daddymack

Ampeg Super Stud GE-500s were built in Japan back around the mid 1970s. They are a bolt-on neck SG style, with a 'German carve' top, with real Bigsby vibratos. How much are they asking? In excellent condition, they typically sell for around $500 To my knowledge, they never finished them in black, so I won't buy it. Tell the seller to put it on Reverb.com...

gotta ask...where did the amp come from, and do you know what year it was built? It sounds like someone did some mods before you got it...It also sounds like the power transformer is a non-spec replacement...and may be mis-wired, which could explain the voltage variants. I'm sure you have this already, but to save time for other respondents, this is Ampeg's VT-40 Schematic: Ampeg VT-40 Schematics.pdf

ummmm... we really are NOT 'your Google'....and telling people off here will get you banned...consider this your free warning.

JJ or TAD first choice for non-NOS there are also solid state versions of the 12AX7, like this

sorry about your dog......sadly he likely will get worse over time, while your dexterity should improve. It comes down to your practice regimen, how you adapt to the physical restrictions the injury has put in place and ...well...time. Slowing down to retrain your fingers is the better course of action rather than demanding three do the work of four....IMHO. Listen to the pain, it is telling you something...but do not give in to it. Work around it, work through it...but work it.

depending on what ksl's budget is, I do know a few who bought this...about half of what Fender asks...yeah, it'll hold six, not just 3...but

Also, some amps are 'self-biasing' [cathode biased] like AC30s, and 5E3 Deluxe...most [not all] amps under ~35 watts are self-biased. When you get into the four power tube zone, then it gets important. I don't know if I would say that it is only for the high gain crowd or tone connoiseurs...anyone who wants their tubes in their 40-100W amp to last more than a few gigs will benefit from understanding the need to bias the power tubes...my Marshall SL 100 was a PITA to get the bias right...and I did fry some EL34 tubes very quickly when I did it too hot...that was the first amp I actually had to bias myself, and it was a learning curve. Back then there was no internet [1977] and few manuals available. I was fortunate that I worked with a lot of techs and engineers [computer/test equipment industry] who were helpful to a point...tube tech was out of vogue, but the basics still applied. I still have one amp, my Vibrolux Reverb, that needs to be biased. The rest of my amps are 20W or lower and self biasing...thankfully.

Interesting...[becuz the 1st thinlines came out in '69 ]... I was wondering how that color will change with age? Will it pale out, or darken...? Paled out, with the maple fretboard would look pretty cool; darkened would get you into the 'butterscotch' zone...good either way.

gardo...I think you made a great change! Especially since you were not happy with the original body, but liked the neck. Also, you are now rid of the noticably large gap between the bridge plate and the pickguard on the original body...

I have not had to deal with this exact situation. I have performed several mods and repairs on the 'big brother' Blues Junior [I own 2] and I suggest that this is not a task to be undertaken unless you are well versed in PCB mounted externals like the jack and pots. Your tech, as bp noted, should have the proper experience and knowledge to make these changes. BTW, they are not 'near impossible to get into', you just have to understand they were designed to be built, not repaired, but if they can build it, it can be dismantled. [If you want an amp that is almost impossible to work on, try some of the Crate tube amps... ]

Rics...when I needed child support money, it was the first to go...

no, mikeo, it is not a Gibson. That was made pretty clear in the OP... the BRAND is FIREBRAND, not the model. I know you just like posting pics of guitars....but you are not adding to the OP's research request.

look at the bottom of the text window. See the 'paper clip icon? It says 'drag files here' or you can find them on your computer/phone using the 'choose files' option IIRC, Firebrand guitars were 'starter' guitars imported for a 'student kit' by Alfred Music. If it is one of those, I hope you didn't pay too much. I see only one... listed anywhere: https://www.musicgoround.com/product/gahanna-oh/40107-S000133969/Used-FIREBRAND-STRAT-Electric-Guitars-Black?utm_content=40107&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkruVBhCHARIsACVIiOy77zMsn-gJDyNpXKWW2FihNlu3kDTlBxpBjSGYEqK4YcNlhr1iRSoaAvKlEALw_wcB

Each injury is unique, but I have sustained numerous injuries to both hands over the years, from full dislocations [both fore fingers] a near amputation*[LH pinky] and innumerable fractures and a crushed left thumb and crushed fingertip [RH pinky]...do not get discouraged. Yes, you basically have lost all the muscle memory and likely added scar tissue, may have nerve damage, and so on...but with a solid practice regimen, you can get most of your dexterity back. To be fair I do not consider myself a 'shredder', but I do play lead, and fingerstyle. Forget what is considered 'acceptable', and find what will still work for your condition. You will need to make some adjustments to accommodate the lasting effects, but it is do-able. I took solace in the thought that Django Rheinhardt still outplays me with only two fingers... * I was told by the ER MD that I would never get back any dexterity in that pinky...but I proved him wrong...it took a few years though.

Those old Guilds have their own very unique 'flavor...it is a shame about the finish, though. Those guitars were overlooked by many people back in the day, when you had Guild, Gibson, Gretsch, D'Angelico and Epiphone competing in the jazz guitar arena.

brand new? get a good pro set-up.

I hope you have skinny feet....😉

Honestly? You need to try every pedal that claims to be 'Dumblesque' and make your own decision. Because, IMHO, none of them sound specifically like a Dumble, especially considering that no two Dumbles sounded exactly the same

? What is so hard?

no, like the Skid Row Slasher, it kills transients....

bp is correct, subjectivity is in the ear of the listener...but if you liked the sound, and it is only for home practice, why are we even discussing this?

there are plenty of 'vocal harmonizers' [I have 2...] ...but the 'effect' of doing 3 or 4 part harmony live is always pretty impressive. I have been in a few bands over the past 50 years that could pull that off, and it was always one of those 'skull-tingling' moments when the 'flow' is on.

if you are sure you want to do this, you should wire up something similar to a GFI that would not allow the two speakers to be in-line if anything were plugged into the other two ['L' & 'R'] inputs.

^bp hit it again, yes, a solid cover would definitely work and look cool [si, una copertura solida funzionerebbe sicuramente e sembra bello]

you can do it if the slugs are flush, but it will not look 'right' absent the screw heads.