GATES Diplomat restoration

Out in Dallas, Steve Lewis, a former ABC Networks "Real Country" jock, decided he wanted a home studio with a classic Gates Diplomat as the main feature, however, he needed it to be stereo and dependable.  I told him I would build dependable works for it, and make the conversion to stereo and add a few custom touches as well.

Lots of dirt, dust and goo.

Losmandy and the folks at Op Amp Labs make it almost too easy to build a dependable, quiet console amplifier.Their 425 modules work as a summing amp and program amplifier with variable gain stages.I included a cue amp, a type 34, and also two mike pre amps: the 360BM.

To clean battle-worn aluminum escutheon plates, I use 1500 grit sandpaper, 00 steel wool, and Mothers Chrome cleaner.

Steve wanted this board to be easy to use, so I wired all the inputs to receive Line Level using a tip/ring/sleeve 1/4" phone jack.  Since the Daven/Shallco pots are actually unbalanced once you get inside the console, their is no problem wiring them this way.  Also his home has no R F to cause a problem! He can connect to two computer sound cards, two headphone amplifiers, and a has a muting monitor out as well.

The hard part of this project was neatly cutting the steel case for that A C connector/filter/fuse holder for the Power One supply.

Here is a GATES SA-40 that has had an interesting life.  I guess it is next.

Looking better all the time

For power, I used a POWER ONE regulated + / - 15 volt supply.  Way overkill!

The knobs received a good cleaning (409 works very well followed by lacquer thinner) then a good polishing with Mothers (brand) Polish. (I love that stuff).

The number plates needed some cleaning, re application of white paint in some cases and a good polish.

Most guys flinch at drilling holes in a panel.  Remote control of the C D players was needed and this is what the Steve and I came up with. I think it turned at pretty well, if I do say so myself.