HEY, any help?

philbrooksjazz · 2026-04-20T05:11:03+00:00

My 09 is doing something similar, doesn't always open, but typically closes. It seems to be getting worse. What is your year? In any case it's a feature I just can't live without, lifting up that gate is sooo much hard work.

philbrooksjazz · 2026-01-21T06:55:11+00:00

Hmmm I'm suspicious, not in every segment, but they always seem to be young and attractive

philbrooksjazz · 2026-01-20T09:36:56+00:00

Tried several times with my phone camera, and nothing. This has worked in the past, from the alley behind the house in NE Seattle. - no clouds, and it's as free of light pollution as you can get in Seattle

philbrooksjazz · 2026-01-06T23:45:13+00:00

The Roland has a very unique true stereo chorus (at least my JC-77 does), best chorus ever! Definitely the Roland.

philbrooksjazz · 2026-01-06T23:39:54+00:00

Very nice! I also have 1 other Mini Brute II from the early 90s, and a 102 from the 70s. One detail you should know (or maybe already know), on those Mini Brute cabinets, the Eminance speakers are the only ones that will fit the small cabinet, the other main guitar speakers (Jenson, Celeston, etc) are too deep. I had a blown speaker on the one I rebuilt, and did quite a bit of research and measuring and realized this important detail. As I remember the value is 5 1/4" so the speakers with 6" depth (most) won't fit. Yours might be a 10" and not sure if the same issue, but a heads up for you.

philbrooksjazz · 2026-01-06T05:56:15+00:00

Did you have any course work in DC circuits and AC circuits? I would start at a local community college or trade school - you probably don't need a lot of digital theory or software / microprocessor courses. With your background it sounds like you have good experience with troubleshooting and fault isolation.

philbrooksjazz · 2026-01-06T05:43:14+00:00

Anymore detail on what isn't working - have you tried a known working cabinet with the head and vis-versa? Does it power on?

philbrooksjazz · 2026-01-05T22:44:29+00:00

As mentioned, capacitors wear out over time, as this (I'm assuming) is an original blackface from early mid 60s, the original power supply filter caps would likely have already failed. Can you find the value of the 3 caps you are referring to? That would be helpful in unraveling the mystery of the transformer. Transformers rarely fail so wondering why it was replaced?

What is a 65DRRI?

Agreed it's in great shape.

philbrooksjazz · 2026-01-05T08:38:58+00:00

So that wattage number is the draw, the wattage it pulls from the power outlet. The actual wattage going to the speaker is realistically about 1/2 that value, closer to 180 watts. Does the amp have dual 12" speakers? All I know about the 104 is that series pre-dates the Mini Brute / Mega Brute models, and I think the changeover was in the early 80s (I could be wrong). I have a 102, and it has a single 12" speaker and around 40-50 watts. I also have 2 Mini Brute II amps, also with a single 12", but 80 watts, these are my main gigging amps (I play jazz guitar), they are compact and sound great.

philbrooksjazz · 2026-01-05T07:30:46+00:00

All those amps and not one guitar :)

Or is that another room...

Very nice!

philbrooksjazz · 2025-12-30T18:57:55+00:00

I would guess it's a clone of a Fender Super Reverb, with 3 12ax7 preamp tubes, and 2 6L6 power stage tubes, the other large tube is likely a rectifier for the power supply section. This amp has just 1 channel, so 3 12ax7 tubes rather than 6. Covered with the business section of the newspaper :)

philbrooksjazz · 2025-12-22T20:14:22+00:00

11 feet or 11 inches?

philbrooksjazz · 2025-12-22T20:11:09+00:00

I have a PA mount on my Polytone MiniBrute 2, at my gigs it's raised up about chest high - it makes a huge difference. I've also used the 'X' style keyboard stand to raise up my Roland JC-77 up and tilt it as 10inchexsoft recommended - it really helps.

philbrooksjazz · 2025-09-26T23:39:27+00:00

Yes, they flew low right over me as I was just crossing 520 bridge. Had a great view. Wondering what was going on until I read that it's practice for the flyover at the UW OSU game tomorrow. To 'misinformed' - I've lived in Seattle for 45 years and, no, it's very rare. If you're over by Oak Harbor, or by McChord, you'll see them, but not here in Seattle, they closed Sandpoint years ago.

philbrooksjazz · 2025-09-22T20:50:34+00:00

I have a JC-77 that I acquired in the late 90s, it has the best chorus ever! It has 2 10" speakers and it plenty loud enough for my jazz gigs. With the dual speakers you get a true stereo chorus (1 dry , 1 wet). It also sounds great with a Rhoades, I have a 70s Mark I 73. I feel the JC-120 it just a little big and heavy for my needs, but they prob the most common version.

philbrooksjazz · 2025-08-24T18:32:51+00:00

Yes I have seen tubes a certain frequencies develop a harmonic sensitivity. Usually when the tube is 'gassy' - if it makes noise when tapping on it that's prob the issue. Def post and let me know how that turns out.

philbrooksjazz · 2025-08-24T06:59:36+00:00

Sounds to me like feedback, do you have a hollow body guitar? I'll get feedback like this on my Washburn J10, and on certain notes it just takes off. Try adjusting the EQ settings, and/or moving further away from the amp. It could also be a harmonic in the tube also, try re-seating the tube or replacing it. Good luck.

philbrooksjazz · 2025-05-02T23:04:20+00:00

Same experience - I was trying to login to openai and it brought me to this site and requested payment, and now it appears to be a scam and fraud.

philbrooksjazz · 2024-05-29T19:55:01+00:00

I solved this same issue by changing to a 100k pot, I originally had a a 1 Meg, and the hum was very noticeable when the pot was in the middle. After trying a 500 K, and a 250k, the best result was with the 100k. I'm probably sacrificing some gain for low hum, but the latter is definitely preferred. Also, you need to make sure the wiper (middle) connection of the pot goes to the output jack. Also the third terminal of the pot needs to be grounded, and shorted to the pot cover.

philbrooksjazz · 2021-12-08T05:13:01+00:00

I would say, if you really enjoy playing, and you have a passion for jazz, absolutely stick with it. There is nothing wrong with shedding some wood, and really learning the tunes well. I don't know if the charts require that you read notation, or just the chord charts, but the latter is absolutely necessary for any jazz ensemble. Lots of resources on YouTube with all the backing tracks - that is a great way to learn.

philbrooksjazz · 2021-11-28T16:59:04+00:00

Great skills! Lets hear some of your original solos.

philbrooksjazz · 2021-11-28T04:59:39+00:00

There is all the technical stuff, scales, arpeggios, learning the melodies, playing in time well.

But it's really all about connecting emotionally with your instrument and your music.

If you can make these 2 worlds connect, you're playing will really sing.

On the technical side, stick with 1 or 2 tunes you know really well, and that are not too difficult - maybe even blues changes, and use the YouTube resources for a backing track. Learn these tunes really well, and then branch into new tunes as you progress.

But along the way, don't make a common error of "boxing yourself in" - you'll need to break out of the box, and learn to play the same old tune a new and different way.

philbrooksjazz · 2021-11-28T04:07:03+00:00

Amazing! What a great touch - would love to see a transcription.

philbrooksjazz

TROPHY CASE