Modifying Moviola URS Amps for Steel

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 30 May 2002 9:56 am

After reading this thread a while back ...
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum11/HTML/002202.html

I picked up one these amps on Ebay in unmodified form. My local amp guru blanched when I brought it in and didn't want to touch it. Has anybody else done the mod on these things? Anybody know a good amp repair shop that'll deal with it for a reasonable price? Thanks.

Michael Holland · Post by **Michael Holland** » 30 May 2002 11:34 am

Is this anything you can use?
http://www.geofex.com/Article_Folders/old2new.htm

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 30 May 2002 4:28 pm

I'll be glad to "crack" mine open and draw a diagram on how the 1/4" is wired.

I've been wantin' to add a grounded cord anyway ... give me a reason to open-r-up.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 30 May 2002 5:07 pm

"Gee...dats a big job...I gotta drill one hole and solder 5 wires!" Andy, if your "amp guru" wouldn't do the job, then he's not a serviceman or tech...just a prima-donna. If all you need is the jack and a 3-wire cord, you're talking 15 minutes work, and less than $10 in parts. A tech who wouldn't do this for $30-$40 is just too lazy or too busy making "big bucks" on some other poor soul. I'd be takin' my business somewhere's else.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 30 May 2002 5:42 pm

Guys, thanks for all the feedback.

Michael, this is an interesting article. Thanks! Rick & Donny, thanks too ...
I know guitars but amps and even basic electrical work are beyond me. I'm trying another amp tech on Saturday - we'll see how it turns out. It didn't seem like rocket science. Good info.

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 30 May 2002 7:43 pm

When I worked for MGM, Kerkorian sold it to Ted Turner who then sold it back to Kerkorian who sold it to Lorimar. Merv wanted to get rid of all the old stuff and they threw away dumpsters full of Moviolas. We were all looking at them wondering, "well, what the hell am I going to do with them?"

Bruce Derr · Post by **Bruce Derr** » 31 May 2002 9:11 am

I did this type of mod for a friend a few years ago. He had found an old extension speaker/amp from one of those old record player/PA units that square dance callers used to use. It was a single-ended 6BQ5 amp with volume and tone controls and 6x9" speaker. I mounted a 1/4" jack on a homemade metal bracket and did some minor circuit changes. It didn't sound good until I removed the negative feedback resistor. It ended up being a great little practice amp.

seldomfed · Post by **seldomfed** » 7 Jun 2002 11:32 am

I took mine to the local tube amp guy and he puzzled over it for a week. Then called to say he'll easily wire an input jack, an extension speaker jack, and add 3-prong AC cord. I'll check the details when I pick it up. Basically he's replacing the input jack that's on it with a 1/4" - the orig. jack is a screw type like old mics used. He'll drill a hole for the speaker jack. There's another multi-pin jack there that we puzzled over - and decided to leave it alone. What's that thing for?? I prob. could have tried this mod - but he's so good. I hope to get it this weekend.

For Colo. residents, it's Mike Mooso in Greeley.
Chris

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Chris Kennison
Ft. Collins, Colorado
"We can't afford to let Nature run wild" - govt. offical - Alaska
www.seldomfed.com

seldomfed · Post by **seldomfed** » 14 Jun 2002 4:36 pm

I just got it back!! The guy who worked on it is Mike Mooso aka 'Doc Rock'. (Greeley Colo.) Mike specializes in fixing and building tube amps. He did an amazing job. The little Moviola sounds great. Replaced some caps and added resistors to improve the hum. It's not noticible with the small speaker anymore. He made the headphone jack into a speaker jack for me so I can unplug the little speaker and plug in a 4ohm cabinet - wow! Also added the instrument jack of course. Drilled a new hole and we left the other two 'inputs' alone.

good luck
Chris

Mike's email is mmooso@aol.com and he would entertain questions on how he did it. Tell him 'seldomfed' sent you! (or Chris)

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Chris Kennison
Ft. Collins, Colorado
"We can't afford to let Nature run wild" - govt. offical - Alaska www.seldomfed.com

<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by seldomfed on 14 June 2002 at 05:37 PM.]</p></FONT>