1963 AC30 - time for semi retirement?

Matt Bianco

Thanks to another thread I got some great advice about checking AC30s and the valves for a way to find the source of a hum that had started recently since bringing it round rehearsal studios (Thanks Eoin Madsen!)

It got me thinking, my AC30 is a 1963 and while it's got a beautiful tone, should I be risking it lugging it around rehearsals and hopefully gigs on the horizon? Does anyone have any experience of AC30's of this vintage and am I slowly slaying the golden goose by bringing it around in tow? It gets very hot (which I believe is normal) enough but should I be limiting the time it's on for and giving the tubes time to cool off before moving it?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Doctor J

Matt Bianco wrote: »

It got me thinking, my AC30 is a 1963 and while it's got a beautiful tone, should I be risking it lugging it around rehearsals and hopefully gigs on the horizon?

If you don't play through it what's the point of having it? Play through it and enjoy every second of it, get the very last out of it.

Paolo_M

If the amp has been checked out ok, ie filter caps checked and replaced if necessary, all voltages and bias levels checking out ok etc.etc., then I see no reason not to gig it like any other amp. Unless you're a "keep your best suit for your funeral" kinda guy!!

Seziertisch

If you were really worried about keeping it in original condition, I have heard of guys removing the original transformers for safe keeping and replacing them with new ones. Mercury Magnetics, for example, are supposed to make transformers that sound every bit as good as the originals in most cases (I have some in a Fender amp and they sound very good indeed, as good as the originals they are cloning, that I can't say) Going this route wouldn't necessarily be the cheapest though.

Dord

If you're that worried about it then get it serviced. I've got a new amp coming very soon and it's older than the AC30 you have.

Paolo_M

Dord wrote: »

I've got a new amp coming very soon and it's older than the AC30 you have.

Do tell.

Dord

Paolo_M wrote: »

Do tell.

Well... here's a picture of some tubes I got today for it as spares.



You'll have to wait til I get the amp to find out, unless you can guess. :pac:

Matt Bianco

Thanks for the replies - I had it checked out by Aladdin Amps who did a lot of work on it when I got it a few years so should be in decent shape and configured as it should be

Definitely not a best suit kind of guy so will let it keep on what it does best!

Dord

Matt Bianco wrote: »

Thanks for the replies - I had it checked out by Aladdin Amps who did a lot of work on it when I got it a few years so should be in decent shape and configured as it should be

Definitely not a best suit kind of guy so will let it keep on what it does best!

Thats the best thing to do. If it does break down in the future (hope not) then you can get it checked out and hopefully brought back to life.

punchdrunk

Dord wrote: »

Well... here's a picture of some tubes I got today for it as spares.



You'll have to wait til I get the amp to find out, unless you can guess. :pac:

Ampeg?

Dord

punchdrunk wrote: »

Ampeg?

Nope.

Now, lets not mess up Matts thread anymore. Yiz can all wait... and no more PM's askin' either! :mad: :pac:

Paolo_M

My guess is Lecrolab or an Alamo or some other vintage student amp?