost entirely low-budget products of the 1960s that used a serial filament layout and took power for the tubes directly from the AC: no transformer, so no isolation. They disappeared when consumer protection legislation was tightened from 1972 onwards in the USA. Since your amp dates from 1973, and for the other reasons I've mentioned, it should be safe (from this particular problem). If you're in doubt, and you want a three-wire power lead for peace of mind, consult a qualified repair person.

[@in.der.welt.sein.]

The capacitors can still shock you. It's best to drain them first.

[@innocentoctave]

@@in.der.welt.sein. I think he's asking whether the amp is inherently dangerous in the 'death cap' sense discussed in the video. As far as I can see, it isn't. You only need to discharge the capacitors if you are going to work on the amp. Large capacitors continue to carry a high level of charge after the amp is switched off: but that is irrelevant in normal use, because you don't go inside the case.

[@RasCuban33]

1970’s Marlboro G10 and TrueTone 1960’s MIJ solid states here, same process I’m assuming?

[@Zantrop64]

Is there any way to hear the difference hul-wise ?

[@MerwinMusic]

Do you mean hum-wise? I can't really say cause the amp isn't fully working yet.

[@Zantrop64]

@@MerwinMusic can't wait to hear it !

[@jspinks2388]

well some of the plugs particularly fuse-able ones got that little spade off the back tied in and shit/internally...and i probably burnt one that shit in there to return or something...i wouldn't doubt it...idk can't find it lol...just put regular plug on it...

[@plumbingstuffinoregon2471]

I have to disagree saying old cords are unsafe. I've been using original power cords on antique appliances for years and never had issues with them. Even some really old ones with cloth wiring. I think as long as you know exactly how the wiring works and you're safe about using it you're in good shape. Personally I'd never leave old appliances plugged in unattended weather it's got a new cord or not, so if something should go wrong I'll be right there to fix it. I'd never throw out an old cord either. They have a lot of character to them and even those plugs alone can bring in a lot of money on ebay.

[@MerwinMusic]

I'm talking mostly about old rubber cables that crumble and crack when you bend them, exposing the copper inside.

[@williambent9636]

Yes, I remember Leslie Harvey. my understanding is the stage was miss wired, nothing wrong with his amp. Don't know if he had had a grounded plug if it would have saved him. I owned a store in the early '80s, we knew which clubs had unsafe outlets through experience (we blew up a mixing board running sound for greg allmanand I fried my 100 watt highwatt). The chances these days of running into a stone the crows moment are pretty slim, but I played an outdoor gig last summer where the dummies had clipped the ground on some of the extension cords and I shocked the hell out of my mouth. Still safer to upgrade old amps, but it wouldn't have saved my burning lips.

[@jspinks2388]

I think there wass man idk...some bullshit in the plug and burnt it lol.

[@jspinks2388]

omg can't deal with it lol...and freaked out shit in the plug and like burnnn the plug man etc lol. gonna have badasss Fast blo on that thing and return lol.imgur.com/PzRQKaf