Tube PA-to-guitar amp conversion?

6942 · June 15th, 2008, 02:43 PM

Hello people!!
I picked up a nice looking & working Webster tube PA amp at a yard sale today for $20.
Could a tube PA amp be converted into a nice sounding guitar amplifier?
It has connections on the rear panel for a 4, 8, or 16 ohm speaker.
Also has two 6V6 output tubes....really nice shape considering its age!?
Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!
THANKS!!!

Steve

Bill Hullett · June 15th, 2008, 02:51 PM

I knew guys in the 60's that did that, with varying results....I sure would be trying if it were me!!!!!
Bill Hullett

graphs · June 15th, 2008, 03:38 PM

i know a few people that use tube PA heads for guitar and bass. they say it colours the sound less and is way cheaper. for $20 i don't think you can go wrong...

6x47 · June 15th, 2008, 09:35 PM

I have a Garnet Session Man PA amp that worked well as a jazz amp but lately it sounds out of tune so I suppose the caps have finally died. Things got about 6 twist locks and a bucket of electrolytics so I'm more inclined to build it into a regular guitar head rather than restoring it.

But it was OK before it started showing it's age.

Radspin · June 15th, 2008, 09:47 PM

I've used a Bogen Challenger PA head as a guitar amp and it sounded great. I don't remember the model number (CHR-something) but it was a lower-powered amp--maybe about 15 watts--with two oddball output tubes. I used it stock--all I had to do was get a phone plug adapter for one of the screw-on-type mike inputs.

Rizo · June 15th, 2008, 10:02 PM

Quote:

I've used a Bogen Challenger PA head as a guitar amp and it sounded great. I don't remember the model number (CHR-something) but it was a lower-powered amp--maybe about 15 watts--with two oddball output tubes. I used it stock--all I had to do was get a phone plug adapter for one of the screw-on-type mike inputs.

I knew a guy that did that. It sounded pretty dang good! It was really clean though so I thought it would be better suited to bass. He didn't mind though and just ran a pedal in front of it, and then redid the pre-amp and turned it into a metal monster amp (Ugghh...)

Try it with an adapter (unless it has a 1/4" jack) like Radspin said and see how it sounds!

6942 · June 15th, 2008, 10:03 PM

Anyone use a variac to power up an old tube amp?
I have my late father's STACO .

Steve

Rizo · June 15th, 2008, 10:04 PM

Just wanted to add, any vintage tube amp in decent shape for $20 is a sweet score in my book!

Let's see some pics!

Dacious · June 15th, 2008, 11:59 PM

Make sure the caps have no voltage, and then measure them for DC resistance with your meter on thousands of ohms range. If the caps don't measure at least 15K each section, they're probably shot and there is no point trying to reform them.

Even if they measure OK, if you notice unusual harmonics and tones going flat, replace. I'd wire tag strips and use discrete resistors in place of twist-lock cans if necessary, or JJ does make multi-section cans as do some others.

Scott S · June 16th, 2008, 12:58 AM

A lot of harp players are doing the PA-to-amp thing, too. I think $20 is a great price, even if the chassis is the only part you end up reusing!

- Scott

6942 · June 16th, 2008, 08:45 AM

I have a friend from work coming over tonight to check the amp out.
He used to own a Radio/TV repair shop in Jamaica (no Ghanga jokes please).
He says PA amps & guitars were standard fare down there, for those who couldn't afford Fenders or other "guitar" amps.

Steve

June 15th, 2008, 02:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
6942 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Western Maryland Posts: 1,572	Tube PA-to-guitar amp conversion? Hello people!! I picked up a nice looking & working Webster tube PA amp at a yard sale today for $20. Could a tube PA amp be converted into a nice sounding guitar amplifier? It has connections on the rear panel for a 4, 8, or 16 ohm speaker. Also has two 6V6 output tubes....really nice shape considering its age!? Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! THANKS!!! Steve

June 15th, 2008, 02:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
Bill Hullett Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Nashville Tn. Posts: 1,211	Yes.... I knew guys in the 60's that did that, with varying results....I sure would be trying if it were me!!!!! Bill Hullett

June 15th, 2008, 10:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
Rizo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Athens, OH Posts: 1,138	Just wanted to add, any vintage tube amp in decent shape for $20 is a sweet score in my book! Let's see some pics! __________________ "You say you want to play country, but you're in a punk rock band."

June 15th, 2008, 11:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
Dacious Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Godzone Posts: 2,612 35 Photos	Make sure the caps have no voltage, and then measure them for DC resistance with your meter on thousands of ohms range. If the caps don't measure at least 15K each section, they're probably shot and there is no point trying to reform them. Even if they measure OK, if you notice unusual harmonics and tones going flat, replace. I'd wire tag strips and use discrete resistors in place of twist-lock cans if necessary, or JJ does make multi-section cans as do some others. __________________ My other Telecaster is a Thinline The Tele Bible, Ch 1, v 10 Love thy Telecaster, covet not thy neighbour's Strat!

June 15th, 2008, 03:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
graphs Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 920	i know a few people that use tube PA heads for guitar and bass. they say it colours the sound less and is way cheaper. for $20 i don't think you can go wrong...

June 15th, 2008, 09:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
6x47 Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Northern ON - Northern MN Age: 64 Posts: 493	I have a Garnet Session Man PA amp that worked well as a jazz amp but lately it sounds out of tune so I suppose the caps have finally died. Things got about 6 twist locks and a bucket of electrolytics so I'm more inclined to build it into a regular guitar head rather than restoring it. But it was OK before it started showing it's age.

June 15th, 2008, 09:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
Radspin Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: East Northport, NY Age: 53 Posts: 236	I've used a Bogen Challenger PA head as a guitar amp and it sounded great. I don't remember the model number (CHR-something) but it was a lower-powered amp--maybe about 15 watts--with two oddball output tubes. I used it stock--all I had to do was get a phone plug adapter for one of the screw-on-type mike inputs.

June 15th, 2008, 10:03 PM	#7 (permalink)
6942 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Western Maryland Posts: 1,572	Anyone use a variac to power up an old tube amp? I have my late father's STACO . Steve

June 16th, 2008, 12:58 AM	#10 (permalink)
Scott S Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: SW CR IA US NA PE Age: 28 Posts: 1,685	A lot of harp players are doing the PA-to-amp thing, too. I think $20 is a great price, even if the chassis is the only part you end up reusing! - Scott

June 16th, 2008, 08:45 AM	#11 (permalink)
6942 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Western Maryland Posts: 1,572	I have a friend from work coming over tonight to check the amp out. He used to own a Radio/TV repair shop in Jamaica (no Ghanga jokes please). He says PA amps & guitars were standard fare down there, for those who couldn't afford Fenders or other "guitar" amps. Steve