Oahu 230K Repair

[@brucefulper2433]

That's my amp and my fav repair person. She also fixed my 1978 Master Marshall 50 and now it's like 1978 all over again. I have a 1968 original straight cab with green backs and everyone including Colleen LOVES it. Of course my '65 SG rounds out the recipe. Colleen is getting all of my amps for inspection and service now. Up next is my 1964 Vox Pacemaker. Maybe she'll show you guys that one too! Thanks Colleen, "The High Voltage Queen!". .

[@RagdollOC]

What style of music do you use this amp on?

[@OhBooD]

69 Dude!

[@klaasj7808]

if she was fat and ugly would you have also send it over there?

[@BrannonHancock]

@brucefulper2433 - I have a valco-made Harmony model 200 that (along with the silvertone 1300) appears to be very similar to this amp. I’ve just restored it (total recap, speaker reconed etc) but without a point of reference, I’m not sure how loud I should expect it to be. The field coil reads around 600ohms per the schematic, but I’m somewhat suspicious that there may be an issue with the output transformer on mine. At full blast, it’s barely as loud as my non-reverb Princeton on about 3. So… is this an unusually quiet amp, in your experience? Mine has a nice overdrive on the mic input… but still, just very quiet. Thoughts?

[@bulkvanderhuge9006]

What I enjoy most about your videos is they don't have any music in them (except for when you're testing the amp_

[@allenpost3616]

Legendary sound! That big speaker still sounds amazing after all these years if that's the original driver. Loved it.

[@eguitarplayer6689]

A good solid state "slide steal" guitar amp is the Peavey Austin 400. I never had seen these Oahu type- thanks. 🎸🔈

[@aragorn767]

I have never owned a piece of analog gear (Helix 4 life, son), but watching people who are experts at something work passionately at that something is always satisfying af, which is why I subscribed.

[@topfacemod]

Absoutely nothing wrong with this of course, but I can't get myself to stop the mind numbing repetitious thought of "it's modeling analog circuits in the digital domain". I want to either buy the og a clone or build it myself. I realize that's not an option for most. I just wish I had never started buying vintage gear. I might actually shut up and play more. Ugggh

[@NoOne-sn2si]

Ears are analog... Digital sux... Lol!

[@weschilton]

Helix will be in a landfill while this Oahu is still going strong.

[@zhou_sei]

​@@NoOne-sn2si the speakers still just move the air, whether the source is digital or not.

[@aragorn767]

@@weschilton With its single clean tone. Real amps are unitaskers. That's fine. But, having a digital amp, either in hardware or as native software, that can be customized, and updated endlessly is the way of the present and future.

[@rumproast2000]

Nicely done! One way to pinpoint a noisy resistor is to spray some freezing spray on it while the amp is on. (You can also use some canned air by turning the can upside-down.) You'll definitely hear a change in the noise when the noisy resistor is chilled. Alternatively, you can also touch a hot soldering iron to the resistor while the amp is on. The additional heat will typically cause a change in the noise level.

[@anonymousmc7727]

That’s pro level

[@Finom1]

God Bless and Protect everyone here:)

[@kellykane6323]

I have been repairing amps and guitars and audio and video equipment for 50 years and you are one of the best techs I have ever seen and I would love for you to work at my shop and I am very picky

[@timrussellguitar1516]

I’m gonna ordee the el Camino shirt.

[@gahangore111]

Thank you for this, looking forward to seeing the entire process. How to diagnose the issues in these amps is always interesting.

[@ginogenero7972]

Can't get enough of these vids and a Fazio Electric shirt is my go-to for stage.

[@Alexander-eh1ko]

First of all: I really love the design of your signature amps - would love to own one. I built my first amp a few weeks back (a 5F1 tweed champ thinking it would break up at apartment suitable volumes, but turns out 5W is still enough to wake the deaf) and watching your videos really helped me along. Surely, my solders aren't nowhere near as neat and fluid as yours, but your videos have taught me more than a lot of the tutorials that I have read. There is something special about watching a professional at work :P

[@Eddy63]

Just ordered one of those red hats ... Welcome back and don't stay gone so long ...😂

[@rockystarland6051]

Your description of circuit operation gives me ideas to troubleshoot my ‘60’s Magnatone M15. I will look at those plate resistors. You and Uncle Doug are the best!

