Comments on: Removing the Circuit Board http://billmaudio.com/wp Small amps, big sound. Thu, 09 Sep 2010 12:00:31 -0400 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: bill http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=17&cpage=1#comment-13271 bill Thu, 09 Sep 2010 03:28:17 +0000 http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=17#comment-13271 Yep P4. Just like it says on the schematic: <a href="http://www.fender.com/support/amp_schematics/pdfs/Blues_Junior_Schematic.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.fender.com/support/amp_schematics/pdfs/Blues_Junior_Schematic.pdf</a> Yep P4. Just like it says on the schematic: http://www.fender.com/support/amp_schematics/pdfs/Blues_Junior_Schematic.pdf

]]> By: Justin http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=17&cpage=1#comment-13253 Justin Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:59:22 +0000 http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=17#comment-13253 Hey bill, Im just finishing up the mods, with a standby switch and I didn't write down where the black wire from the power transformer goes... I think its p4 on the cream board? can you verify this for me before i plug it in :) Hey bill, Im just finishing up the mods, with a standby switch and I didn’t write down where the black wire from the power transformer goes… I think its p4 on the cream board? can you verify this for me before i plug it in :)

]]> By: bill http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=17&cpage=1#comment-12021 bill Sun, 22 Aug 2010 19:57:52 +0000 http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=17#comment-12021 If only lead-free solders are available, tin-copper is probably best for an amplifier. Tin-lead is very malleable and absorbs vibration well. Tin-copper has a higher melting point than tin-silver or tin-silver-copper, but it's less likely to crack. Work carefully, because the higher heat is more likely to loosen the copper traces. If only lead-free solders are available, tin-copper is probably best for an amplifier. Tin-lead is very malleable and absorbs vibration well. Tin-copper has a higher melting point than tin-silver or tin-silver-copper, but it’s less likely to crack. Work carefully, because the higher heat is more likely to loosen the copper traces.

]]> By: Joe C http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=17&cpage=1#comment-11974 Joe C Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:30:26 +0000 http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=17#comment-11974 I'm a complete noob! I bought most of the mods, I bought the Hakko soldering iron station (big +), I followed the instructions, emailed Bill a couple of times (poor billm!), got quick answers, listened to the advice and now my BJr sounds freaking incredible! I have soldered before, but the difference using a temp controlled soldering iron is huge. Never even came close to overheating anything! (My biggest fear!) My mods to a 2006(?) BJr: Cream Board Basic Kit Presence control Switchcraft input jack Audio-taper master volume control Audio-taper reverb control Clean Boost module Stereo footswitch jack 22 Watt Heyboer Recap Kit Standby switch (I love this option!) Aux speaker jack Line out jack (not used, but I keep dreaming!) Also added the Cannabis Rex speaker Ruby reverb tank with a tank bag I typically play with a Celestion G12 Century ext cab. this combo sounds absolutely awesome! I can't begin to tell you how nervous I was going into this mod, but fear not, it was fairly straight forward and relatively easy! The big bonus is not only being able to adjust your own bias when switching tubes, but understanding why you adjust your bias! I’m a complete noob!

I bought most of the mods, I bought the Hakko soldering iron station (big +), I followed the instructions, emailed Bill a couple of times (poor billm!), got quick answers, listened to the advice and now my BJr sounds freaking incredible! I have soldered before, but the difference using a temp controlled soldering iron is huge. Never even came close to overheating anything! (My biggest fear!)

My mods to a 2006(?) BJr:

Cream Board Basic Kit
Presence control
Switchcraft input jack
Audio-taper master volume control
Audio-taper reverb control
Clean Boost module
Stereo footswitch jack
22 Watt Heyboer
Recap Kit
Standby switch (I love this option!)
Aux speaker jack
Line out jack (not used, but I keep dreaming!)

Also added the Cannabis Rex speaker
Ruby reverb tank with a tank bag

I typically play with a Celestion G12 Century ext cab. this combo sounds absolutely awesome!

