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Restoration of tube amplifier. Challenger CHA10. Vintage amp overhaulin & #039;

Restoring a battered Challenger CHA10 tube amplifier from the 1950s: new paint, knobs, a guitar input, fresh tubes and a brighter, revived sound.

Restoration of tube amplifier. Challenger CHA10. Vintage amp overhaulin & #039;

This article does not have much preamble ... The thing is that, as I was already in the wave of vintage amplifiers, I decided to restore one of them that was quite deteriorated: A Challenger CHA10 from the 50s or 60s.

The original idea was to work only on the paint, but then it occurred to me to change the knobs, add a fuse (I didn't have one), change the position of the logo, add a guitar input using a 1/4 jack and additionally touch up some components. electronics to add more shine, because the original sound is quite opaque ... Well, finally I also decided to change the tubes as I get them.

Researching the internet I came across a photo of what the amp must have looked like in its prime. The truth is I didn't like the colors so much.

Original Bogen Challenger CHA10 amplifier, with its gray perforated cabinet and front knobs

Mine, however, was not in such a good state of preservation. This is how the cage was.

Worn metal enclosure of the Challenger CHA10 before restoration

Here are some photos of the chassis.

Amplifier chassis with the original 1950s wiring and capacitors

As can be seen in the following photo (here I had already dismantled the transformer) use 4 empty tubes, including an EZ81 as a rectifier and a 6L6 in the power amp. It is a "single ended".

Top view of the chassis with the 6AV6, 6AU6, 6L6 and EZ81 tube sockets
CHA10 rear panel with 4, 8 and 16 ohm speaker outputs and the phono input

Here is a photo of the amp after the painting process, while testing the color of the knobs (where I am now).

The restored amplifier: blue perforated cabinet and copper-colored knobs

More photos of the restoration can be seen on the Polestar blog:

http://www.opendireito.com/tecnologia/item/49-challenger-cha10-restored.html


Like reviving valve gear? See another restoration of an old amplifier and learn how a tube amplifier works. More in Electronics.

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