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Post subject: Re: New old amp
Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 11:05 pm
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
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


The Celestion Gold alnico is a definite upgrade over the anemic OEM speaker!

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: New old amp
Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2017 9:52 pm
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Well, the Gibson Explorer amp came today. It was WELL packed. Like it could have withstood one of those "bunker buster" bombs. :lol:

It's a heavy amp, for its wattage. More like a DR weight (nearly 40 pounds). Versus the PR weight of around 25 pounds. Part of extra weight is prolly the composite fiberboard construction. 3/4-inch thick stuff. Anyhow, early photos. Will get into amp's guts later tomorrow. Note the Tone Tubby Humbolt 10-inch alnico speaker replacement.

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Post subject: Re: New old amp
Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2017 10:30 pm
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
Part of extra weight is prolly the composite fiberboard construction. 3/4-inch thick stuff.


+1

It's built like the early Ampegs from the '60s.

Looks to be in near-pristine condition, congrats on an excellent score.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: New old amp
Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2017 12:08 am
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Photo of circuit. Looks like previous owner replaced PSU caps with JJ dual section caps. And did some other seemingly interesting mods. Will listen to amp tomorrow and decide next course, if any.

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Post subject: Re: New old amp
Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2017 3:08 am
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You can sure tell that Leo's trained cadre of señoritas didn't wire that thing.

What a mess!

:lol:

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: New old amp
Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2017 4:09 am
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I totally dig that convenient bracket for storing the footswitch!


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Post subject: Re: New old amp
Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2017 6:35 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
You can sure tell that Leo's trained cadre of señoritas didn't wire that thing.

What a mess!

:lol:

Arjay


The best thing to do with these truly point-to-point messes (and I've seen hi-fi amps that used NO circuit board or tag board) --- is replace one component at a time. It's so easy to reverse polarity!

Check out this mess. Nytone amp of the 1960s. Like the way the fuse is soldered in place? :oops:

Image


Stoopy wrote:
I totally dig that convenient bracket for storing the footswitch!


The seller said not to use this (as is) ---- if you are going to haul amp around. It's not that secure and can take some tubes out, while you are bouncing down the road. I'm gonna look into securing the pedal better, so holder can be used.

:D


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Post subject: Re: New old amp
Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2017 6:59 am
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
I'm gonna look into securing the pedal better, so holder can be used.


A strip or two of velcro might be useful......

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: New old amp
Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2017 1:38 pm
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Military minds think alike. 100mph tape-na, Velcro-that'll get it done :) .
Really nice looking Gibson. As long as its quiet, the wire is what it is.


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Post subject: Re: New old amp
Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2017 8:22 pm
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Started to dig into amp.

Old cap cans removed.

Image

New F&T.

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Post subject: Re: New old amp
Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2017 6:35 pm
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Had to order some parts. Of course, Gibson uses completely different value resistors in their PSU and cathode-tied networks, than Fender. :lol:

Someone has modified this amp. Cathode network off EL84 is different than stock. Some other minor voicing changes. And the interstage transformer looks to be bypassed. Will try amp out, as is, with new PSU caps. See how it sounds.


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Post subject: Re: New old amp
Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2017 1:49 pm
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Any progress?


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Post subject: Re: New old amp
Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2017 5:37 pm
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Parts are on their way. I get most of my resistors (Mills WW and NOS AB) from Parts Connexion, in Canada. They are great, but... land mail from them is always slow. Maybe, by next week.

:fingerscrossed: :)


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Post subject: Re: New old amp
Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2017 7:57 pm
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Yup, that border transition in Chicago is always busy.


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Post subject: Re: New old amp
Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2017 6:38 pm
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Got most supplies today. Started replacing parts in PSU. Put in new caps, UF5408 diodes, and wire-wound resistors.

Before:

Image

After:

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