The Sort of Repair I Usually Reject - Solid State Acoustic Amp, Full of ICs, No Schematic

It's never fun opening up an amp full of Integrated Circuits (ICs) without a schematic. But here goes... let's fix this Dean Markley KVC-60 Acoustic Guitar Amp...or at least attempt to.
Note: hidden within today's video is a numerological message to my Masonic brethren. When the time is right, you'll know what to do.
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[@Medicated1]

Holy shit, you sang that like you wrote it!!!! You never fail to impress the hell out of me Brad!

[@andyfairman7812]

Totally agree! Awesome job Brad!

[@seanlavery2236]

I love the fact ive been watching you so long i can watch a video from 6 years ago like its brand new. Such a wealth of info throughout the Guitologist library. Thanks Brad! You still continue to inspire and inform me each and everyday! Started watching you in 2015! Thank you my man!

[@lroy730]

Nice agressive Doors cover !!!!!\m/!!!!!

[@johnfishleigh9627]

Oh no! Another bad solder joint. I ran into my first today. A garage sale garage door opener for $30 . Intermitently shut off so i hit it w ith a paddle when it fails and has worked for the last 9 months. Now that weather is better took a look at it. Nothing visible but pushing on circuit board made it work. I suspected the connector and cleaned and bent pins to no avail. Gave up and reflowed all larger solder joints ( for relays and connectors ). There was no sign of a cold solder joint but now works perfect. I never would have done that except for all your bad solder videos. Thanks for the good show

[@witeshade]

If the lights are super bright, one thing you can try is to turn them around and have them reflect off the walls or ceilings. You can put some white paper or foam core up to help the reflection. You get softer and more diffuse light, which might be more comfortable and better for shadows. Kinda works like a big softbox but more convenient.

[@jamsguitar]

Watched several of your vids and you're very knowledgeable, but seeing you perform shows where your heart is at and where your inspiration really comes from, very cool. Cant say this about too many youtubers but I rang your bell. =)

[@michaelmitchell5909]

Dude, a million thumbs up for the song at the end!!!.... U did Jim proud my brother!..... Loved it man!

[@TheGuitologist]

I was a dead Indian in a past life.

[@umajunkcollector]

and Robby!

[@michaelmitchell5909]

The Guitologist ....awesome response man!.... Funny shit!

[@mstecker]

There's something about the chords at the turn that slay on this song - and you nail it.

[@w13rdguy]

Sounds good. You can usually figure out those iCs if you're lucky enough to find the number still legible on them. You can then look up what voltage belongs on what pin. Also you can check how hot they are on the surface to get one more clue. (Knowing Brad knows this, for the viewers.)

[@marknash7113]

Nice job chasing those circuit board gremlins down. Love hearing the acoustic playing and great tribute to Jim. Dig the new mic setup! Sounds good. Headphones on boys!

[@johnwardle9667]

Great video Brad!!!! The content balance of technical amplifier work and then a performance to match the style of amp that's been across the healing bench. Superb!! Big love from John in London, England.

[@AMStationEngineer]

For what it's worth, Brad, I enjoyed the hell out of this video. "Love me two times", was spot-on, and a great bonus! I'd have probably completed the repairs in much the same manner that you did, boxed it up, dragged it to the UPS shipper, then turned around after deciding that (under an anal-retentive impulse) I needed to build and install a custom wiring harness, and add a new set of Eminence speakers, and Radian horns, and while I was at it, juice the outputs a wee bit (I didn't know that they manufactured semiconductors in Morocco). Then I'd have lost my tail on that repair! For two years, '78, and '79, (and maybe a little of the way into '80), Weller -- Xcelite made a set of nut drivers (5/16 thru 11/16) for potentiometer removal and installation. They were equipped with really high-end Silastic seats for the shafts, and a 1-ounce tube of silicone conditioner for the seats. They were $35.00 per set (pricey), but surely would have come in handily with this project.

[@KevinBingham]

Love the titles at the end for "Love Me Two Time" and "Washburn Dumpster Guitar".... and a great cover of the song! Keep up the goodly work!

[@mooseteets]

still loving the vids, you've really upped your game with the new equipment, i like it :D

[@sandyeloff9678]

Hay Brad, I love watching you videos . they take me back to 1969 , when I was repairing and building guitar amps. growing up, my room was nothing but guitars and electronics. funny you do things almost the same way I did. you do need a set of nut drivers, lol. now I mostly build and repair guitars and condenser mics. still love tubes. good work, thanks steve

[@MrGTO-ze7vb]

Very good Brad..!! That electronic microscope has opened a new avenue in problem solving.! Love The Doors... didn't know you were the second coming of Jim Morrison..!!

[@TheGuitologist]

Actually, I was Jim Morrison. Don't tell anybody. I don't want to be hounded by groupies.

[@garymanis6305]

Hey man, thanks for the video. It helped me identify a pair of circuit boards I received in the box with my Fender Cyber Twin chassis. The previous owner thought they were from a Marshall. They are identical to the boards in that Dean Markley. Mystery solved.

