Wardsweb Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Well I've stumbled onto a rather sad MC240. It has been in a shed for years. The pictures show years of neglect. Good bones that are in need of a lot of TLC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest " " Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Are you going to take that mission on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wardsweb Posted March 9, 2011 Author Share Posted March 9, 2011 I'm doing research and talking with people that have "been there, done that." It could be a very nice amp. Although not all original when upgraded. Just need to determine how far to go, how original or just make it the best it can be for personal use. Cleaning alone makes it look a lot easier than initially thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest " " Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 the common gottcha's on something like this are things like what's wrong with the amp that got it a home in the shed in the first place....maybe tubes....maybe tranny's...maybe circutry. While in the shed, has the humidity caused oxidation on all the socket contacts, the wipers on the potentiometers , switches, etc. How hot was it in that shed...are the caps dried out. If the caps test good for capacitance, do they have any other issues like high ESR's. Has anyone tried to fix it before it went into the shed, and furthur complicated the restoration. Obtain schematics, variac's, etc or better, get an estimate from an experienced Mac restorer if you are not really in it for the fun of doing it your self. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 What happens when you plug her in? [] Well, if anyone can make this into a gem, it'd be you. You do amazing work!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JL Sargent Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 What fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wardsweb Posted March 9, 2011 Author Share Posted March 9, 2011 What happens when you plug her in? Yea, that's not going to happen for bit. Some measurements, couple parts replacement/upgrades and then on a variac. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Oh, you're no fun![] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wardsweb Posted March 9, 2011 Author Share Posted March 9, 2011 Oh come on fini. You know just plugging it in is the fastest way to let the magic smoke out. Once that mystical magical flurry of puff is out, it is impossible to capture it and put it back in. You can only buy new smoke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornman Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Dang Luther, you find the coolest stuff & you are deffinetly the man to restore the magic. best regards, Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HudsonValleyNoah Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 OK. Been there and done that. Well been there and had Terry De Wick do that. Not expensive really; <$400 but it could have been worse. Seems those bumble bee resistors went bad in some runs of 240's but not in others. Mine were fine. The surface rust is (as I bet you have figured out) not reversible with out re-chroming the chassis. Those big caps are likely ready to be replaced. The power supply parts will need to be replaced. Terry is tops in the McIntosh repair field and I highly recommend him. He will also take the time to help you if you get stuck and need a hand as to what way to turn... Noah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wardsweb Posted March 9, 2011 Author Share Posted March 9, 2011 OK. Been there and done that. Well been there and had Terry De Wick do that. ...snip... Terry is tops in the McIntosh repair field and I highly recommend him. He will also take the time to help you if you get stuck and need a hand as to what way to turn... Noah Yes, I agree that Terry is "the man" when it comes to vintage amps and especially McIntosh. I've already been in contact with him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JL Sargent Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 I've tried to imagine that chassis in a powder coated black or flat black, etc. In the end though, I think you should rechrome it. That will be a great looking amp! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audible Nectar Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 If the trannies are good and working, this might be a candidate for a "rechassis". Seemed to me there is a fellow here (Scott?) who had some of these chassis redone, and while it would be a lot of work, it would be a job worth doing if the irreplaceable electronics in this amp are OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 So, if you choose to re-chrome it, does anyone sell decals, or some other way to restore the printing? I guess one could find someone to re-screen it (decals might be pretty funky). Or, just leave it blank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxx Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 What a project! Good luck.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnatnoop Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 Looks like a great project! Good Luck and in the end you have a piece that YOU built. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliikoa-2000 Posted March 12, 2011 Share Posted March 12, 2011 Hi my friend what an awesome find. Being able to resurect a classic gives me chicken skin. The good part is the components are old school and easier to solder back to the bread board. Just imagine new parts with closer tolerances! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebes Posted March 12, 2011 Share Posted March 12, 2011 I let out the magic smoke from every amp I work on, not to mention magic flames and they still work when I'm done. Probably depends on weather you want to listen or look at that beastie will determine what you should do with it. First I'd try some of that Simulachrome I see in the pictures on the chrome. That stuff is great and could very well bring that chrome back . Than, since it spend years in a shed, I'd probably consider popping it in the over for a spell. I think there's a "sticky" on this over at AK . Chances are the xformers are just fine, but some basic testing with a multimeter should show up any gross failures. Because of the way it was stored, I'd certainly replace every single cap, and well you are at it for a few bucks more I'd swap out all the pots, and replace all the resistors with one watt metalalized. New tubes will cost you much more than all the parts replacements. I'd be happy to test for you the tubes you do have and you can go from there with biasing or whatever else is needed, then fire it up without the variac. Hey, what could possibly go wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted March 12, 2011 Share Posted March 12, 2011 Hey, what could possibly go wrong? I'm with you, Marty, but some guys are just sissies. Smart sissies. I didn't think you could test a transformer with just a multimeter. Can you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.