Fender faceplate adventure

GuitarJonz · December 14th, 2003, 12:04 AM

I like the BF look better, so I started looking for a BF panel for my '71 Twin. There were a few on ebay, most about $60 shipped, that seemed way higher than just a few years ago when you could get them from Parts Smart for about $32. So I kept looking, a web search says Angela has them...$22.00! I ordered one up quick before they changed their mind on that price! I took off all the Twin knobs, jack and bright switch nuts on the SF panel, then realized that the pilot light was going to be a problem. Ends up that there is a nut that holds the metal bushing on the faceplate where the jewel screws in, and that nut resides on the back of the chassis front. Now I have to pull the chassis, oh man, I didn't want to do that! Anyway, I pull the chassis, and played with that nut for a while, kind of tough to get at, and difficult to get back on. I finally got it on there, and was about to reassemble, but decided to look around.

I'm no tech, but knew enough not to touch anything. I noticed that there was 1/2 of a large metallic lock washer floating around loose inside the chassis, so I removed that before it shorted something out. The chassis had the number 82 in blue magic marker, and the name Richard Hand, Nov. 4, 1971. Imagine going through life with a name like that...hey Dick...!! Interestingly, there was also a hole drilled in the chassis where the MV pot would go, so I guess that they already had the idea for the MV, and mine was probably among the last batch to not have the MV circuit. Anyway, got it all back together, it looks great. Just FYI, if your're planning to get a BF panel, there seems to be more to it than just taking off the old and easily slapping the new one on.[img][/img]

Tom P. · December 14th, 2003, 10:23 AM

I'm no tech, but knew enough not to touch anything.

Words of wisdom. Cool adventure, glad it ended well for ya.

jazzguitar · December 14th, 2003, 01:17 PM

Yes that pilot light holding nut is a pain in the you-know-what.

Pierce · December 14th, 2003, 01:37 PM

it's really not that bad in the scheme of things..there are certainly tricks you learn doing it.
tom

JDO · December 14th, 2003, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pierce

it's really not that bad in the scheme of things..there are certainly tricks you learn doing it.
tom

feel like sharing?

jjmantele · December 20th, 2003, 10:50 PM

on my '71 Deluxe reverb to a BF I also noticed that it's good to hold the body of the pots while tightening the nuts. Otherwise they may rotate and break a wire or touch something they shouldn't. That can only be done if you pull the chassis. Yes, don't pull the chassis unless you understand that there is high voltage even when unplugged, where it is, and how to bleed it off.

http://www.geocities.com/jjsant/SFDR.html

Click above for some shots and the "story."

December 14th, 2003, 12:04 AM	#1 (permalink)
GuitarJonz Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Central Mass. Posts: 2,865 7 Photos	Fender faceplate adventure I like the BF look better, so I started looking for a BF panel for my '71 Twin. There were a few on ebay, most about $60 shipped, that seemed way higher than just a few years ago when you could get them from Parts Smart for about $32. So I kept looking, a web search says Angela has them...$22.00! I ordered one up quick before they changed their mind on that price! I took off all the Twin knobs, jack and bright switch nuts on the SF panel, then realized that the pilot light was going to be a problem. Ends up that there is a nut that holds the metal bushing on the faceplate where the jewel screws in, and that nut resides on the back of the chassis front. Now I have to pull the chassis, oh man, I didn't want to do that! Anyway, I pull the chassis, and played with that nut for a while, kind of tough to get at, and difficult to get back on. I finally got it on there, and was about to reassemble, but decided to look around. I'm no tech, but knew enough not to touch anything. I noticed that there was 1/2 of a large metallic lock washer floating around loose inside the chassis, so I removed that before it shorted something out. The chassis had the number 82 in blue magic marker, and the name Richard Hand, Nov. 4, 1971. Imagine going through life with a name like that...hey Dick...!! Interestingly, there was also a hole drilled in the chassis where the MV pot would go, so I guess that they already had the idea for the MV, and mine was probably among the last batch to not have the MV circuit. Anyway, got it all back together, it looks great. Just FYI, if your're planning to get a BF panel, there seems to be more to it than just taking off the old and easily slapping the new one on.[img][/img]

December 14th, 2003, 10:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tom P. Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Eastern Ct. Posts: 909	Re: Fender faceplate adventure I'm no tech, but knew enough not to touch anything. Words of wisdom. Cool adventure, glad it ended well for ya. __________________ Just Pickin'

December 14th, 2003, 01:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
Pierce Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: skull island Posts: 471	grasshopper... it's really not that bad in the scheme of things..there are certainly tricks you learn doing it. tom

December 20th, 2003, 10:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
jjmantele Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 851	When I changed the SF plate on my '71 Deluxe reverb to a BF I also noticed that it's good to hold the body of the pots while tightening the nuts. Otherwise they may rotate and break a wire or touch something they shouldn't. That can only be done if you pull the chassis. Yes, don't pull the chassis unless you understand that there is high voltage even when unplugged, where it is, and how to bleed it off. http://www.geocities.com/jjsant/SFDR.html Click above for some shots and the "story." __________________ JJman If it says "Vintage" on it -it isn't.

December 14th, 2003, 01:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
jazzguitar Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Germany Posts: 280	Yes that pilot light holding nut is a pain in the you-know-what.