[@dlunsford1980]

I have been doing work for a consignment music store here in town and this type of gear is 90% of what I repair. Not near as fun as the old tube amps but it does force you to get creative with troubleshooting since schematics are almost always unatainium.

[@paulwyer3397]

dlunsford1980

[@douglasader2458]

That looks like a 22 bird shot round! I was an auto electriction 17 years have seen live rounds in fuse boxes before. Fun when you have a repeat bad short. Love your videos. Keep it up! From Doug

[@eldredjoyner2556]

I have a Dean Markley combo. I like it a lot for a solid state amp. This amp when working must sound good. If I saw this amp, it would be an easy sell. Man, I love this channel! Thank You Brad!!!

[@barrychristiansen4579]

all right Brad you got me laughing off my rocker. lol. rather well done for an ol tune i was delivering papers to door steps when that one hit the charts.lol

[@kristopher6031]

Brad live at The Bench. We need a DVD!

[@SentientSeven]

Glad I stuck around to the end, that was fantastic :)

[@daviddunkin7454]

Dude, never mind your repair ability, great cover of the doors!

[@BrewerShettles]

Took my Peavy Backstage Plus 35 W Amp apart - cleaned the circuit board (QTips soaked in liquid soap + water) - looked at all solder joints - applied a few drops of liquid flux / resoldered four (4) joints holding the Guitar Input switch to the circuit board + bent in the metal tip part of the switch to make sure contact happens when guitar cable is inserted. Resoldered one of three wires from the transformer to the board. Fixed!!!!!! Including Spring Reverb!!! Thanks for making this video!! Good aggressive Doors Jam. Still might need a new switch but at least it works!!

[@TheElrondo]

Even it's an old vid, i luv it. Still have that same Amp sitting somewhere. I also own a Dean Markley K75 guitars Amp, wich was one of the best designed Sud State amps back in it's time. Dean Markley made some real well made stuff, way ahead of the Fender solid state amps back in the early 80s, i still have it as a kind of backup and it takes pedals well.

[@Abombsucksalot]

Love your content man especially the repair vids

[@Ron_Padgett]

Nice man! Great performance at the end!

[@jessemontano762]

Hell yeah. Excellent cover doors one of my favorite bands

[@williambock1821]

I had fun sitting in the pot and playing triplets along with your love me two times rendition! Densmore triplets are always a blast.

[@lousekoya1803]

Awesome !!!...................Love your channel !!.....Great singer by the way !!

[@deepwater2652]

Great trouble-shooting vid and BONUS performance from the Guitologist!

[@scottm121]

AWESOME man.. love the outro too. Haha cheers from victoria

[@thePsychoDuddy]

haha, the doors thing rocked.

[@paulkerr2298]

and that is why the lizard king never really died.. loved it mate,, made my day.... encore, encore. keep well dude

[@steveparkes1]

Love it!! great song and performance.

[@johnthrelfall5]

Great video , and very popular! Good educational video for technicians and guitarists.

[@yigithicylmaz774]

chorusing white noise is so beautiful.. should definitely use on my new post metal album...

[@thespiritof76..]

I hadn’t thought of that in years, but every house I lived in until I got married had a fuse box. Some were glass screw ins, the larger amp fuses were like 12, gauge shotgun shells that were brasses on both ends... the 220 outlet seem to use a pair of those

[@kerrybayton8356]

your full of surprises.. I enjoyed that very much..

[@EdDanaGuitar]

Ha! That was super interesting! I dig the microscope! Love Me TWO TIME LONG TIME! I'd advise them to replace those crazy speakers!

[@barnabywilde374]

just today i opened a customer's (bad audio) Bogen GS-100D amplifier ... it's not only all ICs, but they're of the SURFACE-MOUNT variety! Glad i'll be retiring next year.

[@JustChiminin]

Damn, now I feel like listening to the recording . . nice job!

[@01left]

Man what a Great Voice !! Love it

[@DavidBrown-it9ig]

Ahh Dean Markley amps! I remember testing them out at my local music store when they first came out. I remember the 60 and 120 watt tube heads sounds pretty good. They pushed them pretty hard for a while then they just faded away.

[@TheGuitologist]

I don't remember the tube heads.

[@DavidBrown-it9ig]

I think Sammy Hagar used them for a bit.

[@jeff7807]

Great video Brad

[@kevinshea4776]

Jim Morrison is alive! Nice troubleshooting video without documentation.

[@TheGuitologist]

Hahaha like that huh? Maybe one day ill show the video of me in my high school days impersonating Jim at a poetry slam! 😂

[@hogie1259]

5 thumbs up for the performance Brad!

[@tonepilot]

Love the passion.

[@imdais]

Loved the performance!

[@STAY-GOLD-VINYL]

Very cool Doors rendition!!

[@mal2ksc]

I don't think he stopped to check if the last phrase was in his (non-falsetto) range or not before he started, though. I don't think his throat appreciated that very much.

[@youbecha64]

I enjoyed the Doors at the end!

[@SkyscraperGuitars]

Well, sounds like you nailed it. Hopefully that does the trick. I enjoyed the microscope portion of the show.

[@bessiebraveheart]

Hi from England, go on son, make em have it.

[@GtrMan863]

nice work on the repair and the song

[@jcspaziano]

Smashing that Doors tune man!!

[@Nazzz65]

I said it before and I'll say it again you've got a really good voice man. You should do some more tunes on your channel. Nice Doors cover!

[@telecasteroil]

Great closeups and pretty decent audio . Cheers from NY

[@johnstitt2615]

A repair and a tune. Nice.

[@mischef18]

Yup it works. Nice bit of wrench'n there bro even though it is electronic, song did not put me to sleep anyway, the doors rattled a bit, lol. ATB

[@eetechtom]

Love that “fuse”, and I thought gum wrappers were bad. Sheesh

[@justinbouchard]

Sometimes when you are doing some shredding on electric after a repair, I'm thinking....Bradley Govan... Lately with the acoustic and singing your just deadly. Tons of Canadian bush love to you brother.

[@TheGuitologist]

haha..."Bradley Govan" made me laugh. that dude is on another planet.

[@justinbouchard]

Lol, I know but sometimes your legato shred is pretty effing amazing man!

[@TheGuitologist]

I think I could use me some of that "Canadian bush love".

[@justinbouchard]

Oh buddy. You better take your wife camping one summer up here. Bring her back to a commonwealth country and the bush love will be unstoppable

[@michaelreis8266]

Love the Doors and the flashbacks they bring, great song choice Brad! I don't know who Bradley Govan is and you totally lost me at Canadian Bush Love!! But I ain't picky i'll take em bushy or bushless LOL

[@richardturk7162]

Well done Brad .

[@pamparitas]

souds nice :) a year ago i recap a litle K15 sounds nice for a small transistor amp

[@NitroModelsAndComics]

Killin it as usual brother.

[@nellayema2455]

Looking for an open guitar case where I can toss in a dollar or two. Good performance at the end!

[@jimhough6233]

YOU ROCK, BRAD!

[@phil36135]

Very nice!

[@weaesq]

The chips are likely to be operational amplifiers (op amps) in analog filter circuits.

[@k7jbl157]

Great job...Jim. ;-)

[@francisskundaliny1295]

great performance brad-rockn rolly!

[@TheGuitologist]

Thanks, Francis.

[@jdbertel33]

Goddamn Brad. Hell of a cover there!

[@MHM1975]

Excellent!

[@chrisjeneson5091]

Well worth watching if only for the version of Love me two times! Thanks Brad.

[@stavrost6559]

Hehe thumbs up for the song man! Thanks for your video

[@icenesiswayons9962]

You do yourself proud, 2 thumbs up!

[@rmakela27]

Good day. Thanks for the great videos. Constructive feedback, maybe keep the blinding work bench light off when the camera is on you and your workspace. I still see spots 😊

[@eaze78]

Awesome rendition of the Doors.

[@mrc6032]

That doors cover was awesome!😀

[@audiotechlabs4650]

Take a breath! What a great song to end the night with! Great cover! Your bench test was a success. The up-close camera beats just a lighted magnified light. Good repair? Thanxz

[@jfjoubertquebec]

2:23 "for your coffee-house gigs or whatever"... exhales conspicuously....

[@TheGuitologist]

*snaps*

[@Mojoman57]

Your stuff just keeps getting better and better. You should totally have a Patreon account. You don't even have to promote it, just have it there. You content is easily worth a dollar an episode.

[@stevecooper3487]

Awesome dude!

[@daveogarf]

NICE rendition of "Love Me Two Times".

[@JohnIainMcFarlanewaspfactor]

Brilliant!thanks for that bro.

[@larrydering1598]

Nice work on this. Love that microscope. Cool Doors cover.

[@alecjahn]

Loving the microscope setup. I don't envy you for diving into this one. Whew!

[@alecjahn]

Also didn't expect that rear speaker on there. Reminds me of the passive radiators on the backs of some old Klipsch stuff.

[@toddjones5382]

You are a hoot brother.. Great job!

[@TheGuitologist]

Thanks, Todd

[@DG-ic9ub]

Nice Doors jam, sounded great

[@jimbeaux4988]

Loving the microscope.!

[@stargatewv]

oh yeah man...that's a first time ever (I can remember anyway) I've heard that one covered. cool man! Justify..able video!

[@grahamthorpe4256]

wow rock on mr Lindzy id do some SVV stuff im teaching myself pride and joy

[@andrewjmcgee]

super interesting. super JM, too!

[@movinginstereo40]

Ahhhhhhhhh, The Lizard King Lives in Brad’s basement. That was bitichin. Thanks for posting the vid. Curtis

[@JasondeCordoba]

dude nice tune there!

[@1980bwc]

Love hearing me some Morrison. The dumpster special turned out pretty groovy.

[@TheGuitologist]

Headstock's still hanging in there!

[@farmallpaul4518]

You rock! Come back and tell us how the extra speakers were wired?

[@scottriddle5468]

Ha ha good tune man . Watch out for the snapping snatch.

[@emersonsrandomvideos248]

Keep rockin!

[@pcbullets8726]

Liken' the microscope for the repair. You can really see what you got goin' on there. Great job on the Doors tune!