Do Not do this to your classic Fender Deluxe Reverb Guitar amp Collectors value destroyed bummer

Fender 67 Deluxe Reverb amp in bad condition. A few tech's in the past left their mark. My mission, return it to stock condition and sound. This poor amp has seen better days. I will do my best to bring it back into specs.

[scottbch]

Sharpie marker can be removed from non porous surfaces with rubbing alcohol. Try a little solvent (brake cleaner, acetone, lacquer thinner) if alcohol doesn't work.

[timothymallon]

4:50 in defense of the repairs, 30 years ago, when most of the "repairs" were performed, I doubt that the amp shop, or even the customer, were thinking about future value. They were thinking at the time that the parts they had available would return the amp to a serviceable condition and the owner could get back to playing. As far as Sharpie on the inside, I don't think it would take a whole lot to remove it. A little acetone and it's gone.

[tomcurrie]

Those sockets are fine. I've used many.
Sharpie isn't permanent. Take a rag with rubbing alcohol and wipe it off.

[elvissuperkarate]

I got this Amp in 85. The other guitar player in my band hated the amp I had and cut me a deal. It was a used amp and a tool. This amp was with me in LA in the late 80s. It was gigged by me and borrowed by roommates and friends and gigged by them. In the early 90s it toured the US.. I sold it after that to a friend with the caveat if I ever wanted it back I could have it back. I had quit playing guitar by that time. He'd let it go for awhile and it passed through a couple different owners. He got it back in the early 2ks. He resold it and I got it back a couple years ago. All the mods were done in that in between time. As far as the graffiti it doesn't bother me. Also I know that one of the names in there was a past owner. D-LAB offered to clean it and I said spend the time making it great sounding. The amp has no collectable value because it's not for sale and never will be. I told D-LAB do what you need to make it a great sounding Fender Deluxe. I'm thrilled that D-LAB is able to take this project on and a Final Note I would be honored to have Terry's name in my amp.

[christopherventer]

I dunno. I personally wouldn't mind getting an amp with tech signatures and details of what work has been done over the years. That's part of its history and could be useful info to have.

[danielcgomez]

I'd say that back when the guy did that work, no one was collecting these 'old' amps ...I got my 2 70s era Fender Deluxe Reverb & Twin Reverb for near nothing back in '95. The guy I got them off of was getting rid of his junk to make way for something that was relevant in '95 ...I can't remember what the amp was, lol ...but I'm a happy camper for sure!

[ScottMcCulloughBmax]

The chances are slim that invoices and other paperwork will be saved and conveyed to the new owners every time the amp is sold. When I worked as a mechanic, I appreciated getting information about previous service from the techs who did the work. Most owners never save receipts, and if they do those receipts will almost certainly be crumpled in a pile somewhere. Far better to have concise service notes written directly on the components than to have to hunt through a messy glovebox hoping to find previous documentation.

[ericfriedman]

OMG, there are so many products out there that will remove the magic marker without messing with the electrical part inside. It's not like the person that did that stamped it into the metal.

[richard]

I got one of these in the shop about four months ago. It needed a cap job in the worst way. I replaced only the filter caps and nothing else, and it sounded absolutely beautiful.

[wadereynoldsgm]

Where's the Cobbler? Definitely thought he would make an appearance around this amp. Thanks, Terry!

[daveanderson]

“Permanent” marker isn’t really permanent on hard surfaces like metal. Acetone usually will remove it. Lacquer thinner definitely will remove it.

[KCKEP]

Heck .. Half the fun of tube amps is modifying them :-) The problem with "collecting" is that it removes the most desirable equipment from circulation and out of the hands of musicians :-)

[Tonetwisters]

These are wonderful amplifiers. Perhaps the most articulate amp Fender ever made. As a player of 60 years ... I recommend a FULL RESTORATION! I WILL also recommend that all amp techs TYPE a list of what they do to an amp, thus ensuring that people can read it, and not have to struggle to read their poor, hurried handwriting!

[orbitingeyes]

Sharpie marker can be removed with isopropyl alcohol or denatured alcohol which wouldn't hurt the chassis at all.

[waaos]

I agree with Scott below. I have cleaned all sorts of Sharpie love notes off, on equipment with either Isopropyl or Acetone. I agree with Terry 100%, write the love notes on your invoice. Chicken writing on the chassis looks very unprofessional and sub-highschoolish. .
I do use small labels with a label maker for denoting tube ID's on a chassis as did the OEM. Black on Clear, looks very professional and helps. I do this to keep me straight while I'm working. They can be easily removed but for future service the tube labels are helpful.

[davedavid]

I wish I had taken better care of my 72 Dodge Challenger that I bought in 79 as a senior in high school for $1600. Who knew?

[DaveGVideo]

I feel your pain. That was definitely an extreme case, but I’ve seen a lot of ugly fixes and mods. My thought with something like that is whether the transformers really needed to be changed or was it a shotgun fix... or someone thinking they were going to “improve” something. I’m sure you’ll come to a reasonable balance between the owners desire and making it right.

[Cpt_Adama]

I personally use a labeler to document repairs and affix the stickers to the inside of the equipment on a panel or cover, where it is out of sight and also removable.

[brianmccowan]

This comment by the amp owner is key IMO: "The amp has no collectable value because it's not for sale and never will be. I told D-LAB do what you need to make it a great sounding Fender Deluxe." I find it frustrating that people get so damn fixated on the collectible value of amps. Its a musical instrument! Fix what it takes to make it sound great again. That can be done and I'm sure that is what D-Lab will do. I find it amusing that it is considered acceptable to change parts in a vintage Fender guitar and not in amps. I've had people tell me that they will not change filter caps in an old Fender as it hurts the value - BS. And don't get me started on "reliced" guitars - dumbest trend ever; old amps are supposed to look brand new and guitars are supposed to look like they were trashed by a drunken gorilla in a smoky barroom. Five years from now Fender may be producing amps with torn tweed, cigarette burns, and scribbles on the chassis for all we know. And, hey you kids, get off my lawn!

[hestheMaster]

Old Sharpie marker writing usually can be removed with IPA ( 91 % isopropyl alcohol) or Acetone ( don't use it
on plastics). It isn't permanent as it claims. Horrible soldering job with cheap components. Hacked and wacked.