The lighting and time involved with selecting views to illustrate the concerns you are addressing clearly reflect great care in producing a high quality video. That effort does not go unnoticed.
I have owned this amp for 30 years. I have never had a reason to open it up since it has never failed me. It's been used for recording and as a harp amp on the road for several years. No work has been done on it as long as I've owned it. I missed the "LA" on the date code chart indicating January '62 completion date. My eyes aren't as good as they used to be. The blue Ajax caps are a good thing!
The Geeky joy abounds here and thank God, it's contagious. This amp, even though not totally original is a good example of the historic evolution of Fender Deluxe circuitry and just plain cool. Another gem from history gets to live well into the future for guitarists and geeks alike.
The LA on the upper right corner of the tube chart is from January 1962. The chassis serial number puts it in the early part of’62. Great video as always.
Yeah, I missed the LA as it looked like a later stamp along with the ‘64 stamps. Serial numbers are occasionally relevant for dating, but not always. So I rarely rely on them. But I think you’re right.
"The physical heater, slash, filament...secondary center tap." Sure, easy for you to say. 😁 I don't know what that is, but I like hearing and seeing it anyway.
I almost got one of those brown Deluxes many years ago. Back then they were under $1000 but I think it was supposed to be a trade. Oh well. Great video. I’m looking forward to seeing it after you spruce it up.
It could be a shop amp, or proto of some kind. Those caps may have started shipping in amps by 1962, but they existed in the world before then. Perhaps it was an amp used for tweaking/testing in Fender's shop. Just a thought. Who knows!
I have a clone of the 6G3 that I built several years ago. The voltages shown on the schematic are significantly lower (365V on the power tube plates) than what I was able to achieve with a Deluxe Reverb power transformer (it seems like this amp has the same issue). This leads me to think the brown Deluxe PT was different than the Deluxe Reverb PT in more ways than just the 50V bias tap. The amp just didn’t sound right at those higher voltages and I wasn’t happy with the other rectifier tubes I tried. I ended up putting a voltage dropping resistor on the B+ before the first filter cap and am MUCH happier with the tone of the amp at voltages closer to the schematic.
The owner’s played this for 30+ years and likes how it sounds, even if it’s not “original”. Not saying you’re wrong, just that in this case we’re leaving in the ‘65 PT.
Another interesting video, thanks! FWIW, at 6:47, the tube chart is displayed. According to Fender amp date coding, the two-letter date code, LA (located upper right of the tube chart), would make it 1962 = L and January = A. Wouldn’t that provide the date the amp was produced, albeit with some older (then later updated with newer) components?
Solder joints that bubble when heated are indicative of some type of contaminant: capacitor or battery leakage, oil or grease, conductive glue, or even hot glue.
Geekie joy indeed! I didn’t know Fender ever put a copper shield in like that but it makes sense given the location of the Bright channel’s input jacks. Is that bias vary tremolo or did I miss a roach somewhere on the board? Lyle knows this for sure, but adjustable bias is kind of essential with bias vary tremolo. Bias it too hot and no tremolo. It can be a bit fiddly getting it dialed in.
Cannot wait to see and your results. The numbers stamp into the metal near the inked, can they tell anything about the build year. Stamp #'s look to be D 01400 into the metal. Can Fender give you any answers?
Can you specify what "fader lube" you use? Really appreciate your Tech Tips. Learning how to get the DC leakage off Fender style fiber boards is a game changer for me and my newbie soldering/amp building skills. Much thanks again!
Well the mystery date amp does make for an interesting piece. I wondered if it had been made from parts, but too much of the work looks original to Fender. Nice amp regardless, despite questionable doghouse decisions having been made.
Lyle.....since you don't think much of some of Fender's reissue Princeton amps, I hope someday you will have the opportunity to review the PRS DGT15 and the Victory V40 Deluxe.
I’ve had the DGT30 in and it was really very good. I’ve had two Victory lunchboxes in and they were quite good for the price point but would be artificially expensive to service due to the construction methods used.
I have never seen a Brown Deluxe with a single Astron film cap in it. I’ve looked through hundreds of images too. I just don’t think Fender ever used them in the 6G3 through its entire production range. I tried to clone how Fender built a 1960/61 Deluxe a few years ago. A lot of the other amps have mixed blues and yellows, so I wanted to do that. Nope, not a single one I could find had a mix. Mojotone has 500v 16uf F&T’s btw. If the owner even cares about original component values anyways.
Hi Lyle. I have this exact amp and it is in dire need of a tune up. It makes a bunch of noises when starting up and has a high noise floor. Is there a way to contact you and possibly schedule servicing?
Lovely amp, even if it is a mystery :) One thing: are those Ducati bypass caps? If yes, that would be an interesting choice. I've seen italian amps filled with almost 100% Ducati components but never a Fender one. Oh man, I wish I'd have that much Ducatis IRL that I replaced in those :)
Why does the ground wire have to be longer than the hot and neutral wires? Specifically, other than "for safety reasons?" I'm worried because my Mojotone kit did not specify that technicality.
