adpopulum
Well-Known Member
Not often you come across "free","The Fisher" and "amplifier" in the same sentence, and likely never on CL or Kijiji... but I did
Was up late one night while traveling in NE for work. Came across the ad for a free Fisher KX-200 and replied not thinking I was anywhere near the first to reply. As it happens, I get a call the next day while in a meeting. Called back and made arrangements to come pick it up when I returned home.
The amp was located about 100km (60miles) from where I live so I had a 2 hour drive there and back but, hey, it's a free Fisher! Met the guy who was trying to de-clutter. This older gentleman reckoned he had bought new in '69. Says it was pre-built so maybe not new. Anyhow, he stopped using it in the early 70's when he bought a SS unit. He ended up storing it in a cottage on his property. Years ago some kids broke in and vandalized the place... they apparently chucked the Fisher across the room :tearssee the pics). He did know if it worked or what, but hey it was free!
I have to say by the previous owner's description on the phone I was expecting alot worse damage, but it is still significant. The metal cabinet has a few dings and dents - but I think this could easily be repaired. The bigger issue is the aluminum face plate. It is slightly bent. Otherwise the faceplate is in nice shape still retaining the gold coloured lacquer. Not sure how I am going to go about straightening this without ruining the original look so any advice would be appreciated. Finally the chassis is quite dirty and this old classic at one point was residence to a mouse. The mouse urine has corroded some of the finish on the front of the chassis. How would you go about cleaning the chassis? I don't want to destroy the finish. I have read that ammonia is a good approach, but others same nothing more than soap and water. I doubt the latter will have much effect on this chassis.
Anyhow, now to the good news, came with 5/6 Mullard 12AX7 tubes, all testing high within range. Also 2 Fisher 7951s and 2 Sylvania 7591s, again all in good nick.
I brought this up real slowly on a variac (over the course of 3 days) and finally had a chance to pop in the power tubes this morning and it sounds great. I have read about Fishers and soundstage, and even in my garage with some small Ampeg 6x9 full range speakers positioned in a lees than optimal place, it sounded so real. Cleaned all the pots and switches and they are all functioning as new. I do have a slight hum in one channel that I assume will disappear with new caps. My initial thinking was to part this baby out to fund some of the other projects I have in the works, but I am really digging this amp. Gonna have to restore it:thmbsp:
Was up late one night while traveling in NE for work. Came across the ad for a free Fisher KX-200 and replied not thinking I was anywhere near the first to reply. As it happens, I get a call the next day while in a meeting. Called back and made arrangements to come pick it up when I returned home.
The amp was located about 100km (60miles) from where I live so I had a 2 hour drive there and back but, hey, it's a free Fisher! Met the guy who was trying to de-clutter. This older gentleman reckoned he had bought new in '69. Says it was pre-built so maybe not new. Anyhow, he stopped using it in the early 70's when he bought a SS unit. He ended up storing it in a cottage on his property. Years ago some kids broke in and vandalized the place... they apparently chucked the Fisher across the room :tearssee the pics). He did know if it worked or what, but hey it was free!
I have to say by the previous owner's description on the phone I was expecting alot worse damage, but it is still significant. The metal cabinet has a few dings and dents - but I think this could easily be repaired. The bigger issue is the aluminum face plate. It is slightly bent. Otherwise the faceplate is in nice shape still retaining the gold coloured lacquer. Not sure how I am going to go about straightening this without ruining the original look so any advice would be appreciated. Finally the chassis is quite dirty and this old classic at one point was residence to a mouse. The mouse urine has corroded some of the finish on the front of the chassis. How would you go about cleaning the chassis? I don't want to destroy the finish. I have read that ammonia is a good approach, but others same nothing more than soap and water. I doubt the latter will have much effect on this chassis.
Anyhow, now to the good news, came with 5/6 Mullard 12AX7 tubes, all testing high within range. Also 2 Fisher 7951s and 2 Sylvania 7591s, again all in good nick.
I brought this up real slowly on a variac (over the course of 3 days) and finally had a chance to pop in the power tubes this morning and it sounds great. I have read about Fishers and soundstage, and even in my garage with some small Ampeg 6x9 full range speakers positioned in a lees than optimal place, it sounded so real. Cleaned all the pots and switches and they are all functioning as new. I do have a slight hum in one channel that I assume will disappear with new caps. My initial thinking was to part this baby out to fund some of the other projects I have in the works, but I am really digging this amp. Gonna have to restore it:thmbsp: