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dementedchord
Psychotic State alumni ch
not a bad idea... but would be slightly overkill in practcle use we are talking about a gibson skylark right?? but it aint exactly expensive....
not a bad idea... but would be slightly overkill in practcle use we are talking about a gibson skylark right?? but it aint exactly expensive....
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Alden_Sloe
New member
Remember that it cuts both ways with the filter and/or by-pass cap. Not only does it protect the amp, which at the very least creates a nasty back voltage when turned on/off but it keeps conducted emissions off of the AC line which can be a big issue when you've got other audio equipment plugged into the same circuit. Lots of the receptacles also have a built in fuse holder so that helps clean things up a bit too.
If you go with a hardwired cord make sure to incorporate adequate strain relief so that when somebody trips over it the solder joints aren't what take the brunt of the force.
If you go with a hardwired cord make sure to incorporate adequate strain relief so that when somebody trips over it the solder joints aren't what take the brunt of the force.
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ermghoti
New member
On this point, one could just pull the switch, connect the leads together, and electrical tape it, right?
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Alden_Sloe
New member
Why bother with electrical tape, just twist the wires together 
famous beagle
Well-known member
Ok, I know this thread is old, but once I saw that the amp was working after this modification (to 3-prong), I stopped there. I didn't really play it until this past weekend. And I swear it doesn't sound as good now. I don't know what the problem could be, but it sounds thinner and edgier.
Could this modification have caused anything like this?
I performed the wiring modification that arcaxis described above, and I removed the "death cap."
Should this cause any change in sound?
I don't understand it. Before I made this modification, this amp sang. Now it doesn't. What could be the problem?
Thanks for any help
Could this modification have caused anything like this?
I performed the wiring modification that arcaxis described above, and I removed the "death cap."
Should this cause any change in sound?
I don't understand it. Before I made this modification, this amp sang. Now it doesn't. What could be the problem?
Thanks for any help
G
ggunn
Crystal Flavolian
I don't see how adding a ground wire to the chassis and removing the cap to ground could have changed the sound of the amp at all. Possibly something else is going on electrically, or maybe it's just that persistence of memory thing.
famous beagle
Well-known member
Hmmm ... ok I guess I'll have to poke around and see if I can find anything else wrong.
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Alden_Sloe
New member
I read back through the post and I don't see anywhere that the bypass cap is refered to as a "death cap". Arcaxis says "The cap to ground could stay in this leg or be removed." I think the "death" reference was to a switch being on the ground leg so that parts in the amp are hot even when it's turned off. If someone makes contact with one of these leads THEY can become the path to ground. Hence the name "death switch".
As to your question regarding a change in sound it's possible that removing the bypass cap has allowed more noise to enter the amp. You don't have it plugged into the same circuit as a vacuum cleaner do you
I think it's more likely the "persistence of memory thing". It's also possible that other components may have just gone bad (or gotten worse) over time. Capacitors do dry out for instance. Vacuum tubes can leak. Also getting in and working around old wires and solder joints could have damaged connections removed from where you were working.It can't hurt to replace the bypass cap. I think it's just a good idea anyway and cheap and easy to do.
-Bernie
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Light
New member
With most death switches, you have both the hot and neutral wires connected to the switch. You don't want to twist THOSE together, obviously. Just cut the cap out, and it's fine.
Light
"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
Light
New member
There is no reason why the supply stuff would change the sound, but you might have mucked up some bit of the lead dress while you were doing it, which could easily be a problem.
Light
"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
famous beagle
Well-known member
Thanks for the help and suggestions everyone. Maybe I screwed something up while I was in there. I'll check it out.
I had heard that cap referred to as the death cap in many situations before, along with similar ones in Fender amps.
I had heard that cap referred to as the death cap in many situations before, along with similar ones in Fender amps.
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boingoman
New member
According to your diagram, the core is grounded, so the circuit breaker or GFI in the wall is your protection.