I can’t begin to tell you how nervous I was going into this mod, but fear not, it was fairly straight forward and relatively easy! The big bonus is not only being able to adjust your own bias when switching tubes, but understanding why you adjust your bias!

]]> By: Luke http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=17&cpage=1#comment-11811 Luke Fri, 20 Aug 2010 11:07:33 +0000 http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=17#comment-11811 Hi Bill, You reccomend 60/40 solder, but in the UK most places only sell lead free (Sn99.3% Cu0.7%) which has a higher melting point (227 degrees celcius instead of the 188C of 60/40) I've been using this fine for general soldering, but would it be suitable for doing your general mods, or do I need to seek out some leaded solder (my dad may have some)? Regards, Luke Hi Bill,

You reccomend 60/40 solder, but in the UK most places only sell lead free (Sn99.3% Cu0.7%) which has a higher melting point (227 degrees celcius instead of the 188C of 60/40) I’ve been using this fine for general soldering, but would it be suitable for doing your general mods, or do I need to seek out some leaded solder (my dad may have some)?

Regards,
Luke

]]> By: jack http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=17&cpage=1#comment-9919 jack Thu, 29 Jul 2010 01:29:13 +0000 http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=17#comment-9919 Found it ! Pedalpartsplus.com 5mm LED and Holder Found it ! Pedalpartsplus.com 5mm LED and Holder

]]> By: jack http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=17&cpage=1#comment-9782 jack Tue, 27 Jul 2010 03:50:10 +0000 http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=17#comment-9782 Matt, wher can one acquire the neccessary items to do the blue led mod like yours? Would like to do the pjr also.Thanks Matt, wher can one acquire the neccessary items to do the blue led mod like yours? Would like to do the pjr also.Thanks

]]> By: bill http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=17&cpage=1#comment-5771 bill Tue, 04 May 2010 12:38:27 +0000 http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=17#comment-5771 Now try the new coupling caps! It's even better. If the knobs are mounted correctly, the stock pots (admittedly cheesy) will last a long time. Now try the new coupling caps! It’s even better. If the knobs are mounted correctly, the stock pots (admittedly cheesy) will last a long time.

]]> By: Ken Zuercher http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=17&cpage=1#comment-5753 Ken Zuercher Tue, 04 May 2010 00:10:10 +0000 http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=17#comment-5753 Bill, thanks for having this site and offering your mod kits. I was repairing a recent Blues Junior for a student of mine when I noticed the cheeseball pots in the amp. His had a cracked midrange pot that I replaced with a real pot. I have a Blues Deluxe (not a reissue) that has real pots although I had to replace the input jacks with Switchcraft jacks. Also i had to resolder every joint on the two circuit boards. Now it is finally reliable. The tonestack cap change that you suggest (.1 and .015) did the trick on the Blues Junior. Much cheaper than a Jenson Alnico Speaker. Bill, thanks for having this site and offering your mod kits. I was repairing a recent Blues Junior for a student of mine when I noticed the cheeseball pots in the amp. His had a cracked midrange pot that I replaced with a real pot. I have a Blues Deluxe (not a reissue) that has real pots although I had to replace the input jacks with Switchcraft jacks. Also i had to resolder every joint on the two circuit boards. Now it is finally reliable. The tonestack cap change that you suggest (.1 and .015) did the trick on the Blues Junior. Much cheaper than a Jenson Alnico Speaker.

]]> By: bill http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=17&cpage=1#comment-5541 bill Sun, 25 Apr 2010 01:40:47 +0000 http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=17#comment-5541 The mod kits come with photo instructions. They should provide enough guidance if you have decent mechanical/soldering skills. If you're a novice, you should get help from someone with the tools and experience. The mod kits come with photo instructions. They should provide enough guidance if you have decent mechanical/soldering skills. If you’re a novice, you should get help from someone with the tools and experience.

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