help on old phono amp to guitar

[doin'none2good]

hey folks! new member and diy neophyte, with a question: i just acquired an old meissner phono/tuner amp (model 9-1160) from the early '50s and want to use it as a guitar amp head. any mods necessary? thanks!

[Regis]

What tube compliment? SE or push pull?

Have a look at this.

[doin'none2good]

regarding your response

thanks for the inquiry!
this amp runs 2-6sl7gt, 2-6v6gt, and a 5y3gt rectifier...in what configuration, that i don't know. --larry

[Glasgow]

Personally, I would start with replacing all the electrolytic capacitors in the amp as they are certainly passed their lifetime. If you don't know what these are, they will look like little cardboard cylinders in this amp, unless they have been replaced at a later date, in which they will look more like plastic cylinders. Make sure to use the same or higher voltage rating on these caps and be sure to install them with the positive side on the same side as the old ones.

Once you have done that, you may need to install a phone jack for your guitar, but after that, I wouldn't do anything else to it until you have had some quality time playing through it stock. You may be surprised by how good it can sound (unless you are strictly into heavy distortion).

After a while, decide what you might like to improve about the sound of the amp and post a more specific question to the forum.

Good luck!
BrianB

[doin'none2good]

your reply

thanks brian! i haven't had the chance yet to try it out with a guitar...mine is on consignment at a local music store (trying to acquire something better!)
i have read the amp conversion article by joe jasniewski, and i understand about safely discharging the capacitors, and using caution. i am stopped regarding part substitution and values to have a more 'guitar-ranged' tone stack. i guess first things first, though - a three-prong grounded cord.
i wanted to go this route because tube guitar amps are so dadburned expensive...i remember reading somewhere about guys like duane eddy playing through old phono amps, etc., so i thought-what the hey? anyway, thanks again! --larry

[Glasgow]

One of my first projects started with an old Califone portable record player. That thing was wonderful and most of the stuff I did to it only made it less so but, I was learning (still am) and it was a great project to work on.
You will see this over and over again on this site, but you should really read 'The Utlimate Tone' by Kevin O'Connor. It really helps you understand alot about tube guitar amps in a fairly straight-forward way.
I got it about 5 or 6 or so years ago and still turn to it from time-to-time for a refresher.

BrianB

[Regis]

You might want to look at some of the early Fender Tweed amps, that had tube configurations like your amp.

The FFG is a good place for that.

[doin'none2good]

thanks to you both

finally got the chance to check in...thanks for the kindly suggestions! got a guitar to use, so i'm going to see (hear?) what's what, and take it from there.