Alnicomagnet "Smooth Chocolate" Tone Control Mod Kit Fender Excelsior

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Hi and welcome to this listing for my “Smooth Chocolate” tone control mod kit, developed for the Fender Excelsior valve combo.
IntroductionI currently produce two tone control kits for the FenderExcelsior amplifier: the “Smooth Chocolate” and the “DarkChocolate”The stock amp has a rudimentary “Bright/Dark”tone switch which many people find too extreme in use, “Bright” beingtoo bright, harsh, and piercing, and “Dark” being too dark.My “Smooth Chocolate” kit replaces the switchwith a continuously variable treble lift/treble cut tone control, using veryhigh quality parts, (Alpha 24mm pot, silver mica, and Mallory 150M Series capacitors).It’s loosely based on the Fender Brownface Deluxe/ Marshall 1974design but using different value components.It has tested very well and is a great improvement over the stock switch.
My “Dark Chocolate” kit is similar but differsby being a heavy treble cut design, this being preferable in “BluesHarp” applications where feedback can be a big problem.This listing is for my “Smooth Chocolate” kit.
It includes a nice brown chocolate coloured knob, which closely matches the stock knobs and cabinet covering.Instructions and pictures are kept in a folder. The folder is stored on a download site (dropbox). You will receive a download link via email which will be sent to you at the same time as you receive confirmation from eBay that the kit has been shipped. I will use your PayPal registered email address unless you inform me of an alternative preferred email address.
Important! Dropbox has recently changed and now requires you to open an account with them before you can access the files.You will need a pdf reader to access the instructions. You will need a picture viewer to view the pictures.

Tools needed Installationof the modifications requires only basic soldering tools and a few itemsavailable from your local hardware or electronics store. You will need: Agood quality general purpose soldering iron with stand (rated at about 25W) Solderand a good desoldering pump or desoldering braid. Safetyglasses or goggles. Amultimeter, preferably with a digital screen, and a couple of alligator clipsto attach the probes to component leads Variousscrewdrivers, including a set of small jewellers screwdrivers Smallside-cutters Smallneedle-nosed (radio) pliers Maskingtape or sticky tape Adesk-mounted light or illuminated magnifying glass (useful but not essential) A or 3/8 drive metric socket set and/or a set of small metric spanners (wrenches) Youmay need a resistor with a value over 100K, preferably with a safeworking voltage of 500volts or over Around file or a stepped drill bit with an electric drill. A flat file

Hi Nigel,

I have received the kit yesterday and immediately modded the amp in the evening :-).

Your kit, together with the instructions is so well designed, that a 6-y-o child (under some supervision) would probably be able to do it. The only hard part, at least for me, and perhaps due to the lack of the right tools was cutting the screws at thevery end ;-).

The mod makes Excelsior sound right (I wonder what was the idea in using this poor switch instead of the pot by Fender). And beside the control of the tone, it has also removed some kind of harshness that was present at the edge of the sound. Now I lovemy amp a lot more and it is really a versatile, crazy little beast. When I will record something I can send you some samples if you like to show the modded amp sound. And of course I am going to credit your wonderful mod wherever I will have the opportunityto do so.

Thank you once again!

Cheers,

Filip Wyrwa

Thanks Nigel,

Just finished the mod and it has now made the amp usable.

It was very piercing before, and made it impossible to use.

John

Hi Nigel, I installed my Smooth Chocolate kit yesterday.I wanted to thank you for providing such comprehensive instructions.It made the installation simple (even for me).I sincerely appreciate the effort you put in to developing and supporting your kits.I have previously used your Epiphone Valve Junior kit.That kit is awesome too!Cheers Matt Olle

Hi Nigel –

I got the directions and photos immediately upon payment, and the parts arrived a couple of days ago. I completed the modification this morning.

What an improvement in the tone of the amplifier! The instructions were clear and easy to follow, the final look is clean and nice, and most importantly it vastly improves the sound.

Thank you for a smooth transaction and a great product,

Matthew Wonson

Category: Musical Instruments:Pro Audio Equipment:Amplifiers
Location: Rochdale, Lancashire