[@southboundsuarez9832]

Unkie is indeed the greatest ! Isn't he?

[@Blowncapacitor84]

Good to see you back! I've been jonesing for some vintage amp repair!!

[@pwman]

Shirt(s) ordered!! You ought to consider a few stickers for merch to throw on cases and amps. ☺️😬. Keep making awesome vids!!

[@christopherweise438]

You usually bring us the rarest of the rare. That's awesome......and thank you for that Colleen.

[@bemtikru]

Came here from the "unintentional asmr" channel. I am amazed by not only your calming voice but also the amount of skill and knowledge you posses. This channel is definitely my personal best finds in a while.

[@1drumm]

I have 4 of these Valco: Oahu Tone Master Amps, 2 gold, and 2 blue. Octal tubes, and a field coil speaker! They have a lot of integrity! An amazing amp that won't break the bank! 🎸

[@over9k874]

I love you. I love all woman that break the stereotype and choose to do things usually done by men. It's good as well for us, men, to be less limited by stereotypes in future. Thank you!

[@Tusitala1967]

This woman looks like she just stepped off stage with The Runaways, circa 1977. She makes amp repair fascinating and fun!

[@Etienne-mi5wg]

I have this amp, brown version 1946, with the 6sn7. leather handle. I changed the cord, other than that, it's all original

[@bulkvanderhuge9006]

I love watching amp repair, it reminds me of when I was younger poking around in the back of amps, with all the really old looking resistors and all of that spaghetti for wiring My first "Amp" was an old reel to reel tape recorder that I somehow rigged to overdrive into a speaker, just the bare chassis sitting on my desk, all of that high voltage right out there in the open. Dangerous AF. But it served me well for quite a few years, although I couldn't bring it to any gigs.

[@jlore6344]

Yay Colleen is back!!! What a cool amp!

[@ArlenMoulton2]

Aha! I collect vintage radios, and I have a 1950s Bush DAC90A radio in a relatively rare white bakelite case, and for the whole time I've had it, it's crackled even with the volume all the way down, I've tried substituting valves but with no change, looks like I need to check my plate resistors, something I should have thought of but didn't until you mentioned it!

[@SMGMusic14]

The microphone channel sounds really cool.

[@AlbusBand]

If/when you come back home, hopefully you’ll see us live (might even be a donut gig depending on when you’re back). Hope alls well, love the amp and great work. -Aaron

[@davejones6130]

Love the “Freestyling” on this one , Colleen ! Seeing you go in cold is like Christmas morning - more of a thrill. One suggestion on anything you are about to power on for the first try is to use a variac and monitor the filament voltage and main PS cap voltages as you slowly bring it up from zero AC in.

[@scottjamable]

I love the El Camino shirt !! I owned and restored a '68 black El Camino when I was a young man. I really enjoy watching your videos and also working on my old tube amps including my Marshall JMP. This shirt is meant for me and I just ordered one !!! Love it keep up the good work, you are a true inspiration.

[@michaelrayministries]

WELCOME BACK HAILEE STEINFELD... THANKS FOR THE UPLOAD...

[@nichesound]

Gramps live on Oahu...nice they named that amp after that Fabulous Island!

[@philipdonovan6510]

Well that was fun, those darn old noisy CC plate resistors. It was good to hear the type of crackle that they give off, better to recognize that symptom in the future. Thanks Colleen, nice vid.

[@lostreb]

Great seeing a new video from you. My name's on the list for another T-Shirt. In fact, you can be reasonably sure every time you have a new pre-order, I'll be in on it as well. Thanks for the informative video, Colleen. Please keep them coming.

[@billgueltig6136]

This amp is 80 to 85 years old but it’s still rockin’.

[@clappingjazzhands9408]

Glad to have discovered your channel! Watching you bring vintage valve amps back to life is enjoyable. I just order a t shirt.

[@clappingjazzhands9408]

My shirt has arrived! Thank you.

[@orionwarren4244]

I'm glad you're uploading again, Colleen. I've missed the sound of your soothing voice!

[@mcgama88]

What a rare and unusual amp. I really appreciate the pointers on the diagrams. Why? Well, because I get stuck into repair on some tube stuff, like my valve junior. And things get wild as some past mods were a part of the repair. I quite thank you, by the way for the source to high quality components. Thanks for having me along at an interesting repair to a classic. M.

