Oahu amp query- can anybody help?

Nicholas Sands · Post by **Nicholas Sands** » 11 Jan 2008 11:08 am

I have an Oahu Tonemaster amp (from the 50's) which works fine but has one small thing wrong- the little bulb that lights up the Tonemaster panel in the front (over the top of the speaker shield-shaped grill) is missing and I have been unable to find a replacement here in the UK- not surprising as I don't know exactly what I'm looking for! I would love to get this lit up when I switch it on, so if anyone could tell me what bulb I need, and where I can get it on the internet, i would be most grateful, as the values are not shown on the wiring diagram. Many Thanks, Nick

Tim Kowalski · Post by **Tim Kowalski** » 11 Jan 2008 12:09 pm

Try vibroworld.com They ship internationally and have some vintage pilot bulbs that might work for you. You may need to check the voltage at the socket if you don't have the original to look at. You will need to go to the electronics page and look at pilot lamps.

Good luck.

Nicholas Sands · Post by **Nicholas Sands** » 12 Jan 2008 6:37 am

Dear Tim, many thanks for that tip and I will try the outlet you reccomended. You coulnd't help me further by suggesting exactly how I can go about checking for the correct voltage could you?
Many thanks
Nick

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 12 Jan 2008 11:06 am

Do you have a VOM? Volt/Ohm Meter.
How about takin' out the chassis and checking how the light is wired? But be careful! High voltages in the caps, even when unplugged. If you're not used to doin' tech stuff, then take it to a tech. It should cost virtually nothing for him to get the voltage, and tell you what style/size the socket is.

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 13 Jan 2008 9:33 am

What John said - if you don't know how to check the voltage DO NOT go inside the amp...you can kill yourself if you touch the wrong thing, even when the amp is unplugged. Filter capacitors store incredibly dangerous amounts of electricity.

Play it safe and take it to a tech. It's a really cheap repair.

Nicholas Sands · Post by **Nicholas Sands** » 14 Jan 2008 1:14 am

Dear john and Jim, thank you both for your wise advise- I'll take it!
Nick

Nicholas Sands · Post by **Nicholas Sands** » 14 Jan 2008 2:32 am

Actually, I was hoping someone with a similar Oahu tonemaster amp might be able just to look inside and tell me exactly which bulb to get- I'm sure I could just replace it then without a problem. I did try the website mentioned earlier, but it seems they have suspended trading for the moment.
Thanks anyway
Nick