Blake Amps

A couple really cool amps this week. In for wellness checks, NOS tubes and a power cord.

Here’s a fun one…mono transfer circuit jack. In 80’s Fender amps this is used as a extension speaker jack to select different impedance taps. This jack was intermittently open circuit. Disassembled, cleaned and tensioned…no more open circuit.

Visual inspection is just as valuable as any other tool in the shop. Intermittent problems like this can be tricky and time consuming to find. Always prove the failure and strategize your move before heating up the iron and changing parts. If you can’t prove the failure how do you know it’s fixed?

…modern guitar amps need love too. If it inspires you to make art then it’s good. I am just here to keep it ticking…

Orange Custom Shop 50. In for a check up before going out on tour. Good thing because one of power tubes had a unique failure (slide 3). This tube got so hot that the metal heat dissipating wing deformed and contacted the glass envelope causing two cracks. Interestingly the tube has not lost it’s vacuum…yet, so it is not reliable. New power tubes and upgraded screen resistors installed for reliability.

Orange Custom Shop 50watt… In for a check up before going out on tour. Good thing, cause one of the power tubes had a unique failure (photo 3). Tube got so hot the heat dissipating wing deformed and contacted the glass resulting in 2 cracks. Interestingly the vaccum is still intact but it is no longer reliable especially for a pro touring musician. So, new power tubes and screen resistors replaced for reliability. Gotta say this is a wonderful amp, simple design and great tone…what else does one need?

Silvertone 1484. Full service restoration. Tricky amps to service but have a cool unique tone. Lots of upgrades here in part selection and layout…definitely more than meets the eye…

Silvertone 1484. Full service restoration. These are not built to be serviced…especially tricky is replacing the multi section capacitor. Input jacks upgraded to shorting type which reduces noise. There are a few gotcha’s in this circuit design so make sure you understand before attempting service on these…not like a Fender! See pics for all the details. This amp may not look pretty but it sounds killer!

Reworking solder connections on this PCB from a Marshall JCM 2000 TSL. There are many critical connections on this board that are prone to failure. Properly removing the old solder, creating a mechanical connection and using good quality leaded solder can prolong the event of failure and destruction of expensive components in the amp.

Another point of failure for these Marshall JCM 2000’s. 20 revisions of this PCB and they can’t correct this. Upgrading the power handling resistor to 1w flame proof and will be mounted off the board for air flow cooling. Look at the size difference. I’m no engineer but clearly neither are the designers at Marshall. Simple ohms law…

Brand new Marshall PCB replacement…sh*t QC. After paying $200+ I have to fix all the mistakes before installing this on a customer’s amp. There are more corrections to be made…Don’t support companies that don’t care for their customers.

80’s vintage drum machine. It arrived with multiple non functioning buttons (switches). I did a thorough cleaning and repair on all mechanical parts and cleaned all the jacks. Now it’s working great and has that unique 80’s tone. This item is for sale. Inquire for details.

Cap job on a Fender Twin Reverb 65’

Are EV’s heavy?…well have a look…Custom made speaker baffle, made with Baltic Birch plywood instead of the particle board Fender used.

Carvin Legacy 3…arrived with a blown fuse and shorted power tube. Pretty straight forward repair…new quad of 6CA7’s, fuse, and general maintenance. As with all repairs I run the amp through it’s paces to confirm health, performance and reliability.

…quick mock up for a 5E3 scratch build. This will have a few improvements from the original design.

You know that feeling when your pick magically disappears…

Fender Deluxe Reverb reissue…upgraded caps and a few tubes.

Full Restoration on a 1966 Ampeg SB-12.

Blake Amps updated their phone number.

Blake Amps updated their business hours.