Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: Stevewdewitt on October 13, 2018, 06:29:07 pm

Title: Gibson GA-9 restoration
Post by: Stevewdewitt on October 13, 2018, 06:29:07 pm
I have a Gibson GA-9 on my bench. It is in great shape. I think it is a 1948 model. Could be a 58. I have a few questions about the circuit. The schematic is attached. There are 2 10uf 450Vdc caps at the first node after the rectifier. Can these be replaced with 1 20uf 450Vdc cap? The model I have is a little different than the schematic. It has a 20/10/10 450Vdc cap rather than a 10/10/10 450Vdc. Can the 10uf Caps be replaced with 16uf 450Vdc caps? This is being restored for a gigging musician. It needs to be solid.

This thing is in great shape. The tweed is laquered and beautiful. I will attach some pics.

TIA,
Steve
Title: Re: Gibson GA-9 restoration
Post by: Stevewdewitt on October 13, 2018, 06:30:37 pm
more pics
Title: Re: Gibson GA-9 restoration
Post by: shooter on October 13, 2018, 07:15:40 pm
here's Doug's copy;
https://el34world.com/charts/Schematics/files/Gibson/Gibson_ga9.pdf

if it still has the 5Y3, the 1st filter cap shouldn't be bigger than 40uF IIRC

with patience you can probably "gut" the old cap, glue in a modern one and still keep the aesthetic factor
Title: Re: Gibson GA-9 restoration
Post by: Willabe on October 13, 2018, 07:25:03 pm
There are 2 10uf 450Vdc caps at the first node after the rectifier. Can these be replaced with 1 20uf 450Vdc cap? 

Can the 10uf Caps be replaced with 16uf 450Vdc caps?
Yes and yes.
Title: Re: Gibson GA-9 restoration
Post by: Willabe on October 13, 2018, 07:26:40 pm
here's Doug's copy;
https://el34world.com/charts/Schematics/files/Gibson/Gibson_ga9.pdf (https://el34world.com/charts/Schematics/files/Gibson/Gibson_ga9.pdf)
The link you posted, ^^^^^^^^^, is a different amp, parallel single ended. His is PP.   

Title: Re: Gibson GA-9 restoration
Post by: John on October 13, 2018, 07:32:21 pm
here's Doug's copy;
https://el34world.com/charts/Schematics/files/Gibson/Gibson_ga9.pdf (https://el34world.com/charts/Schematics/files/Gibson/Gibson_ga9.pdf)
The link you posted, ^^^^^^^^^, is a different amp, parallel single ended. His is PP.   


The OP's schematic looks || SE to me.
Title: Re: Gibson GA-9 restoration
Post by: Stevewdewitt on October 13, 2018, 10:07:34 pm
I have a 20/20/10/10 @475Vdc that I am going to use. It will fit right in there. I think I should replace the bumblebee caps as well. I will see if they are leaky. I would also replace the 20uf/25V caps as well. One is cathode bypass and the other seems to be the cathode bias cap.

thanks,
Steve
Title: Re: Gibson GA-9 restoration
Post by: Willabe on October 13, 2018, 10:27:42 pm
here's Doug's copy;
https://el34world.com/charts/Schematics/files/Gibson/Gibson_ga9.pdf (https://el34world.com/charts/Schematics/files/Gibson/Gibson_ga9.pdf)
The link you posted, ^^^^^^^^^, is a different amp, parallel single ended. His is PP.   


The OP's schematic looks || SE to me.
:BangHead:         My mistake. You guys are correct. 
Title: Re: Gibson GA-9 restoration
Post by: Ritchie200 on October 13, 2018, 11:13:22 pm
Most likely a 58 (unless speaker replaced) as the 56 and earlier had the TV screen fronts.  Regardless, I don't think they made the 9 in the 40's? Can you see date codes on pots?

Jim
Title: Re: Gibson GA-9 restoration
Post by: Stevewdewitt on October 14, 2018, 09:10:39 am
It is a 1958
Title: Re: Gibson GA-9 restoration
Post by: John on October 14, 2018, 06:36:18 pm
here's Doug's copy;
https://el34world.com/charts/Schematics/files/Gibson/Gibson_ga9.pdf (https://el34world.com/charts/Schematics/files/Gibson/Gibson_ga9.pdf)
The link you posted, ^^^^^^^^^, is a different amp, parallel single ended. His is PP.   


The OP's schematic looks || SE to me.
:BangHead:         My mistake. You guys are correct.


Now you know how I feel!  :laugh:
Title: Re: Gibson GA-9 restoration
Post by: shooter on October 14, 2018, 07:07:10 pm
one of my early builds was a GA-8 PSE 6L6, fortunately Sluckey helped me figure out it wasn't  PP  :think1: :laugh:
That build spawned my affinity for SE  :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: Gibson GA-9 restoration
Post by: Willabe on October 14, 2018, 10:33:58 pm
Thanks guys.   :icon_biggrin:

When I looked at the 1st drawing, I didn't look at the bottom half of the OT primary. I saw the power tubes and they are shown like PP, stacked, not side by side.  :dontknow: