Hey Brad been watching for sometime and love the channel . Wondered what was the best way to contact you about possible projects. I know you’re backed up a bit but have some stuff that needs work
Hey everyone, our favorite internet uncle is back! Uncle Doug has returned for a new amp series! There’s bad news unfortunately, Rusty the Wonder Dog went on to Good Boy Heaven. His hard work and intellect will be missed!❤️🐕😇
FireBottle , Yes! The new amp series looks like something based off of an early 50’s Gibson GA-40 with a preamp of a late 50’s GA-20. Rusty will be sorely missed.
Hey Brad, gotta tell ya, the playroom TV crapped out. I pulled it down and checked power and it was wrong, just looking I could see what I thought was three expanded electrolytic caps, the rest looked fine. I pulled the offenders and tested them with my little tester. Mine is like yours but doesn’t have the clear lexan but works fine. One was fine, two were OFF THE CHARTS... I actually had the replacements except they might be cheapies but they worked, TV working great and is back on the wall. I couldn’t of done it without you, I wouldn’t have had the balls to get it off the wall and open it up. No freaking way... Thank you Brad.
To have the balls to open up something that is broke and do what it takes to service it is at the heart of DIYers. It is a thrill to repair instead of replace. I too applaud you Buddy! I did not know about the cap tester until our amp guru Brad had turned us all on to it. Great! Thankz
I just worked on a GA19RVT for my friend. I increased the V1 coupling cap from .001 to a .022. and then cut out the brown 3 leg RC network and connected the .022 to the volume pot,added a 500 pf to the tone control for more high end when the tone is up.I cut out the .002 cap that is connected across the power tube plates.I also moved the reverb footswitch to the reverb pan output. My friend Glen left a happy camper.
Nice job.i love the way those Gibsons sustain the big open chords. Also, I really have to thank you I cleaned up my amp and pedals using your techniques and they are dead nuts quiet. Thanks so much for the tips.
I worked on those back in the 60's and 70's, as a Gibson warranty station. Those were used a lot, at the local music stores, for rental purposes. They weren't super reliable and I repaired many that were only a few years old (plus they were 1/2 the price to rent as a Fender amp). Not my workmanship - I went to NASA soldering school, back in the 60's, to work on the LEM Apollo mission communications packages. I like Mil Spec wraps on solder connections myself. PS I wouldn't be caught dead using a solder gun on ANY piece of electronic equipment. Give me a nice 60W Hexacon any day!Nowadays I have a 250W, 150W, 60W, 25W irons, a temperature controlled Weller soldering station and a Weller SMT soldering/component removal system. For checking caps, I use a digital Sencore capacitor/inductor analyzer. I use oscilloscopes all the time and my favorites are the Tektronix 465B/DM44 series, I have 4 of them! Service tech since 1963!
@Gary Allsebrook Hi Gary! Sounds like you really know your stuff mate! I got hold of the NASA mil16(?) spec, & it turns out I've been soldering & connecting electronics gear to that standard for years, so I was very pleased! Great to hear you have the perfect range of soldering irons too. I just have a small tip temp adjustable station plus one of those light blue Weller stations with the removable tips. Unfortunately I have to buy a new heating element for it, so thanks for reminding me!
Guess I missed this one when it came out, nice job. I grabbed one of these over a year ago and spent a ton of time on it. The basic maintenance stuff was the same as what you ran into. I was on a quest for more bass and the tone of the tweed version, so I ended up changing the tone stack and the values of about every coupling cap. I also went with an eminence cannibis rex speaker. I’m happy with the tone now and really need to get a video online in case it’s of use to others. The schematic you need for these is not the ga19rvt, it’s the Gibson M216-RVT. Thanks!
Man, Amp sounds good. Resto'd right! Actually had me right away because of the Gibson lap steel amp i should have bought in the early '70s then my first car was a '67 Falcon (170 3 speed 2dr, 1975). Would also like to thank you for the Gibson book rec'. I've bought alot of books like this over the years, starting with American Guitars and The Guitar Book bought in the early '80s both written by former Guitar Player magazine editor Tom Wheeler. Sadly, he passed away earlier this month. RIP, TW.
I repaired a ‘63-64 Falcon a couple years back. I also ditched the old weak Jensen and installed a Weber Sig 12f. Wow what a difference....I love me an old C8r but the C12r was too farty in the bass. That Weber totally completed the amp.
@Deneteus Yeah it's a pretty handy little unit, but it looks to me that it can be tricked by leaking, larger value caps. It appears that a badly leaking electro can be misread as having a much larger capacitance than it actually has. I could be wrong, but It's got me suspicious. I built a couple of 'Silicon Chip' magazine ESR testers that have microprocessor smarts, that have become my second most valuable piece of test gear after my multimeter! No doubt that Brad's little tester is very handy though, & I may build myself one too! - Cos I like building my own stuff, but I would always try to verify the cap with my S.C. unit.
What I miss the most about working on this equipment is the smell of the tubes warming up-nothing else like it-I'm sure the viewers can relate-let's work on the technology to get the smells through youtube-lol-thanks so much for your videos!