If the power cord were to get pulled out from the chassis the hot and neutral wires would/should stop the ground wire from being pulled loose. Your ground connection would be protected. Functionally there is no difference.
Well, a bit more than that. If the cable was pulled and the hot connection broke loose after the ground, the chassis could be electrically live. With the ground longer, the hot touching chassis would short out, tripping a circuit breaker.
@@tjminasi1442 , One wonders how many, or more accurately how few devices have a 5 year factory warranty these days. (My Sebo vacuum cleaners which are 8 years old now had a 5 year warranty on the motor but a lifetime warranty on the belts. I've never needed to change anything on them other than filter bags and the prefilters).
![Build A Power Supply - With Junk Box Parts! [The BC-348 Series.]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/nX87kwSshZ8/mqdefault.jpg)
The lighting and time involved with selecting views to illustrate the concerns you are addressing clearly reflect great care in producing a high quality video. That effort does not go unnoticed.
They 100% do bring geeky joy to all of us. I dont think anyone would be here if we werent nerdy!
Sitting here with my morning coffee in a true state of Geeky Joy. Thanks for all you show us on this channel Lyle, always interesting.
I have owned this amp for 30 years. I have never had a reason to open it up since it has never failed me. It's been used for recording and as a harp amp on the road for several years. No work has been done on it as long as I've owned it. I missed the "LA" on the date code chart indicating January '62 completion date. My eyes aren't as good as they used to be. The blue Ajax caps are a good thing!
The Geeky joy abounds here and thank God, it's contagious. This amp, even though not totally original is a good example of the historic evolution of Fender Deluxe circuitry and just plain cool. Another gem from history gets to live well into the future for guitarists and geeks alike.
The LA on the upper right corner of the tube chart is from January 1962. The chassis serial number puts it in the early part of’62. Great video as always.
Yeah, I missed the LA as it looked like a later stamp along with the ‘64 stamps. Serial numbers are occasionally relevant for dating, but not always. So I rarely rely on them.
But I think you’re right.
I love all the brownface amps ... I was just starting when these were just starting. They are all fab.
I am constantly dismayed at how much better the amps you work on are than the ones I've owned😮😢😂😂
"The physical heater, slash, filament...secondary center tap." Sure, easy for you to say. 😁 I don't know what that is, but I like hearing and seeing it anyway.
Lots of joy in Geeksville 😎👍👍
every video of yours is VERY educational. I learn things every time I watch. Thanks!
Man I wish I had an amp tech like you near where I live. I love watching you work, and you're integrity to your craft.
What a beautiful mystery of an amp! Geeky joy, geeky joy!
Happy happy geeky joy...very interesting trail you followed there.
What an interesting amp! I've got a big soft spot for those old brown Fenders. If only they could tell us the stories....
Before even hearing it, I am in love with its looks 😊
Great to watch you work @ lunchtime . . . 😎👍
I almost got one of those brown Deluxes many years ago. Back then they were under $1000 but I think it was supposed to be a trade. Oh well. Great video. I’m looking forward to seeing it after you spruce it up.
Good stuff, thank for posting.
geeky joy received thanks Lyle
Awesome! Thank you 🙏
I have no idea what you’re talking about but it’s fascinates me
It could be a shop amp, or proto of some kind. Those caps may have started shipping in amps by 1962, but they existed in the world before then. Perhaps it was an amp used for tweaking/testing in Fender's shop. Just a thought. Who knows!
Thanks.
Beautiful! I would love to play it before it leaves.........
Fun excursion 😊
Nice amp and sound.
I have a clone of the 6G3 that I built several years ago. The voltages shown on the schematic are significantly lower (365V on the power tube plates) than what I was able to achieve with a Deluxe Reverb power transformer (it seems like this amp has the same issue). This leads me to think the brown Deluxe PT was different than the Deluxe Reverb PT in more ways than just the 50V bias tap. The amp just didn’t sound right at those higher voltages and I wasn’t happy with the other rectifier tubes I tried. I ended up putting a voltage dropping resistor on the B+ before the first filter cap and am MUCH happier with the tone of the amp at voltages closer to the schematic.
The owner’s played this for 30+ years and likes how it sounds, even if it’s not “original”.
Not saying you’re wrong, just that in this case we’re leaving in the ‘65 PT.
I would love that sound in a 5wtt amp. Absolutely
Mahalo Lyle. Should be a great amp.
Geeky joy to all!
Sure would be interesting to time travel along with this amp.
Thank you Sir
Love the brownies 😊
CAT SCRATCH FEVER AMP..... FANTASTIC OVERDRIVE TONE ( Brown Deluxe )
The Geeks of Geekville are abound with joyful glee...
Another interesting video, thanks! FWIW, at 6:47, the tube chart is displayed. According to Fender amp date coding, the two-letter date code, LA (located upper right of the tube chart), would make it 1962 = L and January = A. Wouldn’t that provide the date the amp was produced, albeit with some older (then later updated with newer) components?
Not sure. It’s so not in the usual spot I thought it could be a later stamp like the ones from ’64. But Jan ‘62 is in line with my other clues so far.
Very fun!
Solder joints that bubble when heated are indicative of some type of contaminant: capacitor or battery leakage, oil or grease, conductive glue, or even hot glue.
Just panicking at the ryobi 😂 all good. Have a ryobi handheld batt router and air comp. Seems to be alright
Geekie joy indeed! I didn’t know Fender ever put a copper shield in like that but it makes sense given the location of the Bright channel’s input jacks.
Is that bias vary tremolo or did I miss a roach somewhere on the board? Lyle knows this for sure, but adjustable bias is kind of essential with bias vary tremolo. Bias it too hot and no tremolo. It can be a bit fiddly getting it dialed in.
Cannot wait to see and your results.
The numbers stamp into the metal near the inked, can they tell anything about the build year. Stamp #'s look to be D 01400 into the metal. Can Fender give you any answers?
I love these amps. Treasures for sure.
why is this thing so clean outside, and yet the guts are such a temporal basket case 😂
Can you specify what "fader lube" you use? Really appreciate your Tech Tips. Learning how to get the DC leakage off Fender style fiber boards is a game changer for me and my newbie soldering/amp building skills. Much thanks again!
Lyle, when will parts 2and3 follow?
Geeky Joy for me. I love watching your videos as I learn about how amps work. One question. What is your opinion of the Fender Princeton II amplifier?
Thanks!
Avoid. More problems than they’re worth.
Well the mystery date amp does make for an interesting piece. I wondered if it had been made from parts, but too much of the work looks original to Fender. Nice amp regardless, despite questionable doghouse decisions having been made.
Lyle.....since you don't think much of some of Fender's reissue Princeton amps, I hope someday you will have the opportunity to review the PRS DGT15 and the Victory V40 Deluxe.
I’ve had the DGT30 in and it was really very good. I’ve had two Victory lunchboxes in and they were quite good for the price point but would be artificially expensive to service due to the construction methods used.
Geeky Joy to all !!!
How does the trem work with no dummy plug on the footswitch jack?
@4:43 I have a torque wrist that clicks at 20in.lbs. But after that, it's useless.
The geek in me gets beaten up by the jock in me, I'm a conflicted man...
🤣🤣🤣
Yes Sir… Geeky Joy encountered….
Lyle, why do you favor Fader Lube over Deoxit?
Because it does what it says on the tin.
I just noticed these say 'Tremolo' on the back...so Leo DID know the correct name, but chose to ignore it?
Lyle when will you be publishing parts 2 and 3 next on the amp?
When some parts arrive.
Thanks, lyle, on the parts.
Did you look up that link I posted for you on the year/date info?
I have never seen a Brown Deluxe with a single Astron film cap in it. I’ve looked through hundreds of images too.
I just don’t think Fender ever used them in the 6G3 through its entire production range.
I tried to clone how Fender built a 1960/61 Deluxe a few years ago. A lot of the other amps have mixed blues and yellows, so I wanted to do that. Nope, not a single one I could find had a mix.
Mojotone has 500v 16uf F&T’s btw. If the owner even cares about original component values anyways.
I’ve seen yellow Astrons in them but that was before I started the channel.
@@PsionicAudio It's pretty rare then. Being Fender, anything is possible.
I wonder if a fender employee found some unused parts and built it up for themselves?
Hi Lyle. I have this exact amp and it is in dire need of a tune up. It makes a bunch of noises when starting up and has a high noise floor. Is there a way to contact you and possibly schedule servicing?
Blue molded over leaky Astrons. Score.
Lovely amp, even if it is a mystery :) One thing: are those Ducati bypass caps? If yes, that would be an interesting choice. I've seen italian amps filled with almost 100% Ducati components but never a Fender one. Oh man, I wish I'd have that much Ducatis IRL that I replaced in those :)
Yes, ancient Ducatis.
@@PsionicAudio Thanks, i wouldn't expect those being used in the US.
Why does the ground wire have to be longer than the hot and neutral wires? Specifically, other than "for safety reasons?" I'm worried because my Mojotone kit did not specify that technicality.
If the power cord were to get pulled out from the chassis the hot and neutral wires would/should stop the ground wire from being pulled loose. Your ground connection would be protected. Functionally there is no difference.
Well, a bit more than that. If the cable was pulled and the hot connection broke loose after the ground, the chassis could be electrically live. With the ground longer, the hot touching chassis would short out, tripping a circuit breaker.
🤓👍👍👍
Warranty power transformer?
I imagine so.
Possibly. Remember, Fender amps at some point, used to have a 5-year factory warranty.
@@tjminasi1442 , One wonders how many, or more accurately how few devices have a 5 year factory warranty these days. (My Sebo vacuum cleaners which are 8 years old now had a 5 year warranty on the motor but a lifetime warranty on the belts. I've never needed to change anything on them other than filter bags and the prefilters).
Agreed, Lyle, many poor cold soldier joints... ugly looking. Still a nice amp
Vintage amp dating site
Deluxe 6G3, 6G3-A (brown)
D00100 to D00900 - 1961
D00800 to D03800 - 1962
D03800 to D04900 - 1963