{"id":974,"date":"2025-01-20T20:43:59","date_gmt":"2025-01-20T20:43:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blushingtruth.com\/?p=974"},"modified":"2025-01-20T20:56:55","modified_gmt":"2025-01-20T20:56:55","slug":"reviving-a-vintage-tone-monster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blushingtruth.com\/?p=974","title":{"rendered":"Reviving a Vintage Tone Monster:"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">the Legendary <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3E6qD3e\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Supro 1616T<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><br \/>After years of soul-stirring service, my <a href=\"https:\/\/tidd.ly\/3CcqqKG\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/tidd.ly\/3CcqqKG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Airline 62-9029a<\/a> (also known as the Supro 1616T and <a href=\"https:\/\/tidd.ly\/3NOuiUT\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/tidd.ly\/3NOuiUT\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gretsch G6151<\/a>) suddenly developed volume fluctuations, low output, and a non-functional tremolo.<br \/><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Troubleshooting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Initial Checks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tube tester gave all tubes a clean bill of health.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Swapped tubes with known good ones, but issues persisted.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Deep Dive<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Visually inspected the amp&#8217;s interior for broken joints, burned resistors, or obvious faults.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Performed the chopstick test to detect loose solder joints.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"474\" height=\"449\" data-attachment-id=\"984\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/blushingtruth.com\/?attachment_id=984\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline-guts.jpg?fit=756%2C716&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"756,716\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"airline-guts\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Airline 62-9029a Internal Guts point to point wiring&lt;br \/&gt;\nSupro 1616T&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;It&#8217;s a wild ride inside this amp. Wires everywhere!&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline-guts.jpg?fit=300%2C284&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline-guts.jpg?fit=474%2C449&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline-guts.jpg?resize=474%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Airline 62-9029a Internal Guts point to point wiring\" class=\"wp-image-984\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline-guts.jpg?w=756&amp;ssl=1 756w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline-guts.jpg?resize=300%2C284&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline-guts.jpg?resize=150%2C142&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">It&#8217;s a wild ride inside this amp. Wires everywhere!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Culprit?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Electrolytic Capacitors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Original electrolytic capacitors were long overdue for replacement! Before tackling that, I:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Safely drained DC voltages through preamp tube 1.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Verified zero stored voltage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Time to replace those expired capacitors and breathe new life into this vintage gem!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Electrolytic Capacitor Replacement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Out went the original can capacitor; in came individual:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3WrWuBB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">10uF\/450V<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>10uF\/450V<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/40GVeNF\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">22uF\/450V<\/a> (replacing 20uF\/450V)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>These are tucked in the corner of the amp on point to point posts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I give them added stability by using <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4g404c3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Permatex RTV<\/a> to hold them, so they don\u2019t move or rattle. The amp is a studio amp so it shouldn\u2019t be taking too much of a beating.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"474\" height=\"356\" data-attachment-id=\"978\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/blushingtruth.com\/?attachment_id=978\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline_new-caps.jpg?fit=1008%2C756&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1008,756\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Airline 62-9029a New Electrolytic Capacitors tucked in corner\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Airline 62-9029a&lt;br \/&gt;\nNew Electrolytic Capacitors safely tucked in corner&lt;br \/&gt;\nSupro 1616T Gretsch G6151&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;New Electrolytic Capacitors safely tucked in corner.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline_new-caps.jpg?fit=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline_new-caps.jpg?fit=474%2C356&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline_new-caps.jpg?resize=474%2C356&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Airline 62-9029a New Electrolytic Capacitors tucked in corner\" class=\"wp-image-978\" style=\"width:800px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline_new-caps.jpg?w=1008&amp;ssl=1 1008w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline_new-caps.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline_new-caps.jpg?resize=150%2C113&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline_new-caps.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline_new-caps.jpg?w=948&amp;ssl=1 948w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">New electrolytic capacitors safely tucked in the corner.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tremolo Circuit Repair<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Visually inspected the other resistors and capacitors in the circuit, and they all look good.