/ Register

  1. Win a Broadcaster or one of 3 Teles! The annual Supporting Member Giveaway is on. To enter Click Here. To see all the prizes and full details Click Here. To view the thread about the giveaway Click Here.

Vibrato oscillator supplier??

Discussion in 'Glowing Bottle Tube Amp Forum' started by WJBallantyne, Feb 14, 2014.

  1. Feb 14, 2014 #1
    WJBallantyne

    WJBallantyne TDPRI Member

    Posts:
    54
    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2013
    Location:
    Saskatchewan
    Hello all, I've a question for you veteran soldermasters out there... I am in need of a replacement photocell/oscillator for my 1971 Twin's "vibrato" circuit, the little black beetle with a lamp in it. There's all kinds of people on the net saying they replaced theirs, but nowhere to actually BUY the things. If someone could point me to a supplier of these things I'd appreciate it.
     
  2. Feb 14, 2014 #2
    Cleeve

    Cleeve Tele-Holic

    Age:
    55
    Posts:
    995
    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2009
    Location:
    Cincinnati, Ohio
  3. Feb 14, 2014 #3
    WJBallantyne

    WJBallantyne TDPRI Member

    Posts:
    54
    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2013
    Location:
    Saskatchewan
    Thanks!
     
  4. Feb 14, 2014 #4
    vibrasonic

    vibrasonic Tele-Afflicted

    Posts:
    1,495
    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2011
    Location:
    sault ste marie canada
  5. Feb 17, 2014 #5
    Cleeve

    Cleeve Tele-Holic

    Age:
    55
    Posts:
    995
    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2009
    Location:
    Cincinnati, Ohio
  6. Feb 17, 2014 #6
    Andy B

    Andy B Friend of Leo's Silver Supporter

    Posts:
    2,427
    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2003
    Location:
    Castle Rock, Colorado
    CE Distributing AKA Antique Electronics Supply
     
  7. Feb 17, 2014 #7
    Telenut62

    Telenut62 Poster Extraordinaire

    Age:
    60
    Posts:
    5,592
    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2008
    Location:
    Eugowra, Australia
    Hmmm $26......If the OC failure is with the neon bulb, just cut the shrink wrap open, replace the bulb with a LED and re-shrink with the original photocell.
     
  8. Feb 17, 2014 #8
    jimash

    jimash Friend of Leo's

    Posts:
    2,673
    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2013
    Location:
    NJ
    Oh, I just saw the words "vibrato oscillator " and it sent my mind into the gutter, nevermind.
     
  9. Feb 17, 2014 #9
    WJBallantyne

    WJBallantyne TDPRI Member

    Posts:
    54
    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2013
    Location:
    Saskatchewan
    Thanks y'all I got hold of one. Now to wait a month...
     
  10. Feb 19, 2014 #10
    telex76

    telex76 Doctor of Teleocity Ad Free Member

    Age:
    69
    Posts:
    16,123
    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2006
    Location:
    Fort Worth,Tx.
    If theres a month wait, you got it from the wrong place.
     
  11. Feb 19, 2014 #11
    Keyser Soze

    Keyser Soze Tele-Holic

    Posts:
    948
    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2009
    Location:
    Johnson City, TN
    Maybe not.

    He doesn't tell us exactly where in Saskatchewan he lives.

    Whole lotta nothing in some parts ups there.
     
  12. Feb 19, 2014 #12
    WJBallantyne

    WJBallantyne TDPRI Member

    Posts:
    54
    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2013
    Location:
    Saskatchewan
    True dat. I'm pretty far south in SK... When I order anything from the States it takes about 3-4 weeks on average.
     
  13. Feb 20, 2014 #13
    CoolBlueGlow

    CoolBlueGlow Tele-Afflicted

    Posts:
    1,536
    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2011
    Location:
    Arkansas
    Why not just build it yourself?

    A neon lamp, a photocell, a piece of shrink tubing. They are not rocket engines. :) Just about two dollar's worth of goods, and ten minutes to assemble and test.
     
  14. Feb 21, 2014 #14
    Commodore 64

    Commodore 64 Friend of Leo's

    Age:
    45
    Posts:
    4,235
    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2010
    Location:
    Kent, OH
    He'd still probably have to wait 3-4 weeks for the parts. ;)
     
  15. Feb 21, 2014 #15
    CoolBlueGlow

    CoolBlueGlow Tele-Afflicted

    Posts:
    1,536
    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2011
    Location:
    Arkansas
    Why "order" anything? Neon lamps are easily available at just about any hardware store. Just buy a lighted wall switch or old fashioned plug in night light. They both have neon lamps in them.

    Photocells are easily available too. You can easily harvest one from an automatic nightlight.

    Yard sales, flea markets and junktique shops are packed with these kinds of castoff technologies, usually for really cheap.
     
  16. Feb 21, 2014 #16
    steveneddy

    steveneddy Tele-Meister

    Posts:
    235
    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2012
    Location:
    Texas
    My answer, too!

    Great place - good coverage.
     
  17. Feb 24, 2014 #17
    WJBallantyne

    WJBallantyne TDPRI Member

    Posts:
    54
    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2013
    Location:
    Saskatchewan
    I have a replacement on the way, so no need to build (and thanks for the reccomendations everybody). I'm a big fan of doing work/improvising solutions on your own, and very often do, but in this case I'd rather be able to say it has the "proper replacement part" in it, for the sake of function and resale value.
     
  18. Feb 25, 2014 #18
    CoolBlueGlow

    CoolBlueGlow Tele-Afflicted

    Posts:
    1,536
    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2011
    Location:
    Arkansas
    Yeah, there is that. :)
     
IMPORTANT: Treat everyone here with respect, no matter how difficult!
No sex, drug, political, religion or hate discussion permitted here.