How to Restore Vintage Music Equipment
Vintage music equipment, like a 70s amplifier or a 60s keyboard provides a unique sound that can’t be found with today's equipment. The good news is there are ways to repair vintage music equipment in order to get the vintage sound.
Supplies:
- Mild abrasive sponge
- Contact cleaner
- Replacement parts
- Denatured alcohol
Instructions:
- Take apart and examine the equipment for rust and damaged wires. Make sure you have a line of replacement parts in case you can’t repair the parts. You need to replace pieces, such as paper capacitors.
- Look at all connections to be sure they are solid. Examine and replace the source of any loose connectors.
- Look at all metal for rust and corrosion. Clean up the parts with denatured alcohol, as well as a mild abrasive sponge. Make sure the sponge has no chemicals. Use 100 percent alcohol as well as a chemical free applicator.
- Take off the knobs and switch covers to see the metal under the items. Examine all the knobs and switches for free movement, rust and corrosion.
- Apply some contact cleaner on the knobs and switches. There might be a thin coating of a mildly conductive material. After you apply the contact cleaner, flip the switch or turn the knob a couple of times in order to work the solution through.
- Put the music equipment back together and test for any more crackling, buzzing and fadeout. If you run into any problems, troubleshoot by moving the knobs and switches. Make sure you insert the cables as well.