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So, I've had my share of dumb-ass moments before, but this one was a new one.
You ever get done with the work you know needs to get done on a job to get it ready for final testing, and realize you did this when you went to plug it in?
Yeah, I have no excuse. For smaller diameter replacement power chords that we use for amps that need it, we use IEC cables and cut of the IEC molding off the end. Strip off a length of the outer jacket to expose the 3 conductors.
bing-bang-boom, you get the idea... Done it hundreds of times. But this day, the damnedest thing happened; I had that NEMA 3-prong pluge end right in front of my face and cut it off like I knew what I was doing. Didn't give it a second thought and went on and rewired the entire mains wiring for modern, best practices. So after all that was done (and some other standard maintenance work), I grabbed the cord to plug it in and power up, and I saw this. ^^
I very clearly remember immediately thinking "NOOOOOOOOO!!"
It was such a drag because I totally nailed every thing else. I mean, it was one of those times when the wiring goes so smooth. All the cuts are right, solder goes on like a breeze, and it looks great. And I gotta' install another friggin 3-cond AC cord again.
Luckily, after the practice round, it went really quickly and my boss was a good sport about it. (but that's probably because I was there a few years ago when he did the same thing
)
I think I was distracted by the condition the '66-67 deluxe I was working on. It was so remarkable, it was like the entire amp was NOS. When I went to pull the chassis, I got the indication that it had never been opened or disassembled since the day it was all put together. It was newly acquired by a regular customer who brought it in recently for service. I've less than a handful of amps might be in this class. Where to they store these for 60 years, the moon?
Anyways, I love what I do, but as far as being star struck at an amp, the thrill is gone in a lot of ways. Sure I like Fenders. I like a lot of amps.
So, when one comes in that is quite rare, in special condition, it's a great experience to work on it.
You ever get done with the work you know needs to get done on a job to get it ready for final testing, and realize you did this when you went to plug it in?
Yeah, I have no excuse. For smaller diameter replacement power chords that we use for amps that need it, we use IEC cables and cut of the IEC molding off the end. Strip off a length of the outer jacket to expose the 3 conductors.
bing-bang-boom, you get the idea... Done it hundreds of times. But this day, the damnedest thing happened; I had that NEMA 3-prong pluge end right in front of my face and cut it off like I knew what I was doing. Didn't give it a second thought and went on and rewired the entire mains wiring for modern, best practices. So after all that was done (and some other standard maintenance work), I grabbed the cord to plug it in and power up, and I saw this. ^^
I very clearly remember immediately thinking "NOOOOOOOOO!!"
It was such a drag because I totally nailed every thing else. I mean, it was one of those times when the wiring goes so smooth. All the cuts are right, solder goes on like a breeze, and it looks great. And I gotta' install another friggin 3-cond AC cord again.
Luckily, after the practice round, it went really quickly and my boss was a good sport about it. (but that's probably because I was there a few years ago when he did the same thing
) I think I was distracted by the condition the '66-67 deluxe I was working on. It was so remarkable, it was like the entire amp was NOS. When I went to pull the chassis, I got the indication that it had never been opened or disassembled since the day it was all put together. It was newly acquired by a regular customer who brought it in recently for service. I've less than a handful of amps might be in this class. Where to they store these for 60 years, the moon?
Anyways, I love what I do, but as far as being star struck at an amp, the thrill is gone in a lot of ways. Sure I like Fenders. I like a lot of amps.
So, when one comes in that is quite rare, in special condition, it's a great experience to work on it.
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