Another winner Brad, thanks for sharing this. These videos are super informative, and its like a music-guitar-gear time machine... This is what music sounded like in tbe 1960s. So cool
The Guitologist i used to be in a band when i was kid with a guy whos dad had one of these and thought it was one of the greatest amps ever made. at the time i remember hating the sound of the thing but my idea of a great guitar sound at the time was a dry solid state and a fuzz box - i have much more respect for the sounds it can make now i really dug getting a look inside of this forbidden amp of my youth lol and wow i need one of those cap testers? seriously wish i had time to watch all of your output good sir
Glad to see you verify the truth on the brown "turd" caps. They tested perfect as every one from my '71 Deluxe Reverb does. I suspect we will come to revere those chocolate beauties some day.
I have had to wait past supper to watch this, as the missus has different nerdy interests of her own. Now, pleasure... :) Gibson could have done with you back in the sixties. AND your playing was delightful. Thanks.
The Gibson "Hawk" is what I had. It needed service, which at the time I could not afford. Even with the original circuit in it, I played a lot of gigs with it. Wish I still had it. Maybe I'll build a clone! Thankz
Was nice to see you take some time with the old girl at the end of the video. Looks like you were feeling inspired. Great playing dude. Love from Canada :)
I've got a '65 that I paid $65 for about 10 years ago. The guy I got it from said he just had it serviced and it was working great until one day it started freaking out. He opened it up and said he saw it arcing somewhere so he gave up and sold it cheap. I got it home, opened it up and shook it. A ball of solder fell out and it's worked great for me. I'm not sure if it's been modded, but if you turn the reverb off at the footswitch then the reverb knob acts as a gain. Kinda weird to me. The reverb and tremolo on this thing are amazing.
Brad, I have the exact amp. but in better (unmolested) original condition although aged. I'm guessing the tubes are original RCA. Bought it for $25.00 yard sale from an old guy that played in a Polka band forever. Has foot pedal, same speaker, exact numbers match to your customer's. Came with an extra set of knobs in a ziplock bag. Mine would need the same once over. Good video for me, thanks again.
The schematic calls for two 20uf. I put a 47uf cap in reservoir, yes, even with the 5Y3. Better, tighter bass response. And it can handle it. A GZ34 would be a good upgrade though.
I know this is old vid but I’ll ask-did you double the the two filter caps from the 5AR4 rectifier from 22uf to 47uf to better accommodate the Raytheon 5AR4 rectifier? I hadn’t seen that in any other versions of the Falcon. Did you have to change the bias -caps/resistor for the 6V6’s? It sounded fantastic whether clean or dirty. I thought that this beats most of the vintage Princeton Reverb’s I’ve heard. Wasn’t expecting that. -great content. Keep it up.
Yikes! Wire nuts and electrical tape belong in light fixtures, but a vintage Gibson amp? Hey, I suppose peeps gotta do what they gotta do, but I think it’s now in the best hands possible. Thanks for the upload Brad, right on man.
I did leave the nuts on the speaker wire for quick disconnect, but yeah, the rest needed to go. I admire resourceful people getting things going, but there's a right way to treat a vintage amp.
You are truly amazing dude,, please keep it up,,, one day I would love for you to look at an amp that I have that is working great but always a possibility for better.
I have the exact same amp! Got it in the 90's. It *never* sounded that good, I just thought it was cool, and it was cheap. Wondering if I can afford to have it serviced the same way.
Hello guitoligist. I was going through an old storage building today and found a 1942 Zenith Universal Radio. It's "portable" and has a built in antennae that comes out and can be set up apart from the radio. It can also be connected to an external battery. The tubes look good, but the power cord is rotted and will have to be replaced. Wish me luck. Gonna try to get it working.
Sounds good. I notice your using a pick a lot more recently. And your using a comb a lot less. Both good things. I hope you and yours are all safe after the awful weather down there. I would hate to think of your basement getting flooded with all that great in it. Or whatever your in.
Lucky for you I don't live in Louisville anymore... I'd be bringing you boxes of electrical stuff and just breaking my amps so you could fix it. I've got a Mesa 5.25 that's making noise,,, humm, till I thump it hard lLOL .. on the top. LOL. I'd love to buy one of your old reworked amps on your recommendation for good blues Home/mancave amp...Louisville is really a great place for music, bands, and such. Really miss that down here.
I don't get out and enjoy the music scene as much as I'd like. There's an eclectic mix here. It's not all just cover bands. There's a vibrant original music scene.
