From bt1955@aol.com Wed Mar 21 13:43:14 2001
Subject:Re: Taking the Leslie to a gig

In a message dated 3/21/01 3:07:28 PM Central Standard Time,
tymelys22@tadamson.greatxscape.net writes:

> Hi,
> I have recently purchased a couple of Leslie cabinets for different
> purposes.
> I've read on other newgroups about replacing the caps, which meant
> nothing to me but now presume that this refers to the electrolytic
> capacitors. Below you mention orange drops, which I might have
> thought to be a range of candies but assume refers to something
> superior to wax caps.
> My newly aquired and soon to be installed 145 might also be in need
> of a refit.
> What sort of a job is this for a tech, how many caps need relacing?,
> and if orange drops are not readily available in the UK do they have
> another technical name?
>

Replacing caps, especially in a 145 is fairly simple. A decent guitar amp
tech can handle this quickly and inexpensively. Orange drops refer to Sprague
brand which are usually polyester or foil type and of course are orange in
color, and have been used in a lot of boutique amplifiers. They are not the
only caps you can use. In the UK there are caps such as WIMA which are
excellent caps used in a lot of top end amplifiers out there. Marshall,
Orange, Hiwatt use them. As far as electrolytics, most people have been
cutting in individual axial lead caps because the replacement multiple can
caps that are available have been of poor quality. There is a company that
makes multiple can caps by stuffing new cans with individual caps, like the
old style. The result is a high quality can cap at about $25. Remember,
electrolyte's carry lethal voltages, if you do-not know how to discharge a
electrolytic, you can cause serious injury to yourself. Have a Tech perform
the rebuild. Its really not that expensive. You have to keep in mind these
amps are 30 to 40 yrs old, they need to be rebuilt to a point.

Tony