Looking for 1965 Supro Handle Replacemnet

[nickb]

Nice. As they say in these parts "Proper Job".

[52 Bill]

Thanks for the update. Nice job!

I think that if you look for them, the mounting hardware parts are probably available as well. I personally like to use as much of the old parts as possible to keep things looking original.

[Tom Phillips]

… I think that if you look for them, the mounting hardware parts are probably available as well…

Yes. In fact I have some NOS and some used end cap hardware that appears to be identical to the originals. Many of the tube era Tektronix scopes used the same handle hardware too.

…I personally like to use as much of the old parts as possible to keep things looking original.

Agree. If I were to shotgun replace too much then the result just doesn’t look right. In this case I would have used the original hardware even if new hardware came with the new handle.

The handle fix was only a small part of the revival effort for this Supro Royal Reverb.

Cheers,
Tom

[rockinrob]

I was excited to tell you that "hardware elf" has the original handles, but it looks like they no longer stock them!

[Li’l Andy]

To close out this thread, attached is a photo of the installed replacement handle from the Ohio Travel Bag site that 52 Bill recommended. The replacement was their P/N L-176SM-BLK. It was supplied, as shown in the second photo, with hardware loops but did not include end cap hardware. I used the cleaned up original end caps which was the preferred approach for the job anyway. This turned out to be a good and proper looking handle replacement for this amp as well as a significant upgrade. Valco apparently used the similar shaped plastic handle for only a very short time and the modern Supro branded amps use a different style handle with a completely different mounting hardware footprint. Additionally, there were no suitable handles available from the existing amp parts suppliers so this turned out to be a good solution.
Thanks again 52 Bill.
Cheers,
Tom
[ATTACH=CONFIG]41900[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]41899[/ATTACH]

This is a fantastic restoration job, Tom! I have the exact same amp with the same issue: the plastic cracked and the handle is useless.

I notice in the previous photos, you were somehow able to open the silver mounting hardware (i.e. the brackets that hold the screws to the cabinet). How did you open them? Do they simply pop off?

[Tom Phillips]

...I notice in the previous photos, you were somehow able to open the silver mounting hardware (i.e. the brackets that hold the screws to the cabinet). How did you open them? Do they simply pop off?

Hi Li’l Andy,
I gently pried the caps off of the base of the end cap that is screwed to the cabinet. Pry under the side that is closest to the handle. The cap should be rotated up and away from the handle. It does not pop straight up.
I hope that makes sense,
Tom

[Tom Phillips]

Ohio Travel Bag still carries the handle I used during my Supro Amp restoration. You can see the handle at https://ohiotravelbag.com/search?q=L...K&type=product
The 5 3/4" version was the correct fit for the Supro Royal Reverb that I worked on. I mention this because there are other sizes of the handle available.
Cheers,
Tom

[Li’l Andy]

I just did the same thing and it worked!

I’m trying to remove the handle, mounting brackets, and screws entirely. While it’s nice to have the original pieces, the plastic of the handle and the metal brackets, they rattle around on top of the cabinet and make a huge noise.

Anytime I record or play a show, the rattle is too loud. And stuffing foam or a rag around it doesn’t fully dampen it.

One of the nuts that secures the screws to the wooden cabinet and mounting hardware is stuck — perhaps rusted. And it’s tricky, tight spot to work in; you can’t get a wrench in there to adjust the nut.

Which begs the question: when you removed the old handle and installed your replacement, did you have the aluminum box that contains all the wiring completely removed to get access to the nuts and bolts of the handle?

Thank you kindly for your help,
Andy

Hi Li’l Andy,
I gently pried the caps off of the base of the end cap that is screwed to the cabinet. Pry under the side that is closest to the handle. The cap should be rotated up and away from the handle. It does not pop straight up.
I hope that makes sense,
Tom

[Tom Phillips]

...I'm trying to remove the handle, mounting brackets, and screws entirely. While it's nice to have the original pieces, the plastic of the handle and the metal brackets, they rattle around on top of the cabinet and make a huge noise.
Anytime I record or play a show, the rattle is too loud...

The new leather handle that I installed using the original brackets did not rattle. The leather is soft and held the metal pieces firmly when the handle was pushed down in the non-lifting position. The owner subsequently used the amp for recording and both the owner and the recording engineer praised the amp.

...when you removed the old handle and installed your replacement, did you have the aluminum box that contains all the wiring completely removed to get access to the nuts and bolts of the handle?...

Yes. I had the preamp chassis completely removed from the cabinet.