Yep, at any rate, far too low to allow for ESR measurements. I noticed you measured some 45nF caps and those didn't trigger an ESR reading either, so it seems your (and mine) LCR-T4 is not loaded with the latest firmware. It only measures ESR above 20nF with firmware version 1.12k. 180nF is the lower limit for firmware 1.07 or lower. I got this little wonder in an attempt to measure pickup inductance. Doesn't do that but it's still a great little gadget to have
I've tried myself (and failed miserably). Here's what I know: You need an USBASP programmer like this: www.ebay.es/itm/LC-01-51-AVR-Programmer-ISP-USBASP-Downloader-USBISP-Download-Line/152706097159?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649 for the atmel chip Then you need the firmware files: www.mikrocontroller.net/svnbrowser/transistortester/Software/trunk/mega328_T3_T4_st7565/ the .eep & .hex ones the software needed to flash the firmware is called avrdude: www.nongnu.org/avrdude/ (more later)
And here's how to wire the LCR-T4 to the programmer to flash the firmware. www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/$20-lcr-esr-transistor-checker-project/msg659867/#msg659867 Once you have all that you're supposed to be set, and you can run avrdude through the command line: avrdude -c USBasp -P usb -p m328p -U flash:w:TransistorTester.hex \-U eeprom:w:TransistorTester.eep \-U lfuse:w:0xf7:m \-U hfuse:w:0xd9:m \-U efuse:w:0xfc:m
Around 1980 my dad retired his Falcon & so it sat for about 20 years until I tried to use it at a practice. While adjusting the controls I felt a small tingle so back into retirement she went. I would like to use it again & wonder if you fix these & how would I go about setting that up? Not sure what tubes he might have changed but to my knowledge everything else would be original. Thanks
Nicely done and interesting.... Question about serial numbers... why do companies make them so complicated? instead of things like "220342" why don't they simply do the year and week? in example: "1963-42" (42nd week of 1963).. i don't understand why the secrecy and confusion....
Great info here. I have a chance to go look at one of these tomorrow in Nashville. Any thing I should look out for besides the usual? I don't really know much about vintage amps so any info helps!
Check for vintage tubes in the amp. If the original tubes are present, they should still be good. If they're all replaced, someone likely plundered them. To me, that affects the value because you can still find so many out there with original tubes.
@@TheGuitologist Thank you for taking the time to reply! What kind of tubes were in the originals? I think this one is a '65.... going by what you showed for the dates on the parts.
Hi Brad, interesting revamp.! Tell me is that a CG Conn ST11 strobe tuner on your bench,does it work? I have an old ST12 (240volt) for GB voltage that has a rattle when running. Have you ever repaired yours in any way?? Cheers Rob from England.
Kind of curious why the brown cps were deemed to be unreliable. Seems like the amp was subject to moisture, and you sid the caps wee susceptible to damp, yet they were normal and original to the amp. I would say they were pretty reliable if they lasted so long and were still good.
The clean tone was sweet as. Personally i felt the dirty one sounded a little transistory??? I love the way you do this stuff. The analog world was way more "environmentally friendly wasn't it?
Awesome as always mang... Would an 80s Peavey classic 50(4x10) be worth repairing? It worked, then lent it to a friend and now it doesn't work. It always sounded great when it worked. Just wondering if its economically worth the repairs. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
I had a old Gibson 300 same vintage same knobs,the head was separate and stored in the back of the cabinet had two 12in Jensen speakers in the cabinet that thing weighed a ton When I got it the power capacitors were bad.. I was in high school in 1983 and took it to my electronics class and we change the capacitors for some even bigger ones.it played okay for me for the time that I had it then I traded it for a Harmony 12-string acoustic guitar.six months later the guy was using it on stage in it caught fire and burned to the ground
I love your videos you got me wanting try modding myself so I have a question. I have a Squire 15 amp that no longer works. I would like to remove the chassis and put in a tube amp chassis in it new or used. I am thinking they only make a few box designs and you should be able to slide in a new chassis. The amp is a Vintage 90s made in Korea it's the model that has the 4 screws at the top on the handle drop the board and chassis. What I like to know is if I can replace that entire amp unit with a fender champ or something to that nature. The board and chassis that drops from the 4 screws 11 3/4 by and 1 3/4 and it as an angle. I am a complete Newb at mods but I would like to know your thoughts first is it worth it second what you would recommend that would not bust the bank? I am PWT and cant afford much.
As I said before when you demo and amp can you please also use a Humbucker also to show the tones you can get. You always use the shit kicking Single coil tone that I love. I have a strat and lespaul. We want to see both sides of the tone. God bless Merry Chrismas fellow musician.
So I've been working on my Gibson Falcon off and on throughout the past year. Its sounds great, but i am trying to get rid of the white noise thats in the background just like in your video around the 40 minute mark. I've done all new electrolytics, touched up solder joints, replaced all of the carbon comp resistors around V1, changed preamp tubes and it is still there. The volume knob makes it louder and the tone knob changes its pitch but its still white noise. I've been watching your videos, and have you had any of these amps that are dead quiet when you turn up the volume? Not sure if I am just wasting my time trying to attain something that will never happen. Thanks!
Do you mean EF86? I have a few of them in my stash. It's a Euro tube. Most of the vintage stuff we see in the States used different type pentodes. Same general idea though.
I meant euro power tube... EL86, sort of an EL84 but very different with much lower grid voltage of max. 210V, but the anodes can take 400V and still hold up...
Hello, I have the basic knowledge to change components in an amplifier, if anybody could help me track down a problem I'm having with my Ibanez tbx65r amplifier, the clean channel cuts out to really quiet then pops back in, with verying ammounts of distortion, occasionally it sounds clean, I can't change the channel with the buttons on the amp only the pedal as well. It appears some solder points are bridged inside of the amplifier but I'm not sure if that would have been done on purpose.
How much does it hurt the value of a classic amp to change the covering and say put casters on other instead of rubber feet that was on it.handle has been replaced also.nothing on the chassis has been modded thou.
Question, Brad. Did you have to do any routing for that TV Jones pickup? From what I’ve seen, there is enough room for a Mini humbucker routed in most American teles, but I’m just curious if you had to make any modifications to fit it. I bought one of the American special ones a few days ago and plan on trying to throw either a gold foil or a tv Jones in the neck.
Brad, have you tried testing a cap in circuit with the Banggood tester? I ask because of the ESR function of the tester. I have an amp on the bench currently (Peavey JSX) that I suspect is in need of all new caps and probably OT...but If I can test in circuit, it may save me a bunch of time and let the costumer know the bad news.
I notice in your videos you never test tubes and just replace them and see if there's an improvement when you run them through the amp. Do you ever as a routine just test all the tubes before you get started working on an amp?
brad i am down here in BRAZIL i plug my blackstar htclub 40 apm to 220 volts and the amp smoket up now i have no bass no tremble no mids the amp work but braeking up not clean souds loke is in overdrive i have no one wo can work on this amp can you help me please maby i can fix it it look at it the only to be seen was a condencer 2 450 volts looks loke its my have burt up bo not now man HELP ME alan ps love your vidios
Hello, I have a fender frontman 65r guitar amp, I purchased it in about 2010, it has low hours of use on it, and today it did a pop, crackle kinda noise and now it's not working so good. So how can I get a hold of you, to talk about having it fixed? (or have you recommend some one to take it to?) Thanks
I live in Richmond Texas, (it is just South/West of Houston.) This was not a high dollar amp (new) and this is the first and only time I've had any issue with any of my amps, I just not sure which way to go with the repair. I mean it might cost more for shipping, then buying a new amp. (or turning into a speaker cab.) Let me know how you feel about it, please? Thanks for the replly, Roy.
Stuff used in this video:
Capacitor Tester: goo.gl/EB9MXL
Gibson Amplifiers 1933-2008: 75 Years of the Gold Tone Book: amzn.to/2BP310E
New caps, Classic sound. Awesome!
Hey Brad been watching for sometime and love the channel . Wondered what was the best way to contact you about possible projects. I know you’re backed up a bit but have some stuff that needs work
The Guitologist i
The Guitologist j
Audio Tech Labs Yeah not sure how this works forgive my lack of technology here So contact you at Audio Tech Labs? Thanks for responding
Hey everyone, our favorite internet uncle is back! Uncle Doug has returned for a new amp series!
There’s bad news unfortunately, Rusty the Wonder Dog went on to Good Boy Heaven. His hard work and intellect will be missed!❤️🐕😇
What?!?! Is it true!!!
Saw that.
FireBottle , Yes! The new amp series looks like something based off of an early 50’s Gibson GA-40 with a preamp of a late 50’s GA-20. Rusty will be sorely missed.
Rusty is surely missed by all Jack is trying to fill in as best he can though, his cat scans are epic!
Hey Brad, gotta tell ya, the playroom TV crapped out. I pulled it down and checked power and it was wrong, just looking I could see what I thought was three expanded electrolytic caps, the rest looked fine. I pulled the offenders and tested them with my little tester. Mine is like yours but doesn’t have the clear lexan but works fine. One was fine, two were OFF THE CHARTS... I actually had the replacements except they might be cheapies but they worked, TV working great and is back on the wall. I couldn’t of done it without you, I wouldn’t have had the balls to get it off the wall and open it up. No freaking way... Thank you Brad.
I LOVE that! Hell yeah, Buddy. Nice one! Saved literally from the landfill. Feels good, doesn't it!
It does feel good, real good!
Congratulations!
To have the balls to open up something that is broke and do what it takes to service it is at the heart of DIYers. It is a thrill to repair instead of replace. I too applaud you Buddy! I did not know about the cap tester until our amp guru Brad had turned us all on to it. Great! Thankz
I'm sure you're familiar with Pope's couplet about couplets:
"Blessed is he who expects DC leakage, for he shall never be disappointed."
I just worked on a GA19RVT for my friend. I increased the V1 coupling cap from .001 to a .022. and then cut out the brown 3 leg RC network and connected the .022 to the volume pot,added a 500 pf to the tone control for more high end when the tone is up.I cut out the .002 cap that is connected across the power tube plates.I also moved the reverb footswitch to the reverb pan output. My friend Glen left a happy camper.
Nice job.i love the way those Gibsons sustain the big open chords. Also, I really have to thank you I cleaned up my amp and pedals using your techniques and they are dead nuts quiet. Thanks so much for the tips.
Great job Brad! She sounded so sweet after you'd finished with her! A dizzyingly nice reverb too! Thumbs up!
I worked on those back in the 60's and 70's, as a Gibson warranty station. Those were used a lot, at the local music stores, for rental purposes. They weren't super reliable and I repaired many that were only a few years old (plus they were 1/2 the price to rent as a Fender amp).
Not my workmanship - I went to NASA soldering school, back in the 60's, to work on the LEM Apollo mission communications packages. I like Mil Spec wraps on solder connections myself.
PS I wouldn't be caught dead using a solder gun on ANY piece of electronic equipment. Give me a nice 60W Hexacon any day!Nowadays I have a 250W, 150W, 60W, 25W irons, a temperature controlled Weller soldering station and a Weller SMT soldering/component removal system.