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"474\" height=\"385\" data-attachment-id=\"982\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/blushingtruth.com\/?attachment_id=982\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline_tremoloresistor.jpg?fit=753%2C612&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"753,612\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"airline_tremoloresistor\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Broken resistor causing tremolo of Supro 1616T to stop working.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Broken resistor causing tremolo of Supro 1616T to stop working.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline_tremoloresistor.jpg?fit=300%2C244&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline_tremoloresistor.jpg?fit=474%2C385&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline_tremoloresistor.jpg?resize=474%2C385&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Broken resistor causing tremolo of Supro 1616T to stop working.\" class=\"wp-image-982\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline_tremoloresistor.jpg?w=753&amp;ssl=1 753w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline_tremoloresistor.jpg?resize=300%2C244&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline_tremoloresistor.jpg?resize=150%2C122&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Broken resistor causing tremolo to stop working.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Back to Life!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I prioritized only the essential repairs to maintain the amp&#8217;s original character. and tone. After the above repairs, the volume&#8217;s consistent and loud; tremolo&#8217;s working beautifully! Time to make some soul music!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Future To-Dos:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Replace older 35uF\/50V electrolytic cathode bypass cap (12AX7)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"474\" height=\"356\" data-attachment-id=\"979\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/blushingtruth.com\/?attachment_id=979\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline_charred6v6resistor.jpg?fit=1008%2C756&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1008,756\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"airline_charred6v6resistor\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;330 ohm 2 watt carbon comp cathode resistor looks like it has taken some heat over the years.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Resistor looks like it has taken some heat over the years.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline_charred6v6resistor.jpg?fit=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline_charred6v6resistor.jpg?fit=474%2C356&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline_charred6v6resistor.jpg?resize=474%2C356&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"330 ohm 2 watt carbon comp cathode resistor looks like it has taken some heat over the years.\" class=\"wp-image-979\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline_charred6v6resistor.jpg?w=1008&amp;ssl=1 1008w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline_charred6v6resistor.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline_charred6v6resistor.jpg?resize=150%2C113&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline_charred6v6resistor.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/airline_charred6v6resistor.jpg?w=948&amp;ssl=1 948w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Future to-do: Swap heat-stressed 330ohm\/2W carbon comp cathode resistor (6V6)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Patina &amp; Soul<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This vintage gem&#8217;s got character. Beautiful patina on the amp, and it smells like an old smoky bar. Full of history and expression. She&#8217;s beautiful from years of creation!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Soulful Musings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;This old amp, it&#8217;s got stories to tell.<br \/>Soulful, like Jimi&#8217;s rhythm hand.<br \/>Gritty, funky, and worn.<br \/>The slow pulsing heartbeat of the tremolo.<br \/>Deep breaths of late-night smoke, <br \/>sweat and whiskey-tinged t-shirts<br \/>untucked on the verge of distortion<br \/>Echoes of Bob, Al, <a href=\"https:\/\/citizencope.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Clarence<\/a>, and Cody<br \/>Whispering melodic secrets<br \/>to anyone who has a spare moment to listen.&#8221;<br \/><br \/><br \/><br \/><em>As an Amazon Affiliate, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 Deep Dive The Culprit? Electrolytic Capacitors Original electrolytic capacitors were long overdue for replacement! Before tackling that, I: Time to replace &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/blushingtruth.com\/?p=974\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Reviving a Vintage Tone Monster:<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":995,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[59,8,61,60],"tags":[55,17,54,58,56,57],"class_list":["post-974","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gear-music","category-music","category-poetry","category-repair","tag-amps","tag-featured","tag-gear","tag-poetry","tag-repair","tag-tube-amps"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blushingtruth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/airline-amp-for-blog-main-pic-1-scaled.jpg?fit=1920%2C2560&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blushingtruth.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/974","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blushingtruth.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blushingtruth.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blushingtruth.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blushingtruth.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=974"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/blushingtruth.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/974\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":998,"href":"https:\/\/blushingtruth.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/974\/revisions\/998"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blushingtruth.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/995"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blushingtruth.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=974"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blushingtruth.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=974"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blushingtruth.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=974"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}