cleaning
- Thread starter eSGEe
- Start date
I've had this approach since a was about 6 years old, when looking at something:
Well somebody put this together
That means I can take it apart
OP
eSGEe
Ferengi Ambassador of Trade
I had the same mentality Don--- I also ended up with many things that never worked right again---- I did learn many things and to be fair fixed and or improved many things---asnd now know much about how things work ---- but over time one gets a "vibe" for which things to muck about with and which to leave be........Im going with leave be here....
as I perform a ferensic cleaning .....the interior has truly not been opened siunce the Carter administration.....not kidding....
the pink insulation used to insulate the cabinet is mostly brittle brownish grey funk.......it was flooded at some point approx 1" of water and it sat in it a bit---- thank heaven KUSTOM used REAL thick PLYWOOD --- no particle board here -- so except for some discolorations and funk---- it is sturdy and solid baffles chrome is good under a patina of salt crust and funk.......
the removal of said insulation improved odor DRASTICALLY and a light clean and vacuum of the grille cloth removed MUCH dust and funk....
back to the grime time
as I perform a ferensic cleaning .....the interior has truly not been opened siunce the Carter administration.....not kidding....
the pink insulation used to insulate the cabinet is mostly brittle brownish grey funk.......it was flooded at some point approx 1" of water and it sat in it a bit---- thank heaven KUSTOM used REAL thick PLYWOOD --- no particle board here -- so except for some discolorations and funk---- it is sturdy and solid baffles chrome is good under a patina of salt crust and funk.......
the removal of said insulation improved odor DRASTICALLY and a light clean and vacuum of the grille cloth removed MUCH dust and funk....
back to the grime time
Yeah, but this is a bit like taking a sofa apart and putting it back together without wrecking the irreplaceable upholstery.
That said, the grill cloth on these is fairly robust stuff. That’s why so many have survived long enough to get so skanky.
The guy that runs the Vintage Kustom forum actually removes the internals, and the wood baffles...then he takes them to a self serve car wash, and hits them with the power washer. For real.
Don’t forget the ArmorAll!
That’s actually pretty impressive.
His look pretty good when he’s done...
I couldn’t resist stealing the pic of the red one with the Firebird for scale. 4X15...I just can’t picture cleaning that grill cloth with a toothbrush...
Session 5
Ambassador of Strings & Wings
That Simple green is good stuff, but very strong, I use it one parts Chemical to three parts water. Its one of the best cleaners I have used .
The grill material from that era Kustom amps was pretty robust stuff. Like a basket weave with heavy nylon cord.
Must...
Resist...
A...
Third...
Must...
Resist...
A...
Third...
OP
eSGEe
Ferengi Ambassador of Trade
This thing reaches new lows I never thought possible---
there is TRULY a big difference between "modern" bass tone and vintage---
My Hartke is a GREAT bass amp -- its "tight and right" --- but the KUSTOM......just MOVES AIR in a way the Hartke cant.
As my son said--- when you play the Hartke--- I cant hear you in my room --- when you play the KUSTOM ---I cant really HEAR you either but I can FEEL the fact your playing.......
and well there ya have it.
there is TRULY a big difference between "modern" bass tone and vintage---
My Hartke is a GREAT bass amp -- its "tight and right" --- but the KUSTOM......just MOVES AIR in a way the Hartke cant.
As my son said--- when you play the Hartke--- I cant hear you in my room --- when you play the KUSTOM ---I cant really HEAR you either but I can FEEL the fact your playing.......
and well there ya have it.