For checking caps, I use a digital Sencore capacitor/inductor analyzer.
I use oscilloscopes all the time and my favorites are the Tektronix 465B/DM44 series, I have 4 of them!
Service tech since 1963!
@Gary Allsebrook Hi Gary! Sounds like you really know your stuff mate! I got hold of the NASA mil16(?) spec, & it turns out I've been soldering & connecting electronics gear to that standard for years, so I was very pleased! Great to hear you have the perfect range of soldering irons too. I just have a small tip temp adjustable station plus one of those light blue Weller stations with the removable tips. Unfortunately I have to buy a new heating element for it, so thanks for reminding me!
Guess I missed this one when it came out, nice job.
I grabbed one of these over a year ago and spent a ton of time on it. The basic maintenance stuff was the same as what you ran into. I was on a quest for more bass and the tone of the tweed version, so I ended up changing the tone stack and the values of about every coupling cap. I also went with an eminence cannibis rex speaker. I’m happy with the tone now and really need to get a video online in case it’s of use to others.
The schematic you need for these is not the ga19rvt, it’s the Gibson M216-RVT.
Thanks!
you did a really good job on that amp. it sounds great. plus , your playing is really good. especially towards the end.
Thanks, Jason. Glad you enjoyed.
I've owned every kind of amp. The '63 Gibson Falcon was the absolute best I ever owned! (GA-19RVT Rawks!).
Better than anything Hollywood is putting out Brad
And less rapey.
"less rapey" I actually laughed out loud, good one. Was that welcome to the machine, in the backround, if so impecable taste.
Man, Amp sounds good. Resto'd right! Actually had me right away because of the Gibson lap steel amp i should have bought in the early '70s then my first car was a '67 Falcon (170 3 speed 2dr, 1975). Would also like to thank you for the Gibson book rec'. I've bought alot of books like this over the years, starting with American Guitars and The Guitar Book bought in the early '80s both written by former Guitar Player magazine editor Tom Wheeler. Sadly, he passed away earlier this month. RIP, TW.
I repaired a ‘63-64 Falcon a couple years back. I also ditched the old weak Jensen and installed a Weber Sig 12f. Wow what a difference....I love me an old C8r but the C12r was too farty in the bass. That Weber totally completed the amp.
Yeah, I bet the Weber was perfect in it.
Finally someone using an ESR meter! :)
Yep. I think he's been onto that a for a while now. Talk about handy!
@Deneteus Yeah it's a pretty handy little unit, but it looks to me that it can be tricked by leaking, larger value caps. It appears that a badly leaking electro can be misread as having a much larger capacitance than it actually has. I could be wrong, but It's got me suspicious. I built a couple of 'Silicon Chip' magazine ESR testers that have microprocessor smarts, that have become my second most valuable piece of test gear after my multimeter! No doubt that Brad's little tester is very handy though, & I may build myself one too! - Cos I like building my own stuff, but I would always try to verify the cap with my S.C. unit.
Another good video. Another awesome bed head demo. Thanks Brad!
It really shines in the reverb section.
Yes it does. Falcon reverb and trem are superior to Deluxe Reverbs and Princetons, especially the trem.
@Mike Gervasi Gidday! Yeah it sounded so sweet with Brad testing it.
What I miss the most about working on this equipment is the smell of the tubes warming up-nothing else like it-I'm sure the viewers can relate-let's work on the technology to get the smells through youtube-lol-thanks so much for your videos!
Good playing man. You ain't kidding that amps got some sound ..I need to get some work done on a guitar and an amp possibly two. Thanks great video.
Best spring reverb ever in Falcons. My friend had one once.
You're a damn fine guitar player too Brad.
Thanks man.
Another winner Brad, thanks for sharing this. These videos are super informative, and its like a music-guitar-gear time machine... This is what music sounded like in tbe 1960s. So cool
The Guitologist i used to be in a band when i was kid with a guy whos dad had one of these and thought it was one of the greatest amps ever made. at the time i remember hating the sound of the thing but my idea of a great guitar sound at the time was a dry solid state and a fuzz box - i have much more respect for the sounds it can make now i really dug getting a look inside of this forbidden amp of my youth lol and wow i need one of those cap testers? seriously wish i had time to watch all of your output good sir
Sounds like you need to find some time! :)
Damn that's a cool tone man!
Glad to see you verify the truth on the brown "turd" caps. They tested perfect as every one from my '71 Deluxe Reverb does. I suspect we will come to revere those chocolate beauties some day.
That is some fine fiddling. You said it correctly. And like that you used that esr meter, Dav jones and a few others did some tests on it.
I have had to wait past supper to watch this, as the missus has different nerdy interests of her own. Now, pleasure... :)
Gibson could have done with you back in the sixties. AND your playing was delightful. Thanks.
