An amazing specimen crossed my bench today. So new looking, I thought it was a reissue, until I realized it's 73 years old!
Pasting my notes:
All original. Speaker code date 1951. Filter caps are shot—replaced all electrolytics, along with dropping resistors. Replaced 2-prong power cord with 3-prong (supplied), properly earthed to chassis. Found 3A fuse, replaced with 2A. Found broken 470K mixing resistor; replaced. 1273 preamp tube is moderately microphonic; no action taken. Cleaned pots and tightened all fasteners. Channels can be jumpered. Cathode biased power stage is not bypassed. 353 B+, 348 plates, 318 screens, 12.5 cathode, 203R cat resistor, 32mA each =~ 75%, 6.48vAC heaters.
Sounds great! Nice breakup. Super quiet at idle.
1951 Vega Commander model 51
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1951 Vega Commander model 51
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I build and repair tube amps. http://amps.monkeymatic.com
Re: 1951 Vega Commander model 51
That thing looks killer. I'm usually not a fan of the alligator, but this one is charming. Not swapping out the coupling caps?
Re: 1951 Vega Commander model 51
No, they seem to be holding ok. Can caps were shot.
I build and repair tube amps. http://amps.monkeymatic.com
Re: 1951 Vega Commander model 51
The 1273 tube? Took a bit of persistence. There are many viable substitutes. The condition of that amp case is not to be believed!
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Re: 1951 Vega Commander model 51
I wonder how much difference in climate affects paper cap lifespan. We get approximately two weeks of nice weather here, yearly, with very little consistency. I replace those on sight, most being horribly leaky or visibly damaged. Your caps are probably in the fresh, never frozen, category and spent a lifetime in a climate-controlled closet.
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Re: 1951 Vega Commander model 51
It's very nice!
Max, I wonder abiut caps vs climate all the time and I have become superstitious because it seems more related to the spirit world than anything. heh
Just like use, I think ambient temp cycles make them go longer, but also colder climates with less humidity fix them in a way they can be reformed more often.. it is so hard to know exactly.
Max, I wonder abiut caps vs climate all the time and I have become superstitious because it seems more related to the spirit world than anything. heh
Just like use, I think ambient temp cycles make them go longer, but also colder climates with less humidity fix them in a way they can be reformed more often.. it is so hard to know exactly.
Signatures have a 255 character limit that I could abuse, but I am not Cecil B. DeMille.
Re: 1951 Vega Commander model 51
With Trainwrecks, we marvel at the unused triode. With this amp, I am amazed at the UNBYPASSED POWER TUBE CATHODE! This amp is waiting to be unleashed. And the speaker is terribly inefficient.
I build and repair tube amps. http://amps.monkeymatic.com
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Re: 1951 Vega Commander model 51
hah! Losses are the best.. the brevity as audible soul, you know.
And they say track it direct we'll replace it. No. We will not. We will adore it.
Unused triode? Mmm.. I.. dunno.
And they say track it direct we'll replace it. No. We will not. We will adore it.
Unused triode? Mmm.. I.. dunno.
Signatures have a 255 character limit that I could abuse, but I am not Cecil B. DeMille.