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Topic: Sho-Bud Amp needs tubes! Find them where? |
Frank Bradley
From:
Seaford, Delaware
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Posted 2 Mar 2009 6:33 am |
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I have a 30+ year old Sho-Bud amp (15" speaker - Christmas Tree I think) that's been tucked away for most of it's life and I suspect needs new tubes. It worked fine when I put it to bed. Now it will only power up but no sound comes from either channel. The great state of Delaware no longer has a music store that sells anything resembling steel guitars, parts, especially anything with the Sho-Bud name attached to it. Any suggestions where to turn to get this puppy up and running again? This was a GREAT sounding amp that I'd like to start using again.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. |
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Matthew Prouty
From:
Warsaw, Poland
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Posted 2 Mar 2009 7:04 am
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Frank,
It could be tubes, but if it was not played for a long time there is a great chance the caps are dried out.
This will most likely get moved to Electronics, but there is a laundry list of things that need to be check.
I would start with checking to see if the tubes glow.
m. |
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Frank Bradley
From:
Seaford, Delaware
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Posted 2 Mar 2009 7:26 am
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| Thanks for the advise. I didn't notice the tubes glowing. Wish I knew of somewhere in my area to have it checked out. |
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Dave Mudgett
From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
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Posted 2 Mar 2009 7:34 am
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If you have an old tube amp that's been sitting for 30 years, you shouldn't turn it on at all until a qualified electronics tech who knows his or her way around high-voltage tube circuits goes over it. Electrolytic power supply filter capacitors have a useful life between 10-20 years, and it's worse to sit than to be used regularly.
Tubes don't usually degrade if they're not used, as long as they're not handled roughly and/or broken. But if you want help locating tubes, you'll need to specify which ones you need.
Hopefully someone will chime in on the location of some good tube amp techs in the Southern Jersey/Eastern PA/Delaware area. It's worth getting somebody who is really good - don't expect to get a good result from someone who isn't very experienced with tube guitar amps, and even then, pedal steel amps are a bit off the beaten track. If you are a typical pedal steel player, you will need to convey that you are looking for clean power, not a heavily distorted sound like a lot of 6-string guitarists are going for these days.
Just noticed your response on tubes not glowing. It could be the fuse - but if it is, I emphatically suggest that you do NOT replace it and turn it on. You could turn a simple issue into a big one. Be patient and get it to a good tech. |
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Matthew Prouty
From:
Warsaw, Poland
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Posted 2 Mar 2009 7:37 am
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Frank,
Do you want to sell it?
m. |
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Frank Bradley
From:
Seaford, Delaware
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Posted 2 Mar 2009 4:06 pm
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| Dave... thanks for the great advise. She won't see a spark until I can get her somewhere. |
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Frank Bradley
From:
Seaford, Delaware
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Posted 2 Mar 2009 4:08 pm
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| Matthew... I could be talked into parting with it. I have a couple of Peaveys... just thought it was a shame for the Sho-Bud amp to just sit there. Any offer in mind? |
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