I saw a Mesa/Boogie Bass 400 in the pile of incoming stuff. Looking forward to seeing a video on that one! :-)
The Gibson "Hawk" is what I had. It needed service, which at the time I could not afford. Even with the original circuit in it, I played a lot of gigs with it. Wish I still had it. Maybe I'll build a clone! Thankz
Was nice to see you take some time with the old girl at the end of the video. Looks like you were feeling inspired. Great playing dude. Love from Canada :)
I've got a '65 that I paid $65 for about 10 years ago. The guy I got it from said he just had it serviced and it was working great until one day it started freaking out. He opened it up and said he saw it arcing somewhere so he gave up and sold it cheap. I got it home, opened it up and shook it. A ball of solder fell out and it's worked great for me. I'm not sure if it's been modded, but if you turn the reverb off at the footswitch then the reverb knob acts as a gain. Kinda weird to me. The reverb and tremolo on this thing are amazing.
really liked that last thing you played
That was some inspired solo at the end. Right where she liked it to sing too.
good video brad...nice playing..the gibson tele combo sounds great..
That amp sounds phenomenal! Really soulful and loads of classic tones. I thought your playing reminded me a lot of Rory Gallagher there too. :)
Thanks, man. I agree on the amp, at least. :)
Nice Video Brad! Also Pink floyd in the Background ! :)
Brad, I have the exact amp. but in better (unmolested)
original condition although aged. I'm guessing the tubes are original RCA. Bought it for $25.00 yard sale from an old guy that played in a Polka band forever. Has foot pedal, same speaker, exact numbers match to your customer's. Came with an extra set of knobs in a ziplock bag. Mine would need the same once over.
Good video for me, thanks again.
Awesome as usual Brad, Love watching your vids.
Thanks, Michael.
The 5Y3 datasheet recommends a 20uF cap, so I think that was correct with the 20 first, after that the 30uF.
The schematic calls for two 20uf. I put a 47uf cap in reservoir, yes, even with the 5Y3. Better, tighter bass response. And it can handle it. A GZ34 would be a good upgrade though.
I know this is old vid but I’ll ask-did you double the the two filter caps from the 5AR4 rectifier from 22uf to 47uf to better accommodate the Raytheon 5AR4 rectifier? I hadn’t seen that in any other versions of the Falcon. Did you have to change the bias -caps/resistor for the 6V6’s? It sounded fantastic whether clean or dirty. I thought that this beats most of the vintage Princeton Reverb’s I’ve heard. Wasn’t expecting that. -great content. Keep it up.
Yikes! Wire nuts and electrical tape belong in light fixtures, but a vintage Gibson amp? Hey, I suppose peeps gotta do what they gotta do, but I think it’s now in the best hands possible. Thanks for the upload Brad, right on man.
I did leave the nuts on the speaker wire for quick disconnect, but yeah, the rest needed to go. I admire resourceful people getting things going, but there's a right way to treat a vintage amp.
Who says ya can't polish a turd? Another impossible job well done, Brad...
A Weber 12a125-A sounds very nice in this amp, too.
You are truly amazing dude,, please keep it up,,, one day I would love for you to look at an amp that I have that is working great but always a possibility for better.
I have the exact same amp! Got it in the 90's. It *never* sounded that good, I just thought it was cool, and it was cheap. Wondering if I can afford to have it serviced the same way.
You are awesome, man. Great playing.
Hello guitoligist. I was going through an old storage building today and found a 1942 Zenith Universal Radio. It's "portable" and has a built in antennae that comes out and can be set up apart from the radio. It can also be connected to an external battery. The tubes look good, but the power cord is rotted and will have to be replaced. Wish me luck. Gonna try to get it working.
These sound great cranked to 10
Nice repair and also nice vintage Gibson amp :) I don’t see that kind of amp here in Canada. Sounds really good
The Falcon is a very underrated amp. They are well built amps with good bones and after a service, I have not met one yet that didn't sound stellar.
Sylvain Alain Im in northern Ontario. I know of 2 in the area and i see some for sale once in a while for sale.
VintageAmpRevamp I never seen one for sale on Kijiji :) any idea in a price tag for that kind of amp ?
Sylvain Alain A friend of mine got a '64 Gibson Invader ga-30rvt for $450! With original cover. All in excellent condition!
I guess the unused wire off the third prong is carefully crafted ground lift after years of extensive lab and environment tests ;)
Nice fix, sounds good.
Sounds good. I notice your using a pick a lot more recently. And your using a comb a lot less. Both good things. I hope you and yours are all safe after the awful weather down there. I would hate to think of your basement getting flooded with all that great in it. Or whatever your in.
Lingerffxi I was going to say; Brad's bed-head makes me smile... A man after my own head.
Nice bit of work there bro is sounds cool. ATB
Hey Brad. Sure enjoy you vids. always amazes me how you understand these circuits. Thanks again.
Once you've been in a few, it gets easier.
Lucky for you I don't live in Louisville anymore... I'd be bringing you boxes of electrical stuff and just breaking my amps so you could fix it. I've got a Mesa 5.25 that's making noise,,, humm, till I thump it hard lLOL .. on the top. LOL.
I'd love to buy one of your old reworked amps on your recommendation for good blues Home/mancave amp...Louisville is really a great place for music, bands, and such. Really miss that down here.
I don't get out and enjoy the music scene as much as I'd like. There's an eclectic mix here. It's not all just cover bands. There's a vibrant original music scene.
i wish there was a book for epiphone amps of the same time!
It covers Epiphone too.
awesome! ill have to pick it up.
Amp sounds killer!
According to the tester docs it only measures ESR for caps that read 20nF or higher
And they were in the pico range anyway.
