It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 9:06 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 21 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
Post subject: 1964 Gibson Discoverer Tremolo
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 4:56 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2007 1:29 pm
Posts: 614
Location: SW Ohio
I LOVE my job. I am an architect and I am in old buildings all the time. You never know what you will find.

I visited a client today and she had just found this buried in the basement of a building she just purchased. Its needs some TLC. It was covered in an inch of filth. The cord is original, been taped together, and scary to use..... I got it home and the amp works. It walked out of the building with me for $50. (or better stated - I am taking $50 off my invoice.

There use to be a music store in the building..... more than 10 years ago. I think they lost track of this thing and it was left behind. It was squirreled away in a dark, unlit area of the basement.

I've taken one shot at cleaning it. I need to spend more time. It's headed to the amp tech tomorrow for a new grounded cord and a review.

1964 Gibson Discoverer Tremolo amp. 15 watts. 12 inch speaker. Still has the foot switch.

There was also an old 1960's microphone with its cord inside the amp. It needs tested... and some research. Can't find any markings.

Image

Image

Image


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: 1964 Gibson Discoverer Tremolo
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 5:32 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
Nice score, Patrick.

Have your amp tech replace the leads from the output tranny to the speaker -- AWG18 multi-strand will be adequate. And for God's sake, solder the wires onto the speaker terminals!

:lol:

You might find a replacement knob on Ebay.

Rawk on!

8)

Arjay

_________________
"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


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 1964 Gibson Discoverer Tremolo
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 5:39 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2007 1:29 pm
Posts: 614
Location: SW Ohio
Retro - as always - Thanks for the advice!!!

Just a fluke of a find. I'll let you know what happens after the tech gets done.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 1964 Gibson Discoverer Tremolo
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 10:25 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
Let us know how it sounds. And post more pics, especially gut shots.

Arjay

_________________
"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


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 1964 Gibson Discoverer Tremolo
Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 2:19 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
Posts: 14049
Location: Province de Québec, Canada
Nice amp, ask also to your tech to check / readjust bias , those amps are often bias very hot , to hot.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 1964 Gibson Discoverer Tremolo
Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 2:35 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
Reprints of the amp's owner's manual (including a schematic) can be found here......

http://www.harpamps.com/gibson/

HTH

Arjay

_________________
"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


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 1964 Gibson Discoverer Tremolo
Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 7:53 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2007 1:29 pm
Posts: 614
Location: SW Ohio
stratele52 wrote:
Nice amp, ask also to your tech to check / readjust bias , those amps are often bias very hot , to hot.


Thanks..... I'll add that to the list.

I want him to give the once over. I have a great tech. Really knows his stuff.

Due to its rough condition, I just want this to be a player.

Retroverbial wrote:
Reprints of the amp's owner's manual (including a schematic) can be found here......

http://www.harpamps.com/gibson/

HTH

Arjay


LOVE page 3

"SERVICE

If the Amplifier is in need of servicing, consult a reliable radio man. The electrical diagram herein should be shown to the repairman to assist him in serving the Amplifier"

Now you would need to find a "reliable amp man" to repair your vintage radio. :lol:


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 1964 Gibson Discoverer Tremolo
Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 10:56 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
Don't forget -- Leo was originally a "radio" man.

:mrgreen:

Arjay

_________________
"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


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 1964 Gibson Discoverer Tremolo
Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 12:15 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
Posts: 14049
Location: Province de Québec, Canada
And in this time '50, '60 and of course before , the only tech with shop on the street are radio tv repairman.
And Vintage tube amps are so simple and easy to repair , same today


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 1964 Gibson Discoverer Tremolo
Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 1:17 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 5:27 pm
Posts: 2000
Location: MN
Retroverbial wrote:
Don't forget -- Leo was originally a "radio" man.

:mrgreen:

Arjay



Ironically, my Dad was a Radioman at a PT Base in the Phillipines in late 1944(?) and 1945.

_________________
I Can't Explain


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 1964 Gibson Discoverer Tremolo
Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 1:34 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
Beaubs wrote:
Ironically, my Dad was a Radioman at a PT Base in the Phillipines in late 1944(?) and 1945.


COOL!

I love Pee Tee Boats. Here's a shot of an eighty-foot Elco, the same type as Jack Kennedy's......

Image

Arjay

_________________
"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


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 1964 Gibson Discoverer Tremolo
Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 2:11 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2007 1:29 pm
Posts: 614
Location: SW Ohio
I remember the TV/Radio repair shops when I was a kid. :lol:

The Fender Dealer in my home town also sold TV's and Stereos. And 45's :lol:

Now days - you just throw it out at the curb and go to Best Buy and get a new one. :(

When we were cleaning out my in-laws' house, I came across a 1939 Philco Radio - originally owned by my wife's grandmother. My brother-in-law had repaired it when he was in High school (40 - 45 years ago). We made sure he got it.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 1964 Gibson Discoverer Tremolo
Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 2:25 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
phansford wrote:
Now days - you just throw it out at the curb and go to Best Buy and get a new one.


There's a lesson here......

:wink:

Arjay

_________________
"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


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 1964 Gibson Discoverer Tremolo
Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 1:31 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
Posts: 14049
Location: Province de Québec, Canada
In '70 I was a radio Tv repairman too.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 1964 Gibson Discoverer Tremolo
Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 10:39 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 5:27 pm
Posts: 2000
Location: MN
Retroverbial wrote:
Beaubs wrote:
Ironically, my Dad was a Radioman at a PT Base in the Phillipines in late 1944(?) and 1945.


COOL!

I love Pee Tee Boats. Here's a shot of an eighty-foot Elco, the same type as Jack Kennedy's......

Image

Arjay



Outstanding!

....my Mom has some nice period photos of not only the Philipine base but some fleet photos and some of the signing of the Japanese surrender - lore has it that may Dad (Bud) "acquired" the photos of the signing of the surrender as they passed through the radio room of his base - not sure if this is true as Bud tended to spin some tall tales in his day......

_________________
I Can't Explain


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 21 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: