LSC
774 posts
Apr 19, 2018
3:49 PM
|
Just took delivery on a '56 Danelectro Commando. In pretty good nick cosmetically but is missing the handle. Would anyone happen to know is the original handle the same as all the Fender repros out there or does it really matter?
Also, from people who have some personal knowledge of such things please, how much, if at all, would sorting the amp to make it as gig ready as possible - considering the age - affect the value?
I have a well respected vintage amp tech who I'll have do a service but the amp needs a three prong cord and a new speaker wire. Everything is original on this amp including the speaker wires except the extra long one for placing the cabs wide was shortened by just taking out the length from both ends by cutting the cable and then just twisting the ends together and wrapping with tape. As it is, the speaker lead is just long enough to open the cabs without separating more than a couple of inches making it difficult to move the cabs when setting up and tearing down. I thought while I was at it I might replace all the speaker leads since the originals are over 60 years old, very thin, and drying out. The speaker baffle is very thin particle board which I thought of replacing with plywood but perhaps that is not necessary for my purposes.
I've moved from being a full time harmonica player back to being a singer/songwriter about to release a new record so I won't be touring with a harp amp anymore, I have other amps for that, but I would like to use it on the occasional local gigs I still do.
----------
LSC
Last Edited by LSC on Apr 19, 2018 3:51 PM
|
Barley Nectar
1357 posts
Apr 19, 2018
6:07 PM
|
IMO, you will not hurt the resale buy making it electricly gig worthy and safe. Leave the baffle alone unless it's busted bad. I think the whimpy baffle is part of the sound plus a change there might affect value. How bout some pics of that Dano?
|
LSC
775 posts
Apr 20, 2018
12:34 AM
|
Barley_Nectar - That changing the baffle might alter the sound was something I considered. When I was inspecting the amp the baffle on the extension cab was loose and just looked a bit fragile. It's quite thin. Pretty quickly saw that there was probably just a screw loose from the journey. Tightened up that and the others easily. No stripping and both baffles are firm tight. All the speakers are original and look in good condition. Got to dig 8x8"!
Had a brief go with it just to be sure it was working and getting first touch on settings and volume and hearing the tone, of course. This bitch has got cut and grit for days. And she's got decent volume. Little noisy but a service will take care of at least most of that. Mish mash of tube brands but they're all vintage USA. I've got some really nice JAN NOS 6V6s, some grey plates and a few NOS preamp tubes. I'll ask the tech to call me if it needs tubes of any sort.
I'd like to use it at Antone's next month. Our guitar player already hates me. He has a '59 Bassman, among others. The Commando is an amp he always coveted....Me too.
----------
LSC
----------
LSC
|
tmf714
3143 posts
Apr 20, 2018
5:27 PM
|
If your going to replace the baffles,go NOS -but good luck finding them.
The early models -1954-WHITE-had thicker baffles.
|
bonedog569
1106 posts
Apr 23, 2018
12:33 PM
|
Do not let your tech replace parts that don't need replacing - like tone and coupling 'caps' unless absolutely necessary. Replacing all caps and resistors will make it more reliable of course- but will likely kill a lot of the tone character you are loving.
As far as 'gig- readiness' as well as 'road worthy-ness' - these amps will never hold up to the abuse that an old Fender will - or even a Gibson. As you note about the baffle, they are made of much flimsier stuff - namely - particle board.
Cool amp- Enjoy.
----------
Bone's music videos
Last Edited by bonedog569 on Apr 23, 2018 2:37 PM
|
LSC
778 posts
Apr 24, 2018
10:41 AM
|
No plans to tour with the amp. That would be a bit silly since I don't have the resources of a Keith Richards, who seems to tour with an array of vintage amps and people to take care of them. I have other tools for those jobs. Just want it to be reasonably reliable for local gigs.
----------
LSC
|
Littoral
1594 posts
Apr 24, 2018
12:19 PM
|
I appreciate the suggestion to leave the baffle alone. It's way too easy to over structure cabinets. It's not a brick house -it's supposed to breathe.
|
