59Panhead
Junior Member
Decided to start a new thread, as I've got a few minutes this morning before heading out to spend the day with the wife.
I've got a couple Thunderstar Bass heads that have been sitting around for awhile. They are both 4-tube models, and I haven't dated either of them, yet. I will say that I'm intrigued by the design of these. A departure from the standard Fender/clone cookie cutter designs that are found everywhere.
Both were brought up on the lamp limiter, back when I first got them, though there was quite a time separation between as they were separate purchases. I have had the chassis out of both, as I like to do a visual before putting them on the limiter. One has the carry handle on top (big ol' handle, the same as on my Ampeg Fliptops), and one has the handle on one end.
The top handle model chassis and front panel are as a unit, and slide out the front. However, the end handle model chassis and front panel are separate, the front panel being held in place by machine screws on each end. It comes off first and then the chassis can slide out. Other than these differences, they are basically the same.
The top handle was robbed of all it's tubes, but fortunately I have an abundance of old stock. And, a few modern stock. I decided to go with modern on this one, as I don't use those unless I absolutely need to. I didn't need to this time, but I wanted to try them. Monitored the bias and adjusted, after a few minutes warmup. This amp has some minor hum issues, mostly from the pre-amp end. A small bit of power supply, but I'm ok with that for now. Overall, it is a great sounding amp.
The end handle was complete with old stock tubes, and needs major capacitor attention. Loud hum that not affected by the volume pot. Decoupling caps have to go, and then I'll troubleshoot from there.
I'll post my progress on them, when I am able to get to them. No pictures as of yet, but maybe this weekend. Have a good one.
Jack
I've got a couple Thunderstar Bass heads that have been sitting around for awhile. They are both 4-tube models, and I haven't dated either of them, yet. I will say that I'm intrigued by the design of these. A departure from the standard Fender/clone cookie cutter designs that are found everywhere.
Both were brought up on the lamp limiter, back when I first got them, though there was quite a time separation between as they were separate purchases. I have had the chassis out of both, as I like to do a visual before putting them on the limiter. One has the carry handle on top (big ol' handle, the same as on my Ampeg Fliptops), and one has the handle on one end.
The top handle model chassis and front panel are as a unit, and slide out the front. However, the end handle model chassis and front panel are separate, the front panel being held in place by machine screws on each end. It comes off first and then the chassis can slide out. Other than these differences, they are basically the same.
The top handle was robbed of all it's tubes, but fortunately I have an abundance of old stock. And, a few modern stock. I decided to go with modern on this one, as I don't use those unless I absolutely need to. I didn't need to this time, but I wanted to try them. Monitored the bias and adjusted, after a few minutes warmup. This amp has some minor hum issues, mostly from the pre-amp end. A small bit of power supply, but I'm ok with that for now. Overall, it is a great sounding amp.
The end handle was complete with old stock tubes, and needs major capacitor attention. Loud hum that not affected by the volume pot. Decoupling caps have to go, and then I'll troubleshoot from there.
I'll post my progress on them, when I am able to get to them. No pictures as of yet, but maybe this weekend. Have a good one.
Jack
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