Author Topic: Fender Amp Restoration (Read 165 times)

lidon2001 · « **on:** February 01, 2006, 08:11:43 AM »

Greetings all,

Since no one on EBay believes that my 1963 Blond Fender Bassman is the real thing, I have decided to restore it myself. I think Pele might sound really good through it, probably better than through my lowly Blues Junior.

Does anyone have any experience with Skip Simmons? I saw he has a 707 area code, so possibly a club member might be familiar with him. If anyone else has any suggestion on a GOOD Fender amp restoration-ist, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Tom

(Message edited by lidon2001 on February 01, 2006)

lbpesq · « **Reply #1 on:** February 01, 2006, 11:34:44 AM »

Tom:

I recently had work done on my late 60's blackface Pro Reverb and 50's Tweed Champ at A Broun Soun in San Rafael. They're the Tone Tubby Hempcone Speaker people. Good work, reasonably priced and timely completed. Who could ask for more!

Bill, tgo

kmh364 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 01, 2006, 04:15:50 PM »

I use Jay Bolinski in So. Amboy/Sayreville NJ for my tube amp stuff...he is the man when it comes to old tube stuff. He works out of his basement and is obsessed!

lidon2001 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 01, 2006, 04:46:21 PM »

Thanks Bill. I went to their website and it says they only take walk in repairs.

I found a good resource, though info somewhat dated, at www.hoffmanamps.com/service.htm.

I spoke with Skip. He actually used to do some bike riding with Alembic employees. I think my amp will be making a visit to the wonderful 707 area code. He seems to take the preservation aspect of these amps a bit more than the others I spoke with. I don't need roadworthy-ness. I want to keep this as stock as possible, but playable. The others I spoke with wanted to immediately replace all of the capacitors, or make a small change to make the bias adjusmtent easier. Skip maintains the mindset of less is more in my effort to keep it original, which I agree with. Of course, if I needed road worthy, he says he could do that too.

www.skipsimmonsamps.com

T

lidon2001 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 01, 2006, 04:47:41 PM »

Thanks Kevin. I'll look him up.
T

kmh364 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 02, 2006, 05:52:16 AM »

I can get you his number if you need it...he lives in the shadows of the bridges that link the rest of the NE with the Jersey Shore at the crossroads of the GS Parkway and Rts. 9/35.

He rescued my '78/'79-vintage silverface Fender Twin Reverb from certain banishment to the scrapheap, LOL! He's particularly an authority on Marshall Plexi's, but he's equally adept at all the classic tube ciruits of glory days past.