[@JackT_Music_on_Vinyl]

Should have said this before....I love that clock!

[@fiddlix]

Dang, you got off light on this one. I love the styling from this period of American amp manufacturing. Excellent find by your friend. Kudos.

[@ferdberfle5069]

Good to see you back with a new vid! Last time I saw you was on Tone Talk, you were great there too!

[@timrussellguitar1516]

I hope you are able to stay here in Ca. If not it’s totally understandable. I’ll be moving my guitar repair business in 9 months too, so best of luck to you Colleen. I love watching you repair amps. It’s so amazing knowing you are one of the best in the game.

[@ryangunwitch-black]

If you had to move, North Florida (DuuuuVALLLL) would be happy to have you!

[@123garin]

I’m very new to amp repair and YOURS!! Is my fav channel!!! I will call you FAZ!!

[@PoppysGuitar]

Nice to see her back. Whoopee.

[@placeholder7044]

Just amazing, we want more!!!

[@kaecake9575]

The good side of KZbin ✨✌️

[@richmonksgtr]

I have tremendous respect for your knowledge and skills, but it also must be said that you possess thermonuclear levels of cuteness.

[@bernhardnizynski4403]

Loved your 'Hawaiin' guitar playing!

[@preiter20]

Fazio Electric shirt ordered! Love your channel!

[@georgemiller2866]

I love the "El Pato" sauce can in the back. My favorite hot sauce! Great channel! I'm an electronics tech and musician that's now starting to delve into amp repair now in my retirement days. I find your content very straight forward and informative. Can anyone on this subscription tell me where some resources are to find schematics for these amps?

[@that_thing_I_do]

Sold out merch drop! You have fans young lady!

[@saccomarcelo]

Great to see you back!

[@TonyThomas10000]

I live in CLE and never heard of Oahu or seen one of their amps. It turns out that they were a music instruction company that taught steel guitar and signed up people door to door. There is an interesting article on Wikipedia.

[@carolyncarpenter9682]

Nice to see someone young at vacuum tube repair. There seems to be a shortage of many tubes. I came across about 400 or so, many popular; need to get them on ebay. Ed c 😁

[@Billy_Wildcat]

I’ve been in electronics repair for forty years. You are the prettiest tech I’ve ever seen.

[@alexdeleon7135]

Well done! That amp sounds good! It is much more responsive than I expected. Great modality of deducing the noise. I'm digging the Camino tee. I'm picking one up, since I own your black Fazio already.

[@zombiemontage]

That amp sounds surprisingly good

[@masonshucart7055]

This video was in my recommended feed for some reason. This is super cool!

[@daceyatesfdfband3209]

You know your awesome, right? Keep on being you.

[@forresthouser5807]

I've got a 1945 Harmony, which from the front is very similar (same color scheme), but as soon as you flip it around and look at the back, They are the same amp in slightly different packages. Even the field coil speakers were made in the same plant....

[@dummgelauft]

Good to see a new video.

[@steveurquhart5895]

Good to see you back, another wonderful service on a classic amp, Thanks😊

[@barriem5318]

So glad to see a new video. Love your content!!

[@theoloutlaw]

Ahhh, the ol' pack up and move syndrome :( That's the pits of hell. Send you the best of luck, and you find a good place to set up 'shop'.

[@aceraspire7456]

Enjoy the videos. But I just discovered that I enjoy them a bit more adjusting the playback speed to 1.25% over normal speed. 🙂 Cool amp.

[@mamutcat]

Great to hear you on TAVA. Thank you for your generous insights into amp repair and building.

[@garthkolbeck8674]

I've always wanted one of these amps ever since I read about it in the original Aspen Pitman Tube Amp Book. I've actually seen a few of these in music stores back in the 80's. You could buy them for almost nothing... They were considered as "conversation pieces"😂

[@defaultuser1447]

Happy to see another video. I enjoy the electronic troubleshooting and the low-key narration.

[@brettkaufman2299]

Glad you are back!

[@scowell]

First thing I check is the fuse, for proper rating... you'd be surprised how often a 10 or 20A fuse gets stuck in there. Good job on rewiring the power circuit, any 3-wire conversion should include this, as well as removal of the 'death cap'... didn't see one of those here.

