TUBE AMP MODIFICATIONS & CUSTOM WORK


The following is a list of amp Mod's that we do on a regular basis.
There are many more, and we may be able to do them. They are not brand or model specific. We just listen to what the customer wants from his amp and modify it to achieve this.
TUBE AMP MODS
TRANSFORMER UPGRADES
USA TO AUSTRALIAN POWER CONVERSIONS

FENDER BLUES JR. MODS.
FENDER AMPS OTHER

MIDI INSTALLATIONS
SWITCHING BOXES

PEDAL BOARD SETUPS & PEDAL MODS

Please Note:
We don’t Mod all amps, just the ones we think are worth while.
We don’t Mod solid state amps, just tube amps.
We have included approx prices only as price will vary depending on the make and model of the amp, its condition, etc. Prices include parts.

If you can't see the Mod you're after just give us a call or email and we'll tell you if we can do it.

RE-TUBE AND SERVICE.
Remove old tubes and install new ones, re-bias and service. This is the single most effective Mod which when done properly and providing that nothing else is wrong, will restore the your amp back to original tone. please see our repairs page.

GAIN INCREASE FOR AMPS WITHOUT EXTRA TUBE.
Small amounts of extra gain can be achieved with component changes in most earlier tube amps. approx. $90

GAIN INCREASE FOR AMPS WITH EXTRA TUBE.

Huge amounts of gain can be achieved with one extra 12AX7 Tube. Requires extra tube, tube socket and components. please note, this is Mod is best suited to older amps such as Marshall’s. Modern multi-channels amps have the gain already and may have space limitations. $200-$250

DEPTH CONTROL/BASS BOOST.

Installing a Depth control in an amps feedback loop can boost the bottom end. Requires one pot, some components and wiring. $90
The bass from JCM900 amps can be increased with this control and other Mods. $90-$120

DUAL VOLUME MOD.
Gives 2 footswitchable  master volumes. Set one higher and hit the switch and you'll be louder with the same gain for solos. Includes extra volume control, F/S socket and switching circuit. Footswitch with LED optional,. Switching is noiseless. approx $120

DUAL VOLUME AND DUAL GAIN MOD.. Gives a volume boost as well as a gain boost. Excellent for solos. Requires 2 extra pots, f/s socket and switching circuit. Footswitch with LED optional,. Switching is noiseless. approx. $180-$200 (not inc. F/S)

EXTERNAL SINGLE AND DUAL BIAS POTS. bias mod
This mod Installs a bias pots on the chassis to adjust the bias on all power tubes collectively. Alternatively, 2 bias pots can be installed. One bias pot for the outer tubes and the other bias pot for the inner tubes. This allows dissimilar tubes to be operated, i.e. EL34's for the outer tubes and 6L6's for the inner's. Also bias test points can be added to measure tube current, individually or collectively. approx $120

EFFECTS LOOP (SEND AND RETURN, TUBE).
Buffered tube output to send socket and tube gain stage on return socket. Requires one 12AX7 tube, tube socket and a small amount of components. $250

BRIGHT SWITCH. Boost the tops using a push pull pot. approx. $80
MID BOOST. Foot switchable or push pull pot. (point to point wired amps mainly) $80

HALF POWER SWITCH.
For 4 power tube amps (100watts or 30watts) reduces power to half. Requires one single poles switch for class AB amps and wiring $90. for class A, double pole switch is required plus wiring $100.

TRIODE/PENTODE SWITCH.
A Pentode tube wired for Triode operation reduces power by approx. 1/3, warms tone, and increases distortion. Switch back to Pentode for full power and brighter tone.  $80-$100

POWER TUBE CHANGES. 
Install 6550 in your amps for cleaner bigger sound. Requires 6550 tubes and bias change or change from 6L6's to EL34's or most other octal base tubes approx. $90 plus tubes.

