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Post subject: "New" Amp day
Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 5:59 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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My son and I were over at the local shop late Saturday and the owner was blasting away on this cosmetically challenged little beast. Crunchy, dark, and loud. He said he was going to take it home and give a psychedelic paint job.

As I thought about it over the weekend.... I decided I wanted to try to get this amp and finish the cabinet myself. I always wanted a tweed champ, but I am too damn cheap.

So what is it..... a 1960 Gibson GA-5 Skylark (Two-Tone) with an 8" Jensen. It just got a cap job and a grounded plug. Everything else is original. This little GA-5 gets about as close to a tweed champ without breaking the bank. From what I've read the circuits are pretty close . Its a very hot amp and LOUD.

Now I have to think about the "restoration" of the cabinet. I have several ideas. 1) blonde tolex as original 2) sand and stain or 3) sand and paint Gibson Goldtop or maybe a two-tone 50's Chevy look.

My current investment...... $125. Its a player..... not a collectable. :wink:

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Post subject: Re: "New" Amp day
Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 6:28 pm
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Looks like a fun project hard to tell from the pic how the wood grain looks..but I hope you post pics when you get it all done!

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Post subject: Re: "New" Amp day
Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 6:38 pm
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Looks like you've got a fun project coming up. I vote sand then judge if its stain worthy.


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Post subject: Re: "New" Amp day
Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 7:06 pm
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Phansford...Great amp, great project! I would take the grill cloth off and clean it and go with a blonde tolex covering. I always like the look of that color combo. It would be cool since the champs never came with that color combo. Just my thoughts. Whatever way you go keep us informed, would like to see the end product.

T2

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Post subject: Re: "New" Amp day
Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 7:38 pm
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Cool little amp,I love the old stuff! :D congratulations on a good find!


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Post subject: Re: "New" Amp day
Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 9:46 pm
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Very cool amp, Phans! Very similar to my '55 Valco project amp. I went with stain and oxblood grill cloth. Due to my woodworking abilities, the amp is called"The Beast". Hey, It kind of looks like the baffle board is glued into the cab. If so, that will present a minor challenge. Anyway, goodluck and have fun! Art

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Post subject: Re: "New" Amp day
Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 10:41 pm
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Very cool little amp! I vote for gold top finish with either gold or black grill cloth - have fun with this one!

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Post subject: Re: "New" Amp day
Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2012 3:40 pm
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I'd take it down to wood carefully and see how it looks when you wipe some alcohol over it. If it looks good I'd just give it a coat or two of clear. I like the look of finished wood.

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Post subject: Re: "New" Amp day
Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 10:25 pm
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Who says it not collectible?

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Post subject: Re: "New" Amp day
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 5:06 am
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mhowell wrote:
Who says it not collectible?


:lol: Its more of a term related to condition and originality. :D

You'll certainly find people who "collect" lower grade items for a lot of reasons. (not just guitars and amps... but a lot of things).

A "player" cost a lot less. Playing, modding it, and beating it around won't necessarily effect its value.

Players don't seem to appreciate in value with age...... not as perceptibly as something considered to be "collectable" and in a higher grade.

Even if I restore this amp to its original condition, its not going to demand the same amount of money as one that is completely original and in excellent condition.... which is good.... because I want to enjoy this amp.... not have it behind glass. :lol:


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Post subject: Re: "New" Amp day
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 5:50 am
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Patrick, tone is King! All that matters. BTW... that Westinghouse 5Y3GT is a real keeper. They are kinda sleeper company that made some of the best tubes. Their 7591A are highly sought after by vintage Ampeg combo amp owners.

Enjoy that amp!


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Post subject: Re: "New" Amp day
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 5:53 am
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phansford wrote:
Players don't seem to appreciate in value with age......


True that, but neither do they depreciate with age as with a brand-new SCXD or FM212R. Folks lose their shirts on those toys.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: "New" Amp day
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 6:23 am
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Give me a "player" over a "collector" any day. :lol: All that matters is the mojo. :D

That 1964 Gibson Discoverer Tremolo came out of a basement from one of my renovation projectS. Covered in filth and just scary to plug in. Got it for $50 - put another $75 in repairs..... Its just a great amp. No one in their right mind is going to give me "big bucks" for that amp (for a lot a reasons - #1 its a Gibby :lol: ) But the Tremolo on that thing is the best.

Retroverbial wrote:
True that, but neither do they depreciate with age as with a brand-new SCXD or FM212R. Folks lose their shirts on those toys.


+1. While the "collectable" might appreciate 10-15% a year or more and the player only 2-4 %, (just tossing numbers out there) - I'll take the fun the vintage "player" provides over the modern amp any day. Speaking from experience. :wink:


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Post subject: Re: "New" Amp day
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 6:38 am
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
Patrick, tone is King! All that matters. BTW... that Westinghouse 5Y3GT is a real keeper. They are kinda sleeper company that made some of the best tubes. Their 7591A are highly sought after by vintage Ampeg combo amp owners.

Enjoy that amp!


You know what the problem with this amp is...... I'm having too much fun playing it to take it apart and restore the cabinet. :lol:


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Post subject: Re: "New" Amp day
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 6:48 am
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phansford wrote:
BMW2002Ti wrote:
Patrick, tone is King! All that matters. BTW... that Westinghouse 5Y3GT is a real keeper. They are kinda sleeper company that made some of the best tubes. Their 7591A are highly sought after by vintage Ampeg combo amp owners.

Enjoy that amp!


You know what the problem with this amp is...... I'm having too much fun playing it to take it apart and restore the cabinet. :lol:


Way to go man. I'm sure the amp is happy with that.

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