Yep, at any rate, far too low to allow for ESR measurements. I noticed you measured some 45nF caps and those didn't trigger an ESR reading either, so it seems your (and mine) LCR-T4 is not loaded with the latest firmware. It only measures ESR above 20nF with firmware version 1.12k. 180nF is the lower limit for firmware 1.07 or lower. I got this little wonder in an attempt to measure pickup inductance. Doesn't do that but it's still a great little gadget to have
Do you know where and how to upgrade firmware?
I've tried myself (and failed miserably). Here's what I know: You need an USBASP programmer like this: www.ebay.es/itm/LC-01-51-AVR-Programmer-ISP-USBASP-Downloader-USBISP-Download-Line/152706097159?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649 for the atmel chip
Then you need the firmware files: www.mikrocontroller.net/svnbrowser/transistortester/Software/trunk/mega328_T3_T4_st7565/
the .eep & .hex ones
the software needed to flash the firmware is called avrdude: www.nongnu.org/avrdude/
(more later)
And here's how to wire the LCR-T4 to the programmer to flash the firmware. www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/$20-lcr-esr-transistor-checker-project/msg659867/#msg659867
Once you have all that you're supposed to be set, and you can run avrdude through the command line:
avrdude -c USBasp -P usb -p m328p -U flash:w:TransistorTester.hex \-U eeprom:w:TransistorTester.eep \-U lfuse:w:0xf7:m \-U hfuse:w:0xd9:m \-U efuse:w:0xfc:m
Around 1980 my dad retired his Falcon & so it sat for about 20 years until I tried to use it at a practice. While adjusting the controls I felt a small tingle so back into retirement she went. I would like to use it again & wonder if you fix these & how would I go about setting that up? Not sure what tubes he might have changed but to my knowledge everything else would be original. Thanks
Sounds like rock and roll to me
My old Gibson scout had a musty smell possibly from water damage, used to put oranges in the back of it. Couldn’t get rid of the smell tho.
Musty=mold. Wipe down with a cloth dampened by vinegar. Should kill the mold. Adding fruit to the mix will just encourage more mold.
I'm already naked in the middle of the street, thanks for giving me something to scream!
Probably the original cord became frayed or the plug went bad and they had that 3 pin cord laying around so they used that. I see it quite often.
Now I suppose I'll have to go look at my Falcon and see if all the caps are kaput. Still makes nice sounds though.
Take the time and recap. It's worth the peace of mind.
Just got a hold of ‘64 Falcon in really clean condition down here in Nashville. Any chance I could have you take a look at it?
yep still love this amp so initovative for its year a jazzers wet dream mmmmm
Nicely done and interesting.... Question about serial numbers... why do companies make them so complicated? instead of things like "220342" why don't they simply do the year and week? in example: "1963-42" (42nd week of 1963).. i don't understand why the secrecy and confusion....
It seems you left one old capacitor in the circuit. Wondering why? It's the .22 seen here... @28:51
I changed it also, just didn't show it.
10-4.....
Dude, Brad! Uncle Doug is back!
No Rusty though :(
Good interesting video, thanks.
Thanks for watching Rowland.
Great info here. I have a chance to go look at one of these tomorrow in Nashville. Any thing I should look out for besides the usual? I don't really know much about vintage amps so any info helps!
Check for vintage tubes in the amp. If the original tubes are present, they should still be good. If they're all replaced, someone likely plundered them. To me, that affects the value because you can still find so many out there with original tubes.
@@TheGuitologist Thank you for taking the time to reply! What kind of tubes were in the originals? I think this one is a '65.... going by what you showed for the dates on the parts.
Hi Brad, interesting revamp.! Tell me is that a CG Conn ST11 strobe tuner on your bench,does it work? I have an old ST12 (240volt) for GB voltage that has a rattle when running. Have you ever repaired yours in any way?? Cheers Rob from England.
Kind of curious why the brown cps were deemed to be unreliable. Seems like the amp was subject to moisture, and you sid the caps wee susceptible to damp, yet they were normal and original to the amp. I would say they were pretty reliable if they lasted so long and were still good.
I had a similar looking amp but it was called an ‘Explorer’ by Gibson.
Where did you get that schematic? It's different than any other I've seen online and matches how mine is wired.
The clean tone was sweet as. Personally i felt the dirty one sounded a little transistory??? I love the way you do this stuff. The analog world was way more "environmentally friendly wasn't it?
Couplet is the word to use the meaning is 2 pieces ond or to put 2 pieces together etc its a french word
Awesome as always mang...
Would an 80s Peavey classic 50(4x10) be worth repairing? It worked, then lent it to a friend and now it doesn't work. It always sounded great when it worked.
