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Post subject: New old amp
Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 2:13 pm
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Got a 1966 Gibson GA-15RVT Explorer off Net. See how this thing sounds. Suppose to be kinda close to Princeton Reverb --- but running EL84 output tubes. Tell you how it is, when it arrives.

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Post subject: Re: New old amp
Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 3:07 pm
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Looks real clean......obviously never abused.

Sonically? Think "Supro" or "Danelectro".

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: New old amp
Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 3:41 pm
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Nice score! Definitely looks pristine.

Jerry

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Post subject: Re: New old amp
Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 4:25 pm
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Thanks guys! I looked at the schematic, and it's running a different setup. Not only EL84 output tubes, but an interstage choke between phase inverter and output tubes. Kinda like the Fender 300 and 400PS. Minus the 6V6GT or 6L6GC interstage tube. Uses 6EU7 (6 volt 12AX7 type) input, vibrato, & phase inverter (Concertina, like the Princeton amp). And a 12AU7 reverb driver.

Should definitely make for a different sounding amp. :)

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Post subject: Re: New old amp
Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 5:53 pm
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A clean example for sure. Hope you getting it sounding good. I have a buddy with one and it sits in his studio unused because it just never sounds good with any guitar, although he has sung through it a couple times and it passes ok'ish for that. He has had it to a couple different techs and yet it never comes back sounding anything other than like crap!

Again, good luck with it!

T2

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Post subject: Re: New old amp
Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 7:30 pm
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This will be interesting. Someone in the past put a Tone Tubby 10inch alnico replacement speaker. Perhaps the original one was similar to the crappy Oxford speaker Fender put into their Princeton Reverb.


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Post subject: Re: New old amp
Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 7:53 pm
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Nice really clean looking, studio baby maybe.


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Post subject: Re: New old amp
Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 10:37 pm
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
This will be interesting. Someone in the past put a Tone Tubby 10inch alnico replacement speaker. Perhaps the original one was similar to the crappy Oxford speaker Fender put into their Princeton Reverb.


The OEM speaker may have been a CTS alnico, similar to that found in Fender's Super Reverb.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: New old amp
Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 11:49 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
The OEM speaker may have been a CTS alnico, similar to that found in Fender's Super Reverb.

Arjay


That would be a shame. OEM speaker is long gone.


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Post subject: Re: New old amp
Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 12:10 am
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
...an interstage choke between phase inverter and output tubes...


That is a transformer, not a choke.

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Post subject: Re: New old amp
Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 6:01 am
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Nice. 8)

Those Gibby amps are a treat and fairly reasonable. It will be a nice contrast to the Fenders in your collection.


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Post subject: Re: New old amp
Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 6:07 am
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shimmilou wrote:
That is a transformer, not a choke.


Yes it is. Sorry, about mistake. :oops:


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Post subject: Re: New old amp
Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 6:10 am
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phansford wrote:
Nice. 8)

Those Gibby amps are a treat and fairly reasonable. It will be a nice contrast to the Fenders in your collection.


Thanks! You read all kinds of things on the Net about the Explorer amp. From very good to mediocre. It seems to come with OEM Sprague Orange Drop coupling caps. Which is prolly a good thing for a budget amp, of its time.

Never owned a Gibson amp.


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Post subject: Re: New old amp
Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 9:21 am
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
You read all kinds of things on the Net about the Explorer amp. From very good to mediocre.


If I had to fathom the mediocre comments.... it would be about the reverb. That's what I have heard people comment about concerning the Gibson amps. I can't comment as I don't have any with reverb. So I am looking forward to your review once the Explorer gets into your hands. The Tremolo circuits that I have a great. I'd go as far as saying the tremolo on my 1964 Discover Tremolo is the best of any of my amps. The 1960 GA-5T (Skylark) is a single control and it gets heavy very fast. (If that's the right description)

I think Seth Lover is created with creating Gibson's tremolo circuit.

BMW2002Ti wrote:
Never owned a Gibson amp.


I own three... the other one is the rat-box 1960 GA-5 Skylark. It is just the raw redwood cabinet. Someone had ripped off the tolex. But the speaker is the original Jensen. Think tweed Champ. It breaks up at 3. HaHa. And its LOUD for 5 watts. I paid $100 for the rat-box. It is probably my favorite amp. :shock:

I pulled the 1964 Discoverer out of client's building - she had found it in the basement of an old commercial building she bought. The amp was a train wreck. But it was all original. Took $50 off my invoice and put $75 into getting it repaired. The highs are crystalline. The lettering is worn off the controls... you can't read what's what. HaHa.

The Skylark Tremolo I got off of Reverb because my son has laid claim on the rat-box. Luckily he has left the rat-box here while he is in Grad School. HaHa.

Can't wait to hear your review when you get it!


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Post subject: Re: New old amp
Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 12:29 pm
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Thanks, for your thoughts and experiences with this and other vintage Gibson amps. Found this site with photos of another person's restoration.

:mrgreen:


http://www.welcomebackradio.com/ga15rvtupdate.htm


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