Quick Questions Acoustic 370 head

[cwmont]

I'm thinking of picking up a 370 head. The owner says that the amp works and sounds good. All the knobs, sliders and switches appear to be in good shape. I'm planning on pulling the chassis before I make a decision and have a look see.

My question is this? From those of you who service these units, any problem getting parts for these 370's? Are there any areas in particular where a visual inspection might find something waiting to happen? IE filter caps, resistors, connectors and the like.

I realize this is a 30+ year old amp and anything can happen and I'm going to have it benched out and brought up to snuff before I gig with it anyway if I decide to buy it.

Any thoughts?

TIA

[Enzo]

Circuits are circuits, there is no reason the thing won't run another 30 years. Look for spooge coming out of cap vent holes - I don't recall seeing it on Acoustics of the era, but they are old. Parts? Electronic components are generic. A transformer would be tough. I recently replaced the EQ sliders on a 370. Didn't find any to fit he pc board, so I got rid of the board and built up the assembly right on the frame. Not hard. Had to change the slider knobs because no one made sliders with long enough actuators. I wasn't going to pay top dollar for someone's antique spares.

If it works well, then it works well, there is no way to tell that some transistor is "going to blow u next week."

[cwmont]

Originally Posted by Enzo

Circuits are circuits, there is no reason the thing won't run another 30 years. Look for spooge coming out of cap vent holes - I don't recall seeing it on Acoustics of the era, but they are old. Parts? Electronic components are generic. A transformer would be tough. I recently replaced the EQ sliders on a 370. Didn't find any to fit he pc board, so I got rid of the board and built up the assembly right on the frame. Not hard. Had to change the slider knobs because no one made sliders with long enough actuators. I wasn't going to pay top dollar for someone's antique spares.

If it works well, then it works well, there is no way to tell that some transistor is "going to blow u next week."

Thanks Enzo. Yea I already know that the sliders are a tough one. Agreed on the antique spares. As long as you're going to gig with it and not just keep it as a collector piece, why pay top dollar.

I remember from owning one years ago that the 370's and most Acoustics in general were always pretty tough amps. I was going to take a look at all the caps and check any resistors in there for discoloration or burning as well as any molex or other connectors in there too. I'm thinking it might not be a bad idea to re-do the thermal compound on the output tranistors and heat sink too.

On a 30+ year old amp you really don't have any way to know if somethings going to go belly up. So you pays your money and takes your chances.

[cwmont]

Originally Posted by cwmont

Thanks Enzo. Yea I already know that the sliders are a tough one. Agreed on the antique spares. As long as you're going to gig with it and not just keep it as a collector piece, why pay top dollar.

I remember from owning one years ago that the 370's and most Acoustics in general were always pretty tough amps. I was going to take a look at all the caps and check any resistors in there for discoloration or burning as well as any molex or other connectors in there too. I'm thinking it might not be a bad idea to re-do the thermal compound on the output tranistors and heat sink too.

On a 30+ year old amp you really don't have any way to know if somethings going to go belly up. So you pays your money and takes your chances.

Ended up getting the 370. Chasis very clean and appears to be 100% original. Sliders very good and everything seems to work as it should. Sounds good running through an ols SUNN 215 SPL cabinet I have here. I'm going to have the 370 looked over just to make sure but so far it seems good.

[Enzo]

If it works, it works. ENjoy.