Kendrick Tremolux Restoration

1957 Tremolux, condition: TRASHED.. Original Jenson scraped and replaced with a 15" Radio Shack special, also meaning that the baffle board was chopped to accomodate the 15, tweed ripped off and re-covered with poorly applied black Tolex. Mis-matched 6V6's, different brands unlike anything I've seen, hardware store stuff.. Grill cloth intact but replaced with amateur hack material. It would power on, but as can be expected, the sound was bad. Low volume, crackly, erratic. Like a cheap radio on a stormy night.

Fortunatly, the wiring was all original, all original caps as well.. no internal damage or hack.

Paid $50.00 and gave the Radio Shack back !!

After doing a good bit of research, Kendrick Amplifiers came up consistantly as the place to bring your tired, your poor, your neglected Fender.
Called up Gerald Weber at Kendrick and told him of my recent aquisition and what we could do about making it correct as well as what the voicing would be. I've got to add, that in speaking with Gerald numerous times, this is a guy that LOVES what he's doing. And he's not afraid of sharing knowlege. Great to know !

So we decided on a re-tweed, as well as a complete cap job, Parasitic oscilation suppression, and just a good overall going over.

Dan Albrecht handles the work on this amp.

Upon return of the amp, I plug it up and boom ! INSTANT tweed tone.. Bratty is the best word to describe it. The amp starts breaking up around 3 1/2, but I keep it on 9 and use the volume on the guitar
The sound with the guitar volume on around 6-7 gives you a very *lush swirl" is the best I can describe it. very full, somewhat of a dark voice. This is due in part to the Weber (no relation to Gerald) P12N speaker. Very good re-creation of the alnico Jenson.

Anyhow, I put a tubescreamer in front of this, and run it in combo with a tweed Blues Jr., which is voiced very similar, but is a bit more aggresive, and the overall tone shimmers at semi-clean volume, and when pushed is VERY defined and authoritative. Smooth, creamy, but also VERY bratty and snarly. The tremolo is very deep and fat.
I tested this rig last weekend wilst jamming with friends, Drums, keyboards and 3 guitar players. It cuts thru very well..

Truthfully, I'm REALLY liking this combo, and my 68' 50 watt Plexi is getting jealous !

Opening the amp up to look at the work I'm smiling. Dan Albrecht's work is neat and precise. All solder joints solid and shiny. component leads formed at the proper angles. Comparing the before and after work on the electronics and you would think aside from the new caps and such, that the internals where never touched. And having a background in electronics this is where the proverbial rubber meets the road. NO hasty or amateur work here at all, very professional, well thought out and executed. You don't get this kind of work today often !

Total work done:

Cap job, AC cord, re-tweed, new baffle board, re-grille baffle board, pots cleaned, one replaced, rewire heaters, rectifier tube, parasitic compression, assorted hardware.

I had sent a Weber P12N to replace the speaker as well as NOS Phillips 6V6 power tubes well as pre-amp tubes, so they are not part of the overall cost form Kendrick.

I give the sound rating a 9 because I would like just a wee bit more snarl, but this would defeat the purpose of keeping the Tremolux true to it's original sound. So, running it in tandem with the Blues Jr. achieves this.

I haven't taken it out on the road yet, just the one jam, as well as an estimated 2 or so hours a day at home for the last month and a half, but all the consturction is solid, the work solid and secure.

It get's a 9 here because, after all, it's a 44 year old amplifier !

Absolutly fantastic customer support. I have spoken with both Gerald and Dan on numerous occasions at length, and not only do they want to work with you to get that sound that YOU are hearing, they like to talk about this stuff !! It's to the point that I feel guilty keeping them on the phone because they could be making $$ doing the work that pays the bills. But they keep talking !
Seriously though, it's attention like this that keeps me a repeat customer, and endorser of their work. They LOVE what they do and it just shows in their performance.

A bit of a note, remember, these guys are musicians too, so it's always good to call them after 1 or so central time. That way, they've got the coffee going thru their system and are ready to go <LOL>

Who would you rather have working on your amp, a 9-5er or a guy that plays and has the ears ??

I do have a suggestion for those that call and ask for advise. Remember, these guys build and repair amps to make the money to pay the mortgage. Keep that in miond when you are on the phone with them. Send 'em some work to keep this service going. It's only fair to support them if they support you.

I would reccomend Kendrick highly to anyone that is serious about having a top notch restoration or repair done to your vintage amp. Not only do you get the flawless repair work, but the support after the sale is peerless.

I have a blackface Bassman that I shall be sending Dan so he can get a bit *stoopid* with a do the EL34 trick to. This should be ALOT of fun !!!