Tag Archives: featured

Gear, Music, Poetry, Repair

Reviving a Vintage Tone Monster:

the Legendary Supro 1616T


After years of soul-stirring service, my Airline 62-9029a (also known as the Supro 1616T and Gretsch G6151) suddenly developed volume fluctuations, low output, and a non-functional tremolo.

Troubleshooting

Initial Checks

  • Tube tester gave all tubes a clean bill of health.
  • Swapped tubes with known good ones, but issues persisted.

Deep Dive

  • Visually inspected the amp’s interior for broken joints, burned resistors, or obvious faults.
  • Performed the chopstick test to detect loose solder joints.
Airline 62-9029a Internal Guts point to point wiring
It’s a wild ride inside this amp. Wires everywhere!

The Culprit?

Electrolytic Capacitors

Original electrolytic capacitors were long overdue for replacement! Before tackling that, I:

  • Safely drained DC voltages through preamp tube 1.
  • Verified zero stored voltage.

Time to replace those expired capacitors and breathe new life into this vintage gem!

Electrolytic Capacitor Replacement

Out went the original can capacitor; in came individual:

  • 10uF/450V
  • 10uF/450V
  • 22uF/450V (replacing 20uF/450V)
  • These are tucked in the corner of the amp on point to point posts.
  • I give them added stability by using Permatex RTV to hold them, so they don’t move or rattle. The amp is a studio amp so it shouldn’t be taking too much of a beating.
Airline 62-9029a New Electrolytic Capacitors tucked in corner
New electrolytic capacitors safely tucked in the corner.

Tremolo Circuit Repair

  • The voltage dropping 6.8K resistor (at 20uf/450 capacitor) was charred and broken, showing infinite resistance. Replaced with 1W metal film 6.8K resistor.
  • Visually inspected the other resistors and capacitors in the circuit, and they all look good.
Broken resistor causing tremolo of Supro 1616T to stop working.
Broken resistor causing tremolo to stop working.

Back to Life!

I prioritized only the essential repairs to maintain the amp’s original character. and tone. After the above repairs, the volume’s consistent and loud; tremolo’s working beautifully! Time to make some soul music!

Future To-Dos:

  • Replace older 35uF/50V electrolytic cathode bypass cap (12AX7)
  • The 330 ohm 2 watt cathode resistor (6v6) looks like it has taken some heat over the years. It measures 356 ohms and is working fine, but should be replaced at some point for longevity.
330 ohm 2 watt carbon comp cathode resistor looks like it has taken some heat over the years.
Future to-do: Swap heat-stressed 330ohm/2W carbon comp cathode resistor (6V6)

Patina & Soul

This vintage gem’s got character. Beautiful patina on the amp, and it smells like an old smoky bar. Full of history and expression. She’s beautiful from years of creation!

Soulful Musings

“This old amp, it’s got stories to tell.
Soulful, like Jimi’s rhythm hand.
Gritty, funky, and worn.
The slow pulsing heartbeat of the tremolo.
Deep breaths of late-night smoke,
sweat and whiskey-tinged t-shirts
untucked on the verge of distortion
Echoes of Bob, Al, Clarence, and Cody
Whispering melodic secrets
to anyone who has a spare moment to listen.”



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Fashion, Get the Look, Style

Mixed Prints &
A Pop of Color

Keeping warm and colorful at the water shed.

After a few frigid winters in New York, it was time to update my winter regalia. This cardigan by Ralph Lauren (Denim & Supply) is cozy with an amazing shawl collar and colorful Navajo pattern.  Perfect for intimate fireside conversations and warm enough for brisk evening walks to the market. The more I wear it, the more classic it becomes. Mixing Prints, a pop of colorRalph Lauren Denim & Supply Sweater | Slouchy Hat | Nike Air Force 1 | Warby Parker Spectacles

2-20-2014 Look Blushing Truth

*photo by CDC*
Canon 5D MK II
Vivitar Series 1 — 28mm  — F1.9

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Equipment, Fitness, Gear

Mark Bell Slingshot Review: Increase Strength and Improve Form

I first started using the Mark Bell Slingshot to rehab a nagging shoulder injury. It allowed me to bench press and do dips while my shoulder healed. Low weight, low reps, but with minimal to no pain. This was amazing!

