How to replace the lamp assembly on vintage Brown/Black face amps?

[Mark]

As I'm putting a new face plate on the Bassman 100, I need to remove the lamp assembly. As you'd know the lamp is in the corner of the chassis and held there by a large nut.

How do I unscrew the assembly without resorting to pliers and the like?

Thanks for your assistance.

[pompeiisneaks]

It seems like there used to be a wrench someone made for this purpose, but the site is now no longer selling anything. I found it on an ampgarage thread in the past here:

https://ampgarage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=19961

But that pointed to mission amps. That site no longer sells anything and seems to be a site about amp reviews now or something?

I just use needle nose pliers and get in at the right angle. It's definitely not easy.

~Phil

[M Fowler]

Unscrew the jewel from the front then remove the bulb by pushing in on the bulb and rotate left.
Use special wrench or needle nose pliers to loosen. It can be a real lesson in patience.

[Colossal]

It seems like there used to be a wrench someone made for this purpose, but the site is now no longer selling anything. I found it on an ampgarage thread in the past here:

https://ampgarage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=19961

But that pointed to mission amps. That site no longer sells anything and seems to be a site about amp reviews now or something?

I just use needle nose pliers and get in at the right angle. It's definitely not easy.

~Phil

Bruce from Mission Amps did, at one time, offer a purpose-built wrench for tightening that nut. I was fortunate to get one before he closed up. Barring that, as Mark says, remove the jewel cover and push and twist! If you break the bulb, you needed a new one anyway.

[Mark]

I remembered that someone made a wrench, though I couldn't buy one as Mission Amps never sold products overseas.

Thanks for you assistance.

[martin manning]

Antique Electronic has a flat wrench that might work. https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/w ... components

[Mark]

The Mission Amp 13/16" wrench is the ticket. I can't believe no one else made this tool. I would have bought it but Bruce didn't export to Australia.

[Stevem]

A good automotive size pair of 90 degree neddle nose pliers makes the job much less of a PIA!

Most times I use a few taps from a big ass screw driver just to get the nut moving / starting to spin about the threads.

[M Fowler]

I bought the Mission tool years ago and use it so often not just for the pilot light either.

Maybe bend a slim bicycle wrench to fit. Harbor Freight sells a flat wrench set as well that you could convert to an offset wrench.

Mark

[martin manning]

I sent a query to Stewart-MacDonald, who sells a wrench similar to the one AES sells, asking if it works for the jewel lamp holder nut inside a fender chassis. The guy who replied says it does. https://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/T ... anner.html

[Colossal]

For reference, here is the wrench from Mission Amps (now closed).

wrench.png

[martin manning]

That tool would be even better if the hex cutout were 12-point instead of six-point, to work in the limited space. Seems like a good candidate for an e-machine shop item, laser cut.

[Mark]

Good point Martin. Thanks for the replies.

[Mark]

I got my brother to make me a wrench so I'll be set in the future. I mentioned making a wrench to Mojotone as a possible product, but it might be more of a Stew Mac thing.

[Doug R.]

So...am I to believe none of you ever used a small hammer and a punch or screwdriver to loosen a nut like this ..