Just wondering if its economically worth the repairs.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
I had a old Gibson 300 same vintage same knobs,the head was separate and stored in the back of the cabinet had two 12in Jensen speakers in the cabinet that thing weighed a ton When I got it the power capacitors were bad.. I was in high school in 1983 and took it to my electronics class and we change the capacitors for some even bigger ones.it played okay for me for the time that I had it then I traded it for a Harmony 12-string acoustic guitar.six months later the guy was using it on stage in it caught fire and burned to the ground
I love your videos you got me wanting try modding myself so I have a question. I have a Squire 15 amp that no longer works. I would like to remove the chassis and put in a tube amp chassis in it new or used. I am thinking they only make a few box designs and you should be able to slide in a new chassis. The amp is a Vintage 90s made in Korea it's the model that has the 4 screws at the top on the handle drop the board and chassis. What I like to know is if I can replace that entire amp unit with a fender champ or something to that nature. The board and chassis that drops from the 4 screws 11 3/4 by and 1 3/4 and it as an angle. I am a complete Newb at mods but I would like to know your thoughts first is it worth it second what you would recommend that would not bust the bank? I am PWT and cant afford much.
As I said before when you demo and amp can you please also use a Humbucker also to show the tones you can get. You always use the shit kicking Single coil tone that I love. I have a strat and lespaul. We want to see both sides of the tone. God bless Merry Chrismas fellow musician.
Do you just remove the couplet and solder the green wire to the pot?
So I've been working on my Gibson Falcon off and on throughout the past year. Its sounds great, but i am trying to get rid of the white noise thats in the background just like in your video around the 40 minute mark. I've done all new electrolytics, touched up solder joints, replaced all of the carbon comp resistors around V1, changed preamp tubes and it is still there. The volume knob makes it louder and the tone knob changes its pitch but its still white noise. I've been watching your videos, and have you had any of these amps that are dead quiet when you turn up the volume? Not sure if I am just wasting my time trying to attain something that will never happen. Thanks!
Hey Brad what is tht thing you are testing the resistors? Capacitors? with? MTester?
Hey Brad! Did you ever hear about EL86 tubes, and would you may consider doing DIY amp video with 'em, I would be very grateful...
Do you mean EF86? I have a few of them in my stash. It's a Euro tube. Most of the vintage stuff we see in the States used different type pentodes. Same general idea though.
I meant euro power tube... EL86, sort of an EL84 but very different with much lower grid voltage of max. 210V, but the anodes can take 400V and still hold up...
6CW5 in the RCA manual. pg 236
Hello, I have the basic knowledge to change components in an amplifier, if anybody could help me track down a problem I'm having with my Ibanez tbx65r amplifier, the clean channel cuts out to really quiet then pops back in, with verying ammounts of distortion, occasionally it sounds clean, I can't change the channel with the buttons on the amp only the pedal as well. It appears some solder points are bridged inside of the amplifier but I'm not sure if that would have been done on purpose.
Head Bangers In Leather!
How much does it hurt the value of a classic amp to change the covering and say put casters on other instead of rubber feet that was on it.handle has been replaced also.nothing on the chassis has been modded thou.
Hey brad. Great video as always. Does that Gibson amplifier book give a total production number for the br6 amp ? Thanks
It gives production numbers for pretty much all their amps.
Question, Brad.
Did you have to do any routing for that TV Jones pickup?
From what I’ve seen, there is enough room for a Mini humbucker routed in most American teles, but I’m just curious if you had to make any modifications to fit it.
I bought one of the American special ones a few days ago and plan on trying to throw either a gold foil or a tv Jones in the neck.
I didn't install it, but no, no routing.
Ahh, the weekend hairdo is back ! Lol
How much does this amp weigh?
Brad.. great video as usual! What camera do you use that gets such great autofocus so close up? What light is it using?
JVC camcorder. Don't know the model.
Can you give me a list of the values of caps u used and where I can order them from
I don't have a list, but I order from antique electronic supply
Brad, have you tried testing a cap in circuit with the Banggood tester? I ask because of the ESR function of the tester. I have an amp on the bench currently (Peavey JSX) that I suspect is in need of all new caps and probably OT...but If I can test in circuit, it may save me a bunch of time and let the costumer know the bad news.
No. You can't reliably test in circuit.
Did you say "death cap"?
I notice in your videos you never test tubes and just replace them and see if there's an improvement when you run them through the amp. Do you ever as a routine just test all the tubes before you get started working on an amp?
I test tubes every time I play the amp.
I'm guessing that you find that there is sufficient flux in rosin core solder so you don't seem to use flux.
Correct. For everyday soldering.
pink floyd in the background . welcome to the machine
brad i am down here in BRAZIL i plug my blackstar htclub 40 apm to 220 volts and the amp smoket up now i have no bass no tremble no mids the amp work but braeking up not clean souds loke is in overdrive i have no one wo can work on this amp can you help me please maby i can fix it it look at it the only to be seen was a condencer 2 450 volts looks loke its my have burt up bo not now man HELP ME alan ps love your vidios
Hello, I have a fender frontman 65r guitar amp, I purchased it in about 2010, it has low hours of use on it, and today it did a pop, crackle kinda noise and now it's not working so good. So how can I get a hold of you, to talk about having it fixed? (or have you recommend some one to take it to?) Thanks
Right now, I'm being extremely selective on what I take in for repair. Are you in Louisville?
I live in Richmond Texas, (it is just South/West of Houston.) This was not a high dollar amp (new) and this is the first and only time I've had any issue with any of my amps, I just not sure which way to go with the repair. I mean it might cost more for shipping, then buying a new amp. (or turning into a speaker cab.) Let me know how you feel about it, please? Thanks for the replly, Roy.
The schematic with the couplet can be found here:
el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=25824.0