[@timmooney7528]

It was re-capped before this. Whoever swapped the caps probably pulled the death cap. The two prong cable looked fairly new too, but surprised it wasn't swapped with a 3 prong.

[@StephenMcLeod]

This thing looks soooo cool.

[@joerobbins5173]

Missed your videos good to see you again

[@TigerGreene]

You remind me so much of Ann Wilson of Heart in 1977!

[@aniquinstark4347]

God I love vintage stuff. That amp has a really cool look.

[@timothy5974]

Great work. I love the work bench, I bet it would make a great studio desk. I think the clock sign is perfect. 🤘👍

[@h2o1969]

I am late to electronics, so my knowledge is limited. I was blown away by the point to point speggety mess of the architecture. Is that normal for the time?

[@boxerfencer]

Great to see you back at it! I always learn something new, even if its just a new found appreciation for tube amps.

[@tbonky]

What a gem! Great tone!

[@JackT_Music_on_Vinyl]

Great to see you back. Another great vintage amp repair! Good luck on the relocation.

[@Bigjoedo66]

Glad to see a new video, Well Done Ms. Fazio!!

[@phillippitts6294]

Gold looks nice!

[@williambock1821]

Love these old Valcos. I’m kinda in love with Valcos at the moment after building a 6161 Gretsch/Valco with 6973’s. Sounds completely different from the other amp builds taking over my house! 😊

[@chrishoffman6537]

Those tubes getting harder to find! I got some for my National Newport 50

[@williambock1821]

@@chrishoffman6537 You can use 6CZ5’s if you can get the screen voltage down to 280v. The plate voltage max is 350 on them. They sound great. They’re a bit less powerful but sound very similar. Some say better than the new EH 6973’s. You have to jumper the screen grids too. Pins 1 and 8 need connected. You can still use 6973’s too but you may wanna re-adjust screen voltages.

[@D.Guitar]

Great video.. that sux about the forced relocation. Moving often sux under the best conditions.. it's worse when you don't actively make the choice to move for yourself. Best of Luck.

[@valeriotagliaferri2125]

I know very little about the mechanics of amps so this is a very interesting brand new channel to me. Thanks!

[@SDS-1]

Hey good to see ya 😊😊😊💗💗💗💗💗💗

[@juliochingaling5824]

Excellent video. God bless and have a great weekend. Peace n love.

[@goodun2974]

I have a Valco-built Airline amp that is nearly identical. It's a little screamer!

[@ginoames]

Awesome video. Very cool amp.

[@denverrandy7143]

Love the look of those shirts!!!Love the content.You Rock!!!🤘😎👍

[@purplereigninblood]

I grabbed a shirt, love the videos.

[@purplereigninblood]

I just saw the cab with the inlays from Tyler on your page, it's beautiful. I know you are busy but thanks for the merch drop! Hope everything works out. - j

[@fjb5894]

I had my house in Kapolei sit empty for two years and would have gladly rented it out for nothing!

[@jonnybeck6723]

So glad to see you posting... Very classy

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

I could hear that static noise at first when you put the mic near the speaker, I was expecting Orson Welles to come on to the airwaves !

[@gab_ale]

Nice little amp.

[@evanlundgren3039]

New video fork yeah! Fazio FTW.

[@evanlundgren3039]

Shirt pre-order number 00824 sweet!

[@robertgraham2011]

Great video. My old 65 super reverb is making all of these noises and a new set of pre amp valves didn't fix the issue. I'll be checking out the values of the plate resistors to make sure they are ok. Brilliant - thanks

[@southboundsuarez9832]

