Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: frankeg on August 22, 2018, 08:40:01 am

Title: 1954 Gibson GA-40 Les Paul restoration Capacitor Cans
Post by: frankeg on August 22, 2018, 08:40:01 am

I have read several of the posts here on the GA-40 LP but I didn't see anything specific about replacing the Cap Cans. There are two cans on my 1954 LP. The 1st one has 2 caps in it 20uf/450v & 10uf/450v. The 2nd also has 2 caps, two 10uf/450v. The cans are rather tall & skinny and are riveted to the chassis. I cannot find identical replacements and am wondering how others here handled this. I have room for using single caps but will need to figure out their mounting. If I do that, I'll just leave the old ones in place & disconnected. Any thoughts/advice?

Title: Re: 1954 Gibson GA-40 Les Paul restoration Capacitor Cans
Post by: sluckey on August 22, 2018, 08:45:43 am

I'd just use individual axial caps.

Title: Re: 1954 Gibson GA-40 Les Paul restoration Capacitor Cans
Post by: kagliostro on August 22, 2018, 09:09:15 am

Give a look here

http://metro706.hostmetro.com/~archradi/restoration/electrolytics.html (http://metro706.hostmetro.com/~archradi/restoration/electrolytics.html)

(http://metro706.hostmetro.com/~archradi/restoration/resto/electrolytic2.jpg)

(http://metro706.hostmetro.com/~archradi/restoration/resto/electrolytic3.jpg)

(http://metro706.hostmetro.com/~archradi/restoration/resto/electrolytic5.jpg)

(http://metro706.hostmetro.com/~archradi/restoration/resto/electrolytic7.jpg)

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CfDhkLGj_yo/UzNpCnU0W_I/AAAAAAAAHak/U1hfCm24bI4/s1600/modern-radial-capacitor-restuff-can-mallory-fp.jpg)

or use standard radial e-cap (less expensive than axial ones)

of course go to good quality capacitors with your choice

Franco

Title: Re: 1954 Gibson GA-40 Les Paul restoration Capacitor Cans
Post by: frankeg on August 23, 2018, 07:51:33 am

Rebuild the cap can. Cool idea! Thanks for the pics & link!

Title: Re: 1954 Gibson GA-40 Les Paul restoration Capacitor Cans
Post by: kagliostro on August 24, 2018, 12:34:58 pm

Quote

Rebuild the cap can.

For a 1954 amp it can worth the effort

Ciao

Franco

Title: Re: 1954 Gibson GA-40 Les Paul restoration Capacitor Cans
Post by: Platefire on August 28, 2018, 08:06:30 pm

I got an old Kalart Reel to Reel amp I need to do the same thing if possible---thanks for the pictures.
I had a more modern 1960 GA-40 Les Paul amp and was a cool amp with nice break up. Platefire

Title: Re: 1954 Gibson GA-40 Les Paul restoration Capacitor Cans
Post by: bmccowan on August 30, 2018, 06:13:49 am

I rebuilt a GA-40 a few years ago. I disconnected the cans, left them in place, and found room for 4 axial caps. If I were to do it now I would likely use the F&T axial dual caps - 1 32x32 and 1 16x16 as there is limited space in the chassis.
BTW - these are very cool amps in my opinion. Lots of gremlins in old Gibson amps, but the LP sounds great with that 5879 preamp.