NAD Just Arrived 1970 Guild Thunderbird 2x12 Amplifier

[txbumper57]

Just took delivery on my 1970 Guild Thunderbird amp. I honestly can't believe the condition it is in. Original Tubes and looks like it was never played. The tone is awesome and the reverb blows away any Fender I have ever had. The Reverb sounds like you are at one end of a long cathedral and you are listening from the other. Just Amazing! Has anyone ever done a three prong conversion on one of these? Just curious of what all it consists of. hopefully I'll Have some pics up soon.

 

[txbumper57]

 

[AcornHouse]

Just did a 3-prong on a Thunderbass. Until resident guru Default comes around; it's not that involved, AS LONG AS YOU BE AWARE OF SHOCK HAZARDS INSIDE. (standard warning, just make sure you check for voltages with multimeter before you touch things inside)

Basically, you are taking the capacitor that is intended to ground the old cord out. Then you desolder the white and black wires from the 2-prong cord where they are attached and remove cord with strain relief. You will need to attach the green wire in the new cord to the chassis close to where it enters with some type of lug, the mounting bolt of a transformer is good. Solder the new white to where the old white was attached, and the black to black.
Check continuity and grounding from the plug to the chassis.

Steve may have some corrections, but that's the basics.

 

[AcornHouse]

Oh, almost forgot.

NICE! Interesting 3 handles on the side.

 

[txbumper57]

Thanks, The Handles I believe were installed by the original owner(I am owner number 3). The opposite side of the handles actually has 4 rubber feet mounted on it. and the bottom has a nice piece of Oak with casters added. Makes it easy to move around once you get it out of the box. Believe it or not I had it shipped from Oregon to Houston,TX.

 

[mavuser]

oh wow u got that one? congrats!!! that's the monster. I believe the handles are original, unless you mean they were "upgraded." not sure which reverb circut and components that has, but yeah some of these Guild amps are pretty crazy. nice score! it looks to be in mint condition.

 

[txbumper57]

Thanks Mavuser, The story goes that the amp was bought new in 1970 by the original owner and used sparingly in his basement. About 5 years ago he passed away and the Gentleman I bought it from purchased it from his widow. The owner before me stated that the handles were on there when he got it and he thought the Original owner installed them along with the casters. Either way they come in handy. This thing is Three foot three inches tall and weighs in at about 87lbs. The guy also sent me the original Guild pedal to switch the verb amd trem on and off and a set of NOS Tubes for it. The tubes in it now still sound great but it never hurts to have replacements for the 12AX7/7025's and the 6GW8.

 

[mavuser]

not gonna bet the farm on it, but i'm somewhat confident those handles and casters are all original from Guild...two hands on the wheel steering that ship! Although if you are lucky it won't have to go very far. enjoy!