JTM 45 ‘65 familiar to anyone?

[Dblgun]

The resistors are very interesting, particularly the V1 plate 100k's. They are colored like carbon comps but shaped like carbon film. I've never seen any like them before but honestly haven't seen many 65 JTM45's.

 

[Metroman]

George did a pretty accurate job of building my JTM45 repro. Mine also has all NOS glass

 

[neikeel]

I’m going to regret telling you this because I try to buy them when I see them and they are kind of off the common radar (until now!) They are known as RS Hystab resistors (some call them bumble bee because of their shape). Only used 1963 to 1965. They are carbon film and very good resistors. I’m not sure who made them. Other variations you see are the long/skinny Piher carbon films around this era (eg 68k input grids).

 

[Dblgun]

Thanks for the education. Your secrets safe with us! I will certainly leave those parts to you and those that restore or recreate these early amps. Now Iskra's for a late 60's circuit is a different story, I'd be on those like a fat kid on a cupcake!

 

[guitarzan2525]

I have one similar but RS output & choke. My question (which may already have been answered) is for the power transformer. Is this Drake iron?

 

[neikeel]

I have one similar but RS output & choke. My question (which may already have been answered) is for the power transformer. Is this Drake iron?

Show me the underside and I will tell you. In 64/65 they moved from RS with selector on top (hammer paint and top cover with rolled over sides to the very similar Drake but flat ended plated cover.

 

[London John]

Thanks for the education. Your secrets safe with us! I will certainly leave those parts to you and those that restore or recreate these early amps. Now Iskra's for a late 60's circuit is a different story, I'd be on those like a fat kid on a cupcake!

I'm going to put a few hundred up for sale soon.......surplus to needs. Only limited value is 68k, all others in bulk, bagged, NOS.

 

[Dblgun]

John, are you going to put them here for sale or another venue?

 

[guitarzan2525]

Show me the underside and I will tell you. In 64/65 they moved from RS with selector on top (hammer paint and top cover with rolled over sides to the very similar Drake but flat ended plated cover.

Here are more pics. BTW - does anyone recognize the tube manufacture? Amp tech installed them around 2001, claimed they were the best replacement 6L6c available..

 

[London John]

John, are you going to put them here for sale or another venue?

Probably ebay.

Bunch of other hard to find Marshall OEM stuff too.

 

[Dblgun]

Probably ebay.

Bunch of other hard to find Marshall OEM stuff too.

Understood, what is your Ebay "handle"?

 

[neikeel]

That PT looks like the Drake.

 

[Browneyesound]

Don’t recognize the tube labeling, but the mica wings remind me of Chinese 6L6 from the 80’s-90’s.

 

[guitarzan2525]

Don’t recognize the tube labeling, but the mica wings remind me of Chinese 6L6 from the 80’s-90’s.

They sound good. I don't play it a lot. How is the reliability on Chinese 6L6's?

 

[guitarzan2525]

That PT looks like the Drake.

Is there any sound difference between the Drake PT vs RS PT (for those who played both)?

 

[neikeel]

Is there any sound difference between the Drake PT vs RS PT (for those who played both)?

The PTs are similar voltage and rating so there is no difference in sound/tone behaviour in my experiences

 

[tomsvintage]

The PTs are similar voltage and rating so there is no difference in sound/tone behaviour in my experiences

I have used both and don't hear any difference either.

 

[guitarzan2525]

I have used both and don't hear any difference either.

Thanks tom & neikeel. I have both a 1965 & 1966 JTM-45 and the '66 is darker and a bit more aggressive whereas the earlier block logo (RS output & choke) sounds more glassy and Fenderish (with a bit more bite than Fenders - when cranked)...

 

[neikeel]

Thanks tom & neikeel. I have both a 1965 & 1966 JTM-45 and the '66 is darker and a bit more aggressive whereas the earlier block logo (RS output & choke) sounds more glassy and Fenderish (with a bit more bite than Fenders - when cranked)...

That is exactly my experience with the same spec amp with RS vs Drake OTs. However when fully cranked they sound very similar to me.