HT FUSE INSTALLATION. 
For all tube amps without HT fuses. Minimizes damage in the event of power tube failure. Requires one fuse holder and wiring. approx $90

REVERB TANK AMPS.Reverbtankamp
Novelty tube amps made from old unwanted reverb tanks, 10 watts class A push pull output (2 x El84) with volume and tone.
or 5 - 10 watt single ended class A fitted with 1x 6550 or EL34 or 6L6 or 6V6 or anything with an octal base ) with Volume and tone.
Single ended class A 5watts with 6L6 shown. Well if you want something a little more up market please have a look at our latest product, the Angry Ant.

OUTPUT TRANSFORMER UPGARDE.mercury
Improve the sound quality of any amp with an Output Transformer upgrade. We can fit Mercury Magnetics or one of our own Custom transformers to greatly improve tone. If your amp is fitted with a generic, low-budget, tiny, transformers you need an real transformer fitted. Email for quote
POWER TRANSFORMER UPGRADE.
Tube amps need big transformers to sound good. Transformers are the first thing budget amp makers skimp on. They usually use undersized transformers that run very hot and at there limit all the time. Some makers don't even use a choke! We can fit Mercury Magnetics transformers or one of our custom transformers to improve tone and reliability. Email for quote

USA to AUSTRALIAN VOLTAGE CONVERSIONS.

120v to 240v POWER TRANSFORMER CONVERSIONS.

Due to the popularity of ebay and other online shopping sites we offer a 120v to 240v power conversions service for our Australian customers importing American amps. See our Repairs page for more info.

Amp
FENDER BLUES JR. MODS.

We are often ask if we can do mods to blues junior amps and yes we do. There are many mods for this amp, we can do them all or just some, we can install new output transformers or speakers or just do the electronics.
MODS INCLUDE:
Tube Replacement. We have a selection of EL84 and 12ax7's for getting the best tone out of this amp but to do so you might like to do the following..
Output Transformer Replacement
. We replace
the standard undersized Blues Jr. Output transformer with a larger Hammond Output transformer or one of our hand wound transformers for better tighter bass, cleaner headroom and more clarity.
Tone Stack Mod.
Produces Twin-like clean tone and clarity. Changes the caps in the tone stack to the original values and reconfigures the Mid pot wiring.
Presence Control. The presence control lets you adjust presence from a brighter, louder aggressive tone to a more laid-back sound that’s ideal for jazz or a warm, mellow tone.
Sparkle Control. Operates much like a tweed-era tone control, rolling off the harsh highs gently across a spectrum that covers the treble and the upper mids.
Coupling Cap Values Mod. Early stage cap values are changes for thicker tone and more bass.
Adjustable Bias Mod. For setting power tube bias for best headroom or early tube break up.
Replacement Speaker. A Celestion Greenback works well with this amp but any other could be used for desired tone.
Cap Job. Replace all the signal path caps with Polypropylene "Orange Drop" caps and Silver Mica for clarity or SoZo for vintage tone.
SwitchCraft Input Socket. Get rid of the standard plastic socket and install a heavy duty metal socket.
Standby Switch. Extend tube life by turning off the high voltages on the tubes during playing breaks.
Hum Reduction. We can sort out the amps hum and buzzing if you have these problems.
Reverb Problems. We can sort out problems that you have with the reverb of this amp.

Cheek out the testimonials on these Blues Jr. amp mods.

Please email us and we can work out a price for the mods you want done.
Want something better? Handmade? Point to point wired? Well check out our 3 little 15-20 watt Aussie made amps that kick this amps butt right of the stage, the Buddy Amp DR 15, the Vintage Reverb 15 and the Rock Bender 20 DR.

FENDER HOT ROD DELUXE & BLUES DELUXE
Volume gets too loud too quick.

These amps get very loud very quickly. Your constantly trying to get your volume right at around 1-2 on the volume control. The pots used by Fender have the wrong taper on them. We can fix this problem and increase this range from 1-2 to 1-5 so its much easier to get the desired volume from these amps. This mod can be done to both channels.