I started lifting a little bit heavier after my shoulder healed, and I noticed my bench press form had gotten better. My elbows flared less and my shoulders would not turn over when the weight got heavy. Unexpected surprise that my 1 rep max increased.

Now I use the Slingshot all the time and highly recommend it to people looking for help with their bench press, dips, and push ups. I LOVE IT!

I have a long way to go on my bench press journey, but I think the Slingshot will help PUSH me to my goals. Thanks Mark Bell!

Mark Bell Slingshot

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Food, Travel

Maui, Morimoto, Malasadas

Morimoto at the Andaz on Maui is known for its upscale Japanese cuisine. After your meal, make sure to leave room for dessert. The malasadas here are perfect. Fluffy and moist on the inside, lightly fried on the outside, and evenly coated with sugar. Three exquisite dipping sauces, apple banana cheesecake, sake caramel, and Waialua chocolate, transform the dessert to a black tie event, even though when you look down, you’re still wearing shorts and flip flops.

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Travel

Horseback Riding at Garrod Farms: A Perfect Weekend Escape

Chi Diem Chau at Garrod Stables. Saratoga, California.
Rider with Jetta.
Saratoga, California.

On a perfect Sunday afternoon, our travels brought us to the Garrod Farms Stables for horseback riding through the Saratoga Foothills. For an hour, our horses (affectionately named Jetta and Lakota) walked and trotted their way through the Fremont Older Open Space Preserve, giving us breathtaking views of the Santa Clara Valley and San Francisco Bay. Soaring hawks, the silence of the wind against clapping hooves, and history lessons on the ways of the Ohlone Indians had us feeling in ancient times. Truly magical!

Connected to the Garrod Farms Stables is the Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards. The vineyard is certified organic and expertly uses sustainable winegrowing practices to create a truly world class wine. In the tasting room, all of our senses were schooled on the luscious differences of the various wines. These are some of the best wines in the world. Try some of our favorites here! Hurry they sell out fast!

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Fashion, Style

The New Essential:
3.1 PHILLIP LIM
LEATHER JACKET

Phillip Lim Fall 2013 Fashion ShowA leather jacket has always been on my wardrobe essentials list, but finding the one (that will end my search once and for all),  has been quite the challenge. The ones I love are way over my budget and the more affordable options just aren’t good enough. The changing season offers opportunities to set sale alerts on such pieces, and while prices do drop, it’s never been tempting enough for me to make the move. eBay to the rescue! I’ve found many gems on eBay and this one tops my list of major scores. It’s still a splurge piece, but well worth the investment. The leather is buttery soft and the silhouette is the perfect harmony of edgy and just a little whimsical thanks to the subtle peplum details. Spring is already on my mind, providing inspiration for the outfit below. Cool, yet unbelievably comfortable.Spring-Outfit-Ideas

3.1 Phillip Lim leather jacket | Rachel Comey denim pants | Topshop Shell Top | Tibi Bee Heel Mules

Fashion, Music, Style

2014 Grammys
Pharrell Williams Hat
Albert Einstein Hair

I got MAD LOVE for Pharrell Williams. That’s my dude until my last breath. But that hat at the 2014 Grammy Awards? Whoa.
But hold on. Let’s dig a little deeper.
Pharrell explained “It’s a Vivienne Westwood Buffalo hat from when she was with Malcolm McLaren…It’s not vintage — I would’ve been really stylin’ if I had one from the ’80s.”
Who is Malcolm McLaren you ask? He was a British musician/artist famous in hip hop history for the smash “Buffalo Gals” in the 80’s. On Malcolm’s passing in 2010, Vogue Italia, proclaimed him, “The father of punk rock…We will all miss the irony of a genius of costume and entertainment. ”
Don’t be surprised when all the cool kids are rocking these Buffalo Hats. Remember Trucker Hats? It’s hard to question the fashion choices of Pharrell, so I won’t. I’m more concerned about what sounds and sights are in Pharrell’s head and less concerned about what’s on it. Kind of like Albert Einstein’s hair. Yes, I just compared Pharrell’s Buffalo hat to Albert Einstein’s hair!
Albert-Einstein Pharrell Book and Hat

Rizzoli at ShopStyle