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Leslie 147 Amp Restoration

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  • Leslie 147 Amp Restoration

    I have just acquired another Leslie, this time a 147. This will be the third one I have restored but the first one with the amp in poor cosmetic condition. Previous ones were mid sixties models with the label across the front but this one appears to be the later gold type chassis with printed lettering.

    Has as anyone been able to clean up a chassis in this condition without losing the lettering or making it look worse?!

    This Leslie appears to have been stored in a damp environment and I will be making up a new bottom panel for it (thankfully the mouldings are fine). It has not been used for many years.

    I won’t be attempting to fire it up until the amp is recapped but wanted to ask whether it is worth changing the diodes while I have it apart and whether there are any resistors that should be changed in addition to the capacitors?

    Thanks as always
    Dave
    Attached Files
    Hammond A100, M102, XB3, XB5, X5, TTR-100
    Lowrey Heritage DSO-1, H25-3, Yamaha E70
    Farfisa Compact Duo Mk2, Vox Continental 300, Korg BX3 Mk1, Leslie 122, 145, 910
    www.drawbardave.co.uk

  • #2
    If the amp had little use, it may be possible to reform the original can capacitor. Replace resistors that are significantly out of value. Diodes are a judgment call. The early 60s silicon diodes were not as reliable, but by the time this amp was made, they were pretty good. On the other hand, diodes are cheap.

    As for the chassis, it's the plated version, and it has some oxidation on it. There's one product called Noxon 7 that might remove some oxidation without removing the silkscreening, but the silkscreen sometimes comes off. You can order a 147 label from TWG. This is a common problem in many amps left in damp locations, worse on guitar amps where there is rust under the silkscreen. There isn't much you can do about it without destroying all the artwork.
    I'm David. 'Dave' is someone else's name.

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by Drawbar Dave View Post

      I won’t be attempting to fire it up until the amp is recapped but wanted to ask whether it is worth changing the diodes while I have it apart and whether there are any resistors that should be changed in addition to the capacitors?

      Thanks as always
      Dave
      Hello,

      Serviceman trick :
      You can power up the amp between pins 3 and 4 or directly on the transformer. But remove all the tubes and insert a 100 W Bulb (filament) serial in the power line for safety.
      If the HV components are safe, the bulb will light at power on and then slowly shut off to dark when all the capacitors are fully charged.
      Do the same with tubes in place. the bulb will light a little (Dark red) due to idle current.
      In any case, if the 100W bulb bright fully, there is a problem.
      JP
      Don't forget to discharge capacitors.

      Comment


      • #4
        Thanks to both of you for your input. I’m looking forward to restoring and owning another one of these. I’m just trying to get my order with Rick at TWGH done so that it arrives at the same time as the 147.
        JP I meant I’m not going to use the Leslie for music until I have rebuilt the amp and motors!
        Hammond A100, M102, XB3, XB5, X5, TTR-100
        Lowrey Heritage DSO-1, H25-3, Yamaha E70
        Farfisa Compact Duo Mk2, Vox Continental 300, Korg BX3 Mk1, Leslie 122, 145, 910
        www.drawbardave.co.uk

        Comment


        • #5
          That looks like the one I have on my 74 145. Where was it stored?

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by NittyRanks View Post
            That looks like the one I have on my 74 145. Where was it stored?
            I don’t know but wherever it was caused the base of the cab to separate and lose some of its layers.
            Hammond A100, M102, XB3, XB5, X5, TTR-100
            Lowrey Heritage DSO-1, H25-3, Yamaha E70
            Farfisa Compact Duo Mk2, Vox Continental 300, Korg BX3 Mk1, Leslie 122, 145, 910
            www.drawbardave.co.uk

            Comment


            • #7
              Being stored in a damp location is murder on all this stuff: Leslies, guitar amps, etc...

              It's hard on speakers, particularly. I've found them with rust down inside the magnet gap.
              I'm David. 'Dave' is someone else's name.

              Comment

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