First off, I'm new here though I have been lurking for a while as I plotted on getting a Marshall. Te last Marshall I had was a 100 watt Super Lead I bought new in 1971 (I think). I sold it after college, as my glory days of playing in a band were over and I embarked on a full time career. Since then I have owned many different Fenders and am no stranger to working on them. But then this Metro JTM-45 popped up on Craig's list for a great price and I did not resist the impulse to nab it!
I could see from the photos that whoever built it was, well, not very experienced. Oh it worked, and it sounded pretty dang good, but I knew it could be better. So I set to work tidying things up. I even discovered there was no ground wire from the 1st preamp cathode! Idon't know how the amp even worked. I am still waiting on a few parts, like more Sozos to replace the caps that aren't already Sozos, and a set of NOS carbon comps for all the tone path positions.
So far it sounds amazing through the Weber 12 in my Deluxe Reverb. I guess I'll need a dedicated cab for it at some point.
Here are the obligatory pics:
Here she is all dressed up:
Here's the chassis as I got it:
And here's the chassis so far:
I'll update once I get the new parts in.
Got a used Metro JTM-45, now for some updates
Moderator: VelvetGeorge
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- New Member
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- New Member
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Tue Jan 11, 2011 7:51 am
- Just the numbers in order: 7
Re: Got a used Metro JTM-45, now for some updates
Here's a close up where you can see how I re-did the grounding of the pots. The amp is quiet as a mouse. No need for the more elaborate Larry grounding. I will replace that cap on the presence pot and the other 3 PI caps with Sozos once they get here. I still need to tidy up that bias wiring as well.
- neikeel
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- Location: Suffolk, England
Re: Got a used Metro JTM-45, now for some updates
Nice work.
These sound best through a 4 x12 but a nice 2x12 will be fine
These sound best through a 4 x12 but a nice 2x12 will be fine
Neil
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Re: Got a used Metro JTM-45, now for some updates
Here's pretty much the final version with all the Sozo's and NOS carbon comps installed. Sounds fantastic. It's got more chime than an AC30 at moderate volume.