sasqwatch Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 First I should clarify this post is not a how to, as much as a share my experience! My first tube amp was a Jolida fx10 which uses 6bq5 tubes for the output . I used it primarily with 1987 Klipschorns in what I would consider a medium to small room at medium loud to lower listening volumes, and loved the sound. But after reading post after post about the quality of sound of the vintage tube amps like Scott , Fisher, Mac. etc. and in some of the post there was some discussion as to why they sound so nice like better iron in the transformers the circuitry used and better overall parts and workmanship from a era long since past. I was intrigued. So like most of you AFFLICTED with this audio hobby I went in quest of better or higher quality sound. I decided on a Scott intergraded amp ( supposed Mac killer) and liked the look of the brown faced lk 72. After finding and buying a working amp I started to educate myself on the different aspects of its restoration. So with my non existing skill set or understanding of anything electrical outside of paying the monthly bill ,decided it would have to be shipped to someone. While exploring the options of qualified techs I was told by a fellow forum member to talk with Maynard. While discussing what would be involved to have him restore the amp I soon realized that I had been steered by the fellow forum to a highly qualified and stellar human being !! At some point in are conversation I expressed the fact that I wished I knew how to do this myself . In the following email I could actually pick up on the excitement that it was infact possible and Maynard was wiling to help me. So began the adventure!!! The way this was to work would be to send Maynard pics of the bottom of the amp with the cover removed and he would formulate a plan of attack, list of parts to buy and a set of instruction`s. When I would get the work finished from his instructions I would photo the replaced components , confirm the amp still worked and send Maynard the photos for evaluation then the process would repeat. Sometimes I would receive new instructions sometimes I would have to rework something or maybe resolder a connection but I always received encouragement. At one point I lost signal in one channel, after replacing more components than I was supposed to before confirming what I had done was correctly working.( case of having to much fun desoldering and soldering). I emailed Maynard and confessed to my overzealous stent with the ole soldering iron . He replied not to worry about it that he in fact he had been guilty of the same thing and ask if I had a sound generating thingy , I had no idea what it looked like or really was used for but was positive I didn't have one. Maynard replied no worries we will make one, then gave me instructions how to make one out of a old receiver, speaker, cd player and rca cable . We then commenced to locate the issue, which turned out to be a balance control pot that had been working and was acting up. I must admit that I had a blast doing this! The amp is now complete and working perfectly. I can say for me and the few that have listened to it. It truly sounds amazing on my klipschorns. While I gained a lot of experience and knowledge I have a lot to learn or understand! I want to say that do it yourself may not be for everyone but it is possible with the proper guidance . I would like to also mention some safety guidelines.( discharge all electrolytics,only one hand in amp at a time , never work barefoot and don't work on a conductive work surface.) While I have not been to a cookout, drank beer, chased the local women around or a multitude of things friends do, I do consider you Maynard as such! So thank you my friend for your time and understanding. Stacy PS. Maynard I am all itchy and have those bumps and rash again so I bought a Mac 225 andc24 pre sat. ill be in touch Now I can test the Mac killer comment before pics after pics 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 For those that don't know, Maynard is an incredible asset to this community. He is amazingly generous with his time and knowledge. Great project and story. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tube fanatic Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 Well, all I can say is that Stacy has a very natural talent for doing this type of work (I've seen professional restorations which don't look this good)! I've helped local guys, with no prior electronics experience, do restorations and can say that none did the kind of job that Stacy did. It's all the more remarkable that this was done without my being there! Truly a major achievement!!! Maynard 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sasqwatch Posted August 18, 2015 Author Share Posted August 18, 2015 For those that don't know, Maynard is an incredible asset to this community. He is amazingly generous with his time and knowledge. Great project and story. We are truly blessed to have him here. thanks CECAA850 I am glad you enjoyed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sasqwatch Posted August 18, 2015 Author Share Posted August 18, 2015 Well, all I can say is that Stacy has a very natural talent for doing this type of work (I've seen professional restorations which don't look this good)! I've helped local guys, with no prior electronics experience, do restorations and can say that none did the kind of job that Stacy did. It's all the more remarkable that this was done without my being there! Truly a major achievement!!! Maynard Thanks Maynard , I am proud of OUR work my friends and family say im somewhat of a perfectionist. But it is a testament to your knowledge and patience. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark1101 Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 Very nice job. I have an LK-72 and love it. What kind of caps are those in the audio path...........and what happened to the bottom of the power transformer? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tube fanatic Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 The caps are CDE DME series caps. They are my preferred cap for audio work (as well as radio restoration). Regarding the dented power xfmr, my guess is that the person who originally built the amp may have dropped it. Maynard http://www.cde.com/resources/catalogs/DME.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sasqwatch Posted August 27, 2015 Author Share Posted August 27, 2015 Very nice job. I have an LK-72 and love it. What kind of caps are those in the audio path...........and what happened to the bottom of the power transformer? Thanks Mark1101 ,which version LK-72 do you have? I have no idea what happened to the bottom of the transformer it was like that when I bought it. Stacy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark1101 Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 I have an LK-72B with the dark brown face. It was a kit someone built. it was new in 1960 (same as me). I have had it for probably 10 years now and NOSValves rebuilt it and has had it back a couple of times for improvements. I recapped it with Auricaps at one point. Craig did some mods to it for bias, DC balance, and replaced all the RCA jacks with gold ones on a neat acrylic plate that spaced them out for newer style interconnects. I use it with cornwalls on long speaker wires that I usually take outdoors onto my basement patio. Ver y sweet presentation. I had a few other Scotts and sold them as I preferred the sound (and power) of the LK-72. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark1101 Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 Can I ask what you used to clean the unit? Looks brand new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sasqwatch Posted August 28, 2015 Author Share Posted August 28, 2015 Can I ask what you used to clean the unit? Looks brand new.Actually it was really clean when I bought it , the only thing I did was a good dusting. Quick question. How do I post a pic so it is viewable without having to download it. Stacy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark1101 Posted August 28, 2015 Share Posted August 28, 2015 I'd say same way you did the ones above. Not really sure what you are asking. I just "add this file" after browsing PC to choose the pic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sasqwatch Posted August 29, 2015 Author Share Posted August 29, 2015 I'd say same way you did the ones above. Not really sure what you are asking. I just "add this file" after browsing PC to choose the pic.what I was asking is when you came to the pics in post were you able to see them,or did you have to download them to view them. I noticed when I'm not logged in all I see is the download info but when I'm logged in I see the actual pic. Stacy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark1101 Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 (edited) Honestly, I see different things on different PCs based on the security SW being used. Sometimes I view this forum from work and I don't see any pics, nor download info, file names, etc. Nothing. It's like it's not there. I am at home now and see the pics logged in or not. Usually I only log in to post. Edit.........nope, I just checked and when not logged in I see file names of the pics. Edited August 29, 2015 by mark1101 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Morbius Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Great amp, I have the 299D which is the non-kit version of yours. I like how the power tubes are way in the back to keep cooler! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadog Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 (edited) Great story sasqwatch. It takes a lot of confidence and a spirit of adventure to attempt what you did with no previous experience! Edited September 4, 2015 by Seadog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sasqwatch Posted September 4, 2015 Author Share Posted September 4, 2015 Honestly, I see different things on different PCs based on the security SW being used. Sometimes I view this forum from work and I don't see any pics, nor download info, file names, etc. Nothing. It's like it's not there. I am at home now and see the pics logged in or not. Usually I only log in to post. Edit.........nope, I just checked and when not logged in I see file names of the pics. That is the same for me. I imagine it may be like that so only logged in members can view. Hey I just noticed your in Georgia, I have a cousin I vist down there. Maybe next time I'm down we can get together. I think it would be interesting to do a side by side comparison of the amps with the different capacitors. Stacy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sasqwatch Posted September 4, 2015 Author Share Posted September 4, 2015 Great amp, I have the 299D which is the non-kit version of yours. I like how the power tubes are way in the back to keep cooler!I believe they are the same amp. I also have a beautiful 233 which I believe is a somewhat stripped down version of the 299D LK-72 from what I have read they left out some of the feature switches. Stacy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sasqwatch Posted September 4, 2015 Author Share Posted September 4, 2015 Great story sasqwatch. It takes a lot of confidence and a spirit of adventure to attempt what you did with no previous experience!Thanks Seadog,I do like adventure and I had all the confidence in the world Maynard would get me through it alive with a beautifully working amp.It was a experience I'm thankful to have had!! Stacy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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