Panama Loco gut shots

RVA

RVA

Ambassador
I took this apart today because the LED is blinky and needs replacing. I thought thouse of you who know amps might be interested to see the guts. A note, the little circuit board with the hot glue that is wired to the mini toggle (left of the photo) was dangling - should I just stick it on the board?

20170917_201003.jpg
20170917_201007.jpg
20170917_201015.jpg
20170917_201022.jpg
20170917_201035.jpg
20170917_201041.jpg
 
I'll be honest and say that for a professional amp building manufacturer, that dangling circuit board, some soldering joints, and wire dressing are unacceptable.

Looks like the lil circuit board is the "Voicing" circuit. I don't know why it's not at least secured with a separate single circuit board stand-off. Looks too much like an emergency afterthought.

Not sure what height you would need, but a stand-off like this:
s-h173.png

Standoff - #6-32, Female, Aluminum

How are you liking the Loco?
 
If it popped off once it probably will again. If you could use stand offs or possibly bolts with two nuts (one as a spacer between the two boards and one to hold it on) - providing there room to safely do it on the boards. Is that just a piece of thin foam they used to separate the two boards? If it was playing fine as is, the simplest way would be to use hot glue again. Could always try it once and if it comes back off go the extra mile next time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RVA
syscokid said:
How are you liking the Loco?
Click to expand...
Thanks guys.

Sysco, the regular voicing is very nice and warm. I like it a lot. The high gain is over the top unusable, at least for me, and probably anyone who does not do hardcore metal, but even then, there would be better options. As with all EL84 amps, it has very little headroom, which is not a big problem for basement player like me. I only paid $ 250, so I feel I got my money's worth...and it is purple, so...
 
If you decide to use the stand offs don't use a power drill on those circuit cards. You need a hand held pin vise type deal.
A power drill could quickly tear that small daughter board apart.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RVA
Are those made in Mexico?
It wont work unless you use:
upload_2017-9-18_12-59-52.jpeg

mexican standoffs
triello2.jpg


Thats a lot of all tube amp for $250.
Round out some of their short cuts and you may have a keeper there.
I dont know how that circuit compares to the typical Marshall 18w / push pull EL84; the pre amp and speaker have so much influence as well as the power tubes.

May be a good candidate for you to get involved in amp mods.
That over the top voicing can probably be tamed a bit to some nice 70/80's British with just a little tinkering.

I still want to try a pentode / triode power cut switch on mine but I have enough to do.
 
Sp8ctre said:
quickly tear that small daughter board apart.
Click to expand...


never underestimate the simple zip tie, or a bracket / strap assembly with them.
It could keep things under control until you decide on a more permanent course of action.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RVA
jtcnj said:
Are those made in Mexico?
It wont work unless you use:
View attachment 8456

mexican standoffs
triello2.jpg


Thats a lot of all tube amp for $250.
Round out some of their short cuts and you may have a keeper there.
I dont know how that circuit compares to the typical Marshall 18w / push pull EL84; the pre amp and speaker have so much influence as well as the power tubes.

May be a good candidate for you to get involved in amp mods.
That over the top voicing can probably be tamed a bit to some nice 70/80's British with just a little tinkering.

I still want to try a pentode / triode power cut switch on mine but I have enough to do.
Click to expand...
They are actually made in Panama.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top