FENDER DELUXE REVERB AMP RE-ISSUE MODS

Cap Job for Re-Issue Amps.
We can replace all the signal path caps In Re-issue Fender amps with SoZo caps for authentic vintage tone. Can be done on any amp fitted with standard caps to improve the amps tone. SoZo caps are current day replicas of the original "Mustard" caps found in old Marshall's and other vintage amps.
Zoso caps


MIDI CONTROLLED CHANNEL SWITCHING FOR AMPS.

When installed into a 2 or 3 channel amp and used with a multi effects processor and a MIDI foot midimodcontroller, your tap dancing days will be over. Without MIDI control in your amp, you would need to hit 2 buttons, one for the amp and one on the foot controller for the effects unit to get your sound. With the MIDI Mod installed in to your amp, or setup separately in its own box plugged into the amp, it will change the channels on your amp when you change patches on your effects unit, so you only hit one button on the controller to get all your sounds. And the channel changing can also be programmed like your effects unit can be. If installed into your amp, you will have a midi in socket and a small program button. Your existing channel switching midi peaveyoperation will not alter, but now you will use this to program your amp to change channels when you access you sounds from your effects unit. The amps channel changing can still be operated as it was before the Midi Mod was installed. Top pic: Midi Mod kit and the bottom pic: Midi Mod kit installed into a Peavey 5150 head. This Installation controls the channels, effects loop and an added boost volume for the lead channel.
For more see our Midi Mod page.


AB SIGNAL SWITCHING BOXES. abbox
Most AB Box configuration can easily be made up. We always use high quality parts for our boxes. Most common types are:  
A or B, Single button with 2 LEDs and battery $100
A or B & A + B, Dual button. with 3 led’s and battery (ABC box) $120
4 in, 1 out, 4 led’s, 4 button.   $250-$300
All the above boxes can be adapted to be controlled by our Midi Mod module to make them MIDI controlled signal switching boxes. See our Midi Mod page for more info
abcbox4into1


FOOT SWITCHES.

Most custom footswitch can be made up or a spare sourced for any amp missing one. Price depends on the number of switches required and any additional Mods required to the amp. $80-$250

 

PEDAL TRUE BYPASS MODS.
Some pedals are designed without a true bypass. When they are disengaged, they may still effect the tone. This problem is compounded when several none true bypass pedals are connected together. We can Mod most pedals for true bypass. See Whammy pedal with true bypass switch and LED.
whammy
PEDAL BOARD SETUPS.
We can wire up your pedal board with one of our 9v power supply’s or we can use yours.
We can custom make a 9v power daisy chain for all of your pedals. We can also custom make you signal cables for minimal pedal board clutter. See our 9 v power supply page.
Just some of the many pedal boards we have done over the years. All powered by or 9 volt power supply or one of our custom power supply.
jarrodunderpbpb3

       

 

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9 VOLT POWER SUPPLIES
9vps

We have stop normal production of the
9 volt power supplies. However we do still make them to order as we still have people asking for them. You can't keep a good power supply down! They are exactly the same inside as the production ones but with a no thrill, no paint exterior.
For more info click here.

PEDAL BOARD SETUPS
Pedalboard
If you’re after some help on setting up your pedal board with a power supply, power connecting leads, pedal position, signal leads, etc. click here
GUITAR LEDS
flashing frets
(Quick time movie)
We have been asked to do some crazy stuff over the years but I recon this one is pretty cool. Check it out. Thanks Bradley
Amp Mod Testimony
Hi Dale,
I had a play through the amp last night; it's nothing short of stunning, excellent work!
I've always liked the fact that that amp brings out the character of the guitar and now, even more so! 
I play in 2 bands and use either a Rickenbacker 330 or a '66 fender jaguar, I rarely use any kind of distortion or effect so tone is very important to me.
Its a lot cleaner (the bit of mud it had is gone) it has a lot more headroom and the individual notes in chords really ring out and you can hear them all clear as a bell (like with a good acoustic), the break up seems later and a bit different with these tubes too, I like it a lot.
Brilliant work Dale,
I will definitely come and buy one of your amps one day, I imagine that they would be even better than this one. 
Cheers mate, all the best.
Fabian

We are dealers for the following.

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celestion

Sherlock Amplifiers at
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