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Post subject: Not Fender but just scored this
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 9:02 am
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Gibson GA-25 RVT Hawk, it's a 1964 rust bucket but it works.

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Post subject: Re: Not Fender but just scored this
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 9:05 am
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It is a cool amp my friend! I like anything that was produced in that era. 8) Please tell us more about it sir!! What are all the controls etc.? More pics please from different views.


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Post subject: Re: Not Fender but just scored this
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 9:30 am
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Yes, Crestline era, that's a 2x10, 25W with the 7591 tubes as opposed to the older GA-25 RVT with the single 15 and 6v6. 2 Channels, each with guitar and accordion input like the old Ampegs. Channel 1 is straight up, channel 2 is reverb and tremolo although I have not been able to get tremolo to work, yet. It's not very loud, breaks up real early and the reverb is to die for. It's all original down to the 2 prongs plug and Gibson speakers still have the stickers on. It was even more rusty if you can believe it, but steel wool, WD40 and careful application of Naval Jelly took care of quite a bit. There was some surface rust on the transformers too but it came off pretty clean now.

Channel 1 knobs are, Loudness, Bass, Treble.
Channel 2 knobs are, Loudness, Bass, Treble, Reverberation, Depth, Frequency.

Not sure what it needs, perhaps filter caps to start, I played for maybe 30 mins through it and once it was nice and warm at around 1 O clock it started making a kind of high pitch hum, not loud though noticeable. I believe those amps run hot though. I have a Gemini VI I may keep and sale the Hawk as is.


Last edited by atolleter on Fri Nov 18, 2011 9:39 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Not Fender but just scored this
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 9:36 am
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Thanks for the description and congratulations on a great little amp. Sounds like it would be perfect for an at home amp!! :wink:


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Post subject: Re: Not Fender but just scored this
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 9:41 am
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Added more info while editing.


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Post subject: Re: Not Fender but just scored this
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 11:25 am
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Excellent - Tell us the wheres, the hows, the whats, and the whys.

I have to say I am enjoying the '64 Discoverer Tremolo I found a couple of weeks ago. Just a different sound. Nothing wrong with having a few other brands to compliment your Fenders. :wink:


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Post subject: Re: Not Fender but just scored this
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 11:42 am
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Got it on eBay for $140, figured I couldnt go wrong. I'll play with it for a while, it's bigger than I thought though. Good bedroom amp if you have the room, my Gemini is actually even bigger. I stay true to Fender though :) there's a 64 Bandmaster turned to 5 with original cab in the basement. Is the tremolo working on your Discoverer?


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Post subject: Re: Not Fender but just scored this
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 12:44 pm
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The Tremolo is FANTASTIC. (Rumble anyone - :lol: ) And like you and your Hawk.... I was surprised how big it is compared to my Fenders of similar ilk. (SF Princetons and a tweed Harvard). Its only 15 watts and doesn't necessarily get louder when its cranked. It stays very clean..... it will break up at 7. It has crystal clear highs.

These old Gibson amps are overlooked. The local shop owner was talking up the older Gibson's. His point being they will give you different sound then the Fenders AND they are basically a steal. I wasn't looking for a Gibson amp..... this thing just fell into my lap. I got lucky and its a fantastic amp. Lots of fun. :lol:

Excellent score.... CONGRATS.


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Post subject: Re: Not Fender but just scored this
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 12:46 pm
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Cool score!

Many of the speakers Gibson used in these early '60s amps were CTS alnico's -- they're solid drivers and sound great when pushed with some compression and overdrive.

Rawk on!

8)

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Not Fender but just scored this
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 1:19 pm
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Yea, they're the square magnet with the orange Gibson label. Not sure why the tremolo isnt working, the guy I got it from put in a 12ax7 instead of 12au7 on V4, dont think it that could be it. Could it be one of the tubes though? I dont know which one drives the tremolo.

Here's the schematic: http://www.rockclmr.com/epiphone%20web/Gibson%20GA-25RVT%20Hawk%20Service%20Schematics.pdf


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Post subject: Re: Not Fender but just scored this
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 2:13 pm
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Very nice amp atolleter


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Post subject: Re: Not Fender but just scored this
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 5:16 pm
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atolleter wrote:


Fair warning.... the actual circuit might not match the schematic. Seems to be a classic Gibson trait. Mine didn't match any of the schematics my tech had :lol:


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Post subject: Re: Not Fender but just scored this
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 5:31 pm
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Oh great... thank you.


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Post subject: Re: Not Fender but just scored this
Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2011 12:51 pm
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Looks like half of V4 (12AU7) and half of V3 (6EU7) are both used for the tremolo. :idea:

There are no 12AX7 preamp tubes listed, all are 12AU7 and 6EU7. The 12Axx type tubes will not work in the spots for the 6EU7 as the pin-outs are different between these two tubes, even though they will plug into the same sockets. The 12AU7 is a very low gain tube as compared to the 12AX7.

Cool amp BTW, rust and all, very cool. 8)

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Post subject: Re: Not Fender but just scored this
Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2011 1:46 pm
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Yea, I got a NOS 12au7 coming in then I'll address the tremolo issue, could be the switch in the pedal.


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