Meet Blackie: Master tech repairs vintage tube gear
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ก.ย. 2024
- Check out Blackie’s website that’s chock full of useful info, www.blackiepag...
Quoting from the website “I have loved music all my life, played guitar and bass since i was 11, played professionally, and worked in technical audio for 30 years.
First as a roadie, then a live sound engineer, then a recording engineer, then a studio tech, and for the last 29 years, a tube audio mechanic / tuner and high performance audio builder.
I fix or upgrade anything that makes or passes music and utilizes vacuum tubes - guitar and bass amps vintage or modern, mic and phono preamps, line amps, compressor/limiters, hi-fi systems.”
You can find more interviews like this on my Audiophiliac for a Day playlist.
Another great guest. While not my profession, restoring/fixing old tube and solid state gear as a hobby is a lot of fun. You also get to hear and play with a small part of audio history.
The first time I walked into Blackie's workshop it brought back old memories of my Dad's basement workshop. The smell of tubes is so unique. Keep up the great work Blackie. Thanks for the video, Steve.
The people and the hobby is way more interesting than the gear alone! Keep these up!
This was amazing. What a great guy. I love to see guys making it work in NY.
Hangin' in like Gunga Din! Everytime I sign a new lease i breathe a sigh of relief for another year. I play by NYC rules, don't bitch to your landlord and pay your rent religiously on time, haha.
What a cool guy.
He looks like a mad scientist. Thanks Steve!
It was absolutely fascinating, to listen to you and Blackie.
Wow, very interesting. This man is such a valued resource. He is a doctor!
Good to know that there is someone in NYC that does (guitar) amp work; tube that is. I saw that tweed amp there.
Too bad he doesn't do solid state.
Oh well... still a vital resource.
Very cool. Thank you!
Steve.. You should do a series of videos on the NY scene of tube amp builders/deisigners.. From JC Morrisson, Noriyasu Komuro, the late Don Garber of Fi, the late Dr. Arthur Loesch, and Dave Slagle of Intact Audio, etc.. You already started with Blackie.. I think Herb can help out in that dept.. Herb did import Tango transformers from Japan in the 90’s. Although here Blackie was talking about Tamura @ 5:15
That's a great idea Rick! In the brief format of this video, I spoke about my very beginnings of learning about tube audio, but my later experiences with all the guys you mentioned were formative. I learned so much about materials and design from J.C. Morrison and Komuro and all the other guys you mentioned, and of course J.C. and I created the nyNOISE audio design exhibition which ran here in NYC for 5 years or so. Herb had Eddy Electric and imported Tango transformers and lived in a firehouse on Staten Island at that time.
Blackie is a cool cat. Really knows his way around tube gear.
One of your best so far Steve. My main system is a vintage amplifier. Thanks for this.
Love these expert interviews. Thx Steve.
Blackie tuned up a few of my guitar amps a bunch of years back. Genuinely cool guy. His workshop was so invitingly chaotic, like it is here.
Steve, I absolutely loved this spot. Thanks!
Gioachino Pagano (Blackie) is fascinating. Please bring him back to exhibit one of his rehabs.
Thanks to this video, I brought my McIntosh preamp to Blackie for repairs. He did an amazing job.
Great guest. Thanks.
great video Steve amazing knowledge this guy has and so laid back awesome.
Steve - one of your best videos ever. Great to learn about vintage gear and especially tube maintenance for newbies. One of my friends was recently pining after the 503-C he grew up with, I have never owned tube gear before, but will soon be buying a Schiit Saga, and this video definitely has helpful info if I ever want to try rolling tubes. Thanks again.
Thanks for doing this. Cheers
Man, wish I had this guys skills! Can imagine the gear he gets to tinker with. Cool
I love this guy!!!
Love seeing vintage stuff,it's art to me.
Genuine interesting and knowledgeable person. Just hope the next generation has this type of passion and experience to carry the torch.
Fascinating video, thanks Steve & Blackie
Tubes a labor of love
Tube amps make me smile.
I enjoyed this video....I visited Blackie’s website and his customer list is very cool. I should list my famous customers whom have visited my Record Store in Raleigh NC (Record Krate). Great job Steve and Blackie.
In Japanese society, the "elder statesmen" of the arts and craft world are considered to be "National Treasures", and are treated with the utmost respect. It`s a shame that we don`t have a similar system of appreciation here in the U.S. for craftsmen like Blackie. Thanks for sharing this, Steve !
Outstanding video, what a great guy! Love these informative videos, thanks!
Thanks so much for this...these are heirloom quality
Very cool visit.
Great video. Great guest. Wish I had part of his talent.
Blackie, you need a youtube channel. Just tell funny stories and BS around. Seriously, just a video a week would be awesome, don't overthink it.
Amazing video! Really interesting. That's Steve!
Fascinating.
Great interview! Thanks!
Happy to have grown up just in time to use some sweet analog scopes and to also know how clunky and gross the early digital scopes were. The first time you use FFT to fix something though there's no going back :)
My QA 401 is aces for audio work.
i own a couple of Fisher amplifiers and they are simply amazing 1964-1966 and can drive my Kappa 9 and sound brilliant getting the original 7591 valves next to impossible now
Drive your Kappa 9s???? I am up to 600 watt Bryston monoblocks (7BSST2) on Kappa 8s up from 300 watt 4BSST and it is "barely" enough power. What can those Fisher amps crank out at 2 ohms?
@@roymindmybusiness6908 interesting. Have you replaced or had repaired the polydome mids? Also are you saying PMC are the drivers for the Bryston speakers?
the polydomes are a nightmare ! no my polydomes are ok but i also have new old stock -got them from Singapore in 2000 and have left them sealed in there packing i also have Emits spare but stupidly i never got S Emits which the Kappa 8 does not have and that was a dumb move they cost a fortune now - Honestly your speakers should sound brilliant if not get your crossovers done by an expert -not an idiot you will be shocked at the difference it will make 30 years old so some parts will be out of tolerance
PMC loudspeakers are a company that has partnered with Bryston to use there amps with there monitor speakers so your mono 7bsst2 really work fabulous with say the PMC MB2S pmc-speakers.com/products/professional/passive - I have heard those amps with the previous model and devastating ! there midrange is a killer -bass as well 120 db
I have a plan to mod my 9 with a new dome 3 inch midrange if it comes to that and I will then make the speakers active etc
@@roymindmybusiness6908 interesting. I never knew of the S Emit as you say mine are the K version. Yeah I love these 8s. I had one polydome dome fail and pulled it myself. I bought a half dozen of the polydomes with the metal grilles from the 8.1 that I bought around 2003. They were new and sound good but not as good as the original polydome. Not bad though and the dome is "new". There is a guy in PA that rebuilds them I forget his name but audiokarma has threads on him 180 bucks for two repaired with new domes that are supposed to be superior to original. I spoke with him and he seemed to know what was what. I also just noticed these replacement mids. www.ebay.com/itm/Infinity-4-ohm-Copy-Dome-Midrange-for-902-3075-Kappa-6-7-8-9-Speaker-MM-2150-4/152721363420?epid=2269765472&hash=item238ee711dc:g:J1gAAOSwAf5ZzWkw
@@roymindmybusiness6908 it's Bill Miller at Millersound that apparently does the best rebuilds of the polydomes but is only US shipping? The other ones from midwestspeakerrepair don't seem to fit the need. I am going to replace the one in my Kappa 8 when it fails to a "NOS" one with the grille to match the one I just replaced. Apparently the Millersound rebuild is "better" than original so worth a couple of hundred bucks to have him a pair when the "time comes".
I may be the same vintage as Blackie. My first real job was repairing tube audio equipment, mostly German import that was brought back by returning military personnel. I apprenticed under a very talented German immigrant who took me under his wing. Apprenticeships will be necessary as Gerald notes below to keep these wonderful devices working to their potential.
It's going to take a veteran guitarist to know if the tube amp is distorting "good" or the tube amp is distorting "bad". Gotta get that crunch spot on.
Audio Note used to sell an amp that used tubes from WWII bombers!
I'm hoping he has an apprentice, or is training new blood in some other way. We must pass on the more esoteric knowledge
If u can fix it , u can keep it !!!
New Yorkers are the best.
Freaking great content Steve. How do you keep doing it!?
Big Blue I’m inspired, I love audio, thanks
What an intriguing and fantastic video! Thrilled I came across it. I wonder if Blackie knew of some tech named 'The Fisher Doctor' (Al Pugliese), somewhere near NYC. I heard about him, and now that my father passed and left me his still working Fisher 500C (it was in a huge wooden furniture console, and in like new condition), I need it checked out and 'brought up to date and spec'. Still has the original Telefunken tubes, and my father only used it a few times a year. I'm in the NYC area twice a year, driving in from Cleveland to visit my mom, and i've been thinking seriously about bringing the 500C to a qualified tube tech there, since there doesn't seem to be one in the Cleveland area (if anyone knows of any, please do tell). I'll probably give Blackie a call. In closing, I wonder if he's an Amateur Radio operator/enthusiast, since his workshop reminds me of some 'Hams' I used to know that used to work with old tubed Ham Radio 'boat anchors' (Collins, Hallicrafter, Hammarlund, Drake, Swan, Yaesu, etc.).
I think it's funny that Steve thinks direct-wired circuits are more difficult to work on than circuit boards. Old circuit boards can be very time consuming to extract to work on, and like to delaminate traces. SMDs may require a microscope to work on. You can isolate many parts simply by pulling some tubes. You may have to de-solder to test solid state parts.
@BlankBrain
Yep, Steve once again showing his lack of knowledge within the audio world. Miracles never cease though cuz the man has made a living having an opinion backed by a lack of knowledge! Good for him it’s a free society or at least supposed to be which means even the less knowledgeable can earn a living.
My dream job
Wow !!
Cool guy
Next trip Steve: Natl Analogique on 20th.
Fun show
great video! i wish he could recommend some nos...
It's case by case with those. Buyer beware.
Blackie sounds just like Liam Neeson
Hi Steve I have watching your videos for a while now great job I am a poor working audiophile ha ha apartment maintenance tech here in Memphis Tn I have a Paragon 12 A that hums no one in Memphis wants to fool with is it worth keeping and restored with I do can you give me some advice. I just watch this video with the guy Blackie advice please. Thank You Jimmie in Memphis
That whole weeding out tubes thing is scary for the OCD Audiophile who now after watching this video is wondering if he has questionable performance. Yikes
The realization a couple years back that I really need a curve tracer to eval tubes "opened my mind" to maybe accepting some solid state solutions for a few things. Also, realized that tone controls on vintage stuff are cool for making little adjustments to L/R channel matching. I always viewed them as being for people who wanted to shake the house down with more bass before :)
@@JayMisuraca for sure, and the components in these pieces as built were rated +/- 10%. While L/R channel matching is often very close, we don't freak out about making little adjustments to balance and tone controls to get things sounding right.
Had a early 70s Marshall 100 head. Awesome sound, but, broke down a lot. Biggest takeaway from this. If you go the tube route be prepared for regular maintenance
When properly set up and used with a matched load, these amps are quite durable. But tubes run on high voltages and wear out, so maintenance is definitely a thing. Once a year is what I, and most manufacturers, recommend.
Ha, his name is Blackie
Gioachino, if you must know. Try and remember that! ;)
Let me guess, he only wears black.
What is a “lar”? Steve said we are here with Blackie in his lar...
"Lair"...maybe?
I like to call it my Underground Laboratory (its a basement workspace)
Gioachino Pagano @looks like a fun place to work in.
You cut him off at the end
ha! thanks, but he got all the important stuff ;) and Steve does all these in one take, no edits just like all your favorite classic recordings of music.
This is why u can’t find any used gear! The prices are nuts!
If he needs an apprentice...!
MC 275 💋
Blackie, you worked at Avatar Studios?
ServisSound on 46th St., midtown Manhattan. 2 Floors, every format.
If I am correct, it is now named as “Platinum Sound Recording Studios”. Wow, that is a fantastic, state of the art recording facility! May I invite you to the website of one of my “old mentors”? He more or less walked the same career path as you did. For the last 15 years or so, he only does repairs & modifications exclusively on tube-amps. The only difference with you is that we live in Belgium, which is the other side of the planet and 10.000 times smaller than the US, ha-ha! Thanks for the video Steve and Blackie, really appreciated! www.n-e-l.be
Can l send my tubed DAC for fixing?
Your best bet for that would be to contact the manufacturer.
It's a shame you don't do solid state.
👍 📹