Gretsch 6161 Amplifier Service

Lovelly Gretsch 6161 amp in for a service - testLovelly Gretsch 6161 amp in for a service – testDSC_9379DSC_9424DSC_9425DSC_9426DSC_9429DSC_9427DSC_9430DSC_9431DSC_9432DSC_9433DSC_9434DSC_9435DSC_9436DSC_9437All tubes out for a test.. all tested good!All tubes out for a test.. all tested good!Small tweeter!Small tweeter!Well time to take of the panel covering the chassis guts...Well time to take of the panel covering the chassis guts…And look what we have in here!And look what we have in here!Not expecting that!Not expecting that!DSC_9444DSC_9445DSC_9457TweeterTweeterWow.. rats nest style!Wow.. rats nest style!DSC_9447One cap unwinding!One cap unwinding!Only 2 pin plug so earth added will put a 3 cord lead in there before it goes to the customerOnly 2 pin plug so earth added will put a 3 cord lead in there before it goes to the customerEarth lead addedEarth lead addedAll cleaned and up and running again! but trem needs some workAll cleaned and up and running again! but trem needs some workDSC_9459Board out to fix the tremoloBoard out to fix the tremoloTremolo circuit located on the other side of the chassis from the tube it uses!Tremolo circuit located on the other side of the chassis from the tube it uses!all 3 caps connected to the same tab.. they needed to be in series but one was in parallel and not connected to the gate!all 3 caps connected to the same tab.. they needed to be in series but one was in parallel and not connected to the gate!Corrected and she tremoloed again!Corrected and she tremoloed again!Preparing to attach the new mains cable, negative to the fuse..Preparing to attach the new mains cable, negative to the fuse..Positive... noting where the input mains cable is connected straight to a spare pin on the rectifier tube then onto the switch.Positive… noting where the input mains cable is connected straight to a spare pin on the rectifier tube then onto the switch.All connected and tested outAll connected and tested outThere can rest in peace there is an earth connected properly!There can rest in peace there is an earth connected properly!Tubes looking nice and clean ;-)Tubes looking nice and clean 😉All good to go! Love this amp!All good to go! Love this amp!Good to go!Good to go! Lovely 1958 6161 Gretsch amplifier, in for a check up and new 3 prong lead. Generally all good but needed the trem fixing. Unusual issue as it looked like there was a factory error as the tremolo could never have worked as it was. All good now. This is an amazing bit of kit only new component in it’s 56 years is one small electrolytic capacitor the rest is original and sounds great!

Also found a Cigar in her.. from Havana… could the amp have been used for smuggling them into the USA?

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