Hey Rob, just wanted to point out that many times those plate resistors will measure fine with a multi tester when reading the resistance. If you want to carefully test it dynamically while it is powered up, you might get a more accurate idea of the true nature of how that resistor is performing by measuring the voltage drop across the resistor and then measuring the current flowing thru the resistor. Using Ohms law would give a more real world reading as to how far off the resistor is drifting. I think that in many instances, such experiment would prove that the resistor is not that consistent and will drift around a lot depending on the temperature and the current demand at any given moment.... However, all this will still not be indicative of the fizzy sounding spark noises that come and go! To go thru all the hassle of measuring current and disconnecting one leg of said resistor it's easier just to replace. Resistor value or drifting isn't going to be indicative of noise from the component. To test for that, you have to listen or view the signal before and after the component. This is where a scope proves useful. Some snap crackle and pops are a pain to diagnose because they can come from anywhere. The trick is to methodically narrow the source down. You must divide and conquer over each stage of the circuits to narrow down where the source of noise is coming from. Experience and some common knowledge tells us of all the usual suspects to try to investigate first! In many cases involving noise, measuring a components value and tolerance will not produce any substantial results. Especially in valve circuits that are subject to higher voltages and currents. To test for noises in aging amps, it must tested dynamically.

[@robertgraham2011]

@@southboundsuarez9832 Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my comment. Proof the internet works some of the time. I suspect that there will be more to my amps issues than this and for the price of the resistors I agree its probably better to simply replace them and move on if it does not cure the issue. Its bad enough that I can't record with it so it needs a lot of love. A downside of replacing the pre amp tubes is that the tremolo circuit is much stronger and the famous tick is back with a vengeance. The suggested Fender bulletin fix from years back ain't working anymore. Gotta love em because they sure need looking after to keep working well. Thanks again - really appreciate it.

[@southboundsuarez9832]

@@robertgraham2011 Keep up with it, these things are not too difficult or require much expense to resolve. In my experience and my understanding, the common things to look out for are many times mechanical,,,, in other words look for things that can vibrate and make noise. Tube sockets are very often overlooked and often a source for noise. Make sure they are clean and free from corrosion or anything that might impede good solid and consistient conductivity. Make sure they have tight tension and solid contact against the pins. Combo amps are subject to so much self destruction thru the constant vibration of Sonic force with sound pressure of the speaker. It's amazing that they don't fail more often than they do. The internal structure of the tubes are vulnerable. Old tubes have lost a lot of the special cathode coatings and can have errant electrons or other gremlins such as molecular materials boiling off of the plates and making for those strange sizzles and zaps heard within the background hiss and white noises. Solder joints will expand and contract with heat. Old circuit boards with thin foil traces can be frustrating source of noise as electricity builds up and jumps a microscopic fissure on the conductive material. Component leads and internal attachments to say something like the foil inside of a cap. On old fender amps, particularly some of the post CBS silverface amps, the fiber eyelet boards will over the years of exposure to humid environments will retain moisture. This is particularly worse for the later silverface with their wax impregnation that had an opposite effect of trapping such moisture. Also over the years dust can accumulate in between the eyelet boards itself and the blank insulating fiber board beneath. This dust can rub and cause static discharges or it can conduct electricity and create static and crackling noise. Ect..... These are a few things to look out for as experiences you may encounter. For bad hum, we often recognize a gnd issue. Sources for bad ground are often the input jacks are corroded or are loose against the chassis. Often missing a star washer. Old blackface Amps had a length of brass sheeting under the pots as a ground bus. The dissimilar metal of brass and the steel chassis could become corroded thru galvanic electrolysis or loose pots also could not make solid mechanical contact. The trick is to identify the type of noise and look at the usual suspects. Search Google for help to identify and then search, isolate and conquer. You will get that amp studio quiet if you keep at it , you will get it. The most amazing thing is that despite the fact that these old combo amps have seen some most extreme service,,,, despite being built of crude technology and crude components with fairly crude basic application note circuit design, despite their age, With only some very basic care and light maintenance, these amps still perform and are at the top of their game! 60+ years and they are serviceable and ready for serious professional usefulness. I doubt the future will see many of any of today's circuit board and surface mount style of gear being produced today with a planned designed obsolescence.

[@bozosaurus666]

Just discovered this channel. Instant subscribe. Guitar/synth player that's majoring eletrical engineering in college and want to build guitar amps/pedals/ synths. Inspiration right here. You go girl!!!

[@misterguitargeek]

I just saw one of these for sale in rough shape but didn't get a shot to look inside - it's a bit of a rat's nest, but pretty simple overall.

[@mantashaft]

Hey I received my shirt! Thanks!!!

[@jcwm01]

Great vid. Best of luck with the move. Cheers!

[@Souldoubtrocks]

Love your channel. So great to see it growing.