Marshall 3203/4203 C13 Bright Mod
The Marshall 4203 Artist 30 combo amp was introduced in 1986 and discontinued in 1991. The Marshall 3203 is the mini stack head version of the 4203. The preamp is solid state, only the power amp uses tubes (1x 12AX7 & 2 x EL34). This combo was fitted with a 12" Celestion G12 Vintage T3896 8Ω speaker. This is a great sounding combo amp, but the clean channel is a bit shrill sounding. The C13 capacitor can be clipped out of the circuit or you can add a mini SPDT toggle switch to turn it on or off like a bright switch found on many fender amps.
ClassicTone Transformers By Magnetic Components
ClassicTone is a new line of vintage constructed amplifier transformers by Magnetic Components, Inc. ClassicTone is the culmination of decades of experience producing hundreds of thousands of our fine custom amplifier transformers for the amplifier industry. Magnetic Components has been in business since 1943 in the Chicago area and have vast knowledge of quality transformer manufacturing for the military and amplifier industry.
A Comparison of Reverb Tanks
For many years, Accutronics® (a Hammond® Corporation Company) designed and built spring reverberation units in the United States. Today, most reverb tanks are built in Korea and China. The following is a comparison of current made reverb tanks as well as the Accutronics® (made in USA) tanks which are no longer in production.
Install 3 Prong Power Cord On A Vintage Fender Amp
I will show you how to replace the old 2 prong power cord to an updated 3 prong with ground on your Vintage Fender Amp. The original 2 prong power cords can be very dangerous, causing you to get shocked, especially in some clubs where the power outlets are not grounded. I've personally stepped up to the mic, started to sing, then started to play, and blue flames shot from my mouth. I was using a 69' Fender bassman head and cab with the old 2 prong power cord. Needless to say this file was written right after I modded it the next day.
Popular Amplifier And Effects Tone Stacks
Included in this file is the 7 most popular tone stacks. Included tone stacks are Fender, Marshall, Vox, James, Big Muff, Bench, E-series.
Vintage Fender Amps Year/Month Codes
The following file will help you date your Vintage Fender Amp. On the inside wall of your amp cabinet, there may be a tube location sticker which shows the tube layout, model number, production location etc.. There may also be some letter date codes rubber stamped on this sticker. These date codes will contain two letters of the alphabet which refer to the year and month of production, and may be interpreted as follows.
Dating Pre-CBS Fender Amplifiers
Fender amps made after 1953 had a date code stamped on the tube chart located on the inside of the cabinet of self-contained amps and inside the amp head on piggy-back models. Sometimes the factory stamped the tube chart code onto the amp chassis too. Look for two small letters in rubber-stamped ink but be sure not to confuse the date code with the production number, the model number, or the serial number.
Tube Characteristics And Substitutions
Some quick and dirty subs and some tube data such as recommended bias current and approximate voltages. These subs are all taken from the Tube Substitution Handbook.
Proper Care Of Your Tube Amp
Tube Amps are generally going to be just as reliable as their solid-state counterparts if you just observe the following things about them. Besides that tube amps kick butt.
What Does Biasing An Amp Mean?
Why do you need to bias a tube? Tubes have to be properly biased in order to function as amplification stages. A tube is biased by setting the amount of DC current that flows in the tube when there is no signal present at the tube's grid with respect to it's cathode. This DC bias current can be set in a number of ways. The bias point determines several things about a tube amplification stage.