Ampeg Gemini VI what to do

bluehonky · March 25th, 2005, 05:01 PM

I have an old Gemini VI with a bad power transformer. got it free from a friend and played it a few fines before the transformer started to smoke. My question to everyone is...What could cause the transformer to go bad and do you think it's woth getting fixed? Its a really great sounding amp... when it's working. I'd hate to get it fixed and have it melt down again. Or should save up a little and get a blues juinor or something more reliable?

OaklandA · March 25th, 2005, 05:59 PM

I can't tell you what went wrong in your amp. But if I had an old Ampeg Gemini(free no less), I'd get it fixed over getting a Blues Jr.

fontaine · March 25th, 2005, 08:12 PM

I thought i had blown the pt in my Vox AC15 Twin.
Took it to Andrews Amp Lab here in Atl. and was
informed it was the rectifier or some other thingy
i know little about.
Was figuring on huge samolians on repair and the loss
of originality! My point is it might be something simple
and easily rectified.(sometimes i kill myself)
See your tech is my suggestion. The Ampeg is way better
than any Blues Jr.

Tremo · March 25th, 2005, 10:58 PM

Oh jeez, fix the Ampeg. It will walk all over a Blues Jr in terms of tone. In comparison the BJ will sound like a cheap transistor radio. I'd rather have an old Gemini than 10 BJs. This is a no-brainer, fix the Ampeg.

cg73cmc · March 29th, 2005, 10:44 AM

that Tremo and I can agree on!

Those AMPEG Gemini's (Gym-N-I or Jimminy -- whichever you prefer to call them) were some awesome amps. It's worth at least a trip to your amp tech to see what the real damage on it is. I wouldn't have any hesitation about spending some real money on getting that thing back up and working.

Now, I'm not a Blues Juniorphobe -- as some are. However, there's no comparison here.

Oldschoolwax · March 31st, 2005, 11:15 PM

I've got a 22, and just love it to death! Fix any old Ampeg, it is worth it!

Pigsfootpeete · April 1st, 2005, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluehonky

I have an old Gemini VI with a bad power transformer. got it free from a friend and played it a few fines before the transformer started to smoke. My question to everyone is...What could cause the transformer to go bad and do you think it's woth getting fixed? Its a really great sounding amp... when it's working. I'd hate to get it fixed and have it melt down again. Or should save up a little and get a blues juinor or something more reliable?

My Mom & Dad got me an Ampeg Gemini VI at a music store in Memphis in 1966.
Please take my word on this - Fix it.
It's one of the nicest sounding amps you could ever find.
The tone is rich & sweet, and the tremelo outstanding.
I never used the "Accordian" input, though. Ha!
Anyway, it's a great amp, about 30 watts. :)

Tremo · April 1st, 2005, 02:17 AM

Not a Gemini, but an old Ampeg anyway. A Reverberocket to be exact. Check out the soundclips at www.mighty-mike.com .

That's my bud Mike Schermer playing a mid 60's Tele through an old Ampeg Reverberocket. Very old well worn 7591 output tubes, and an Altec 12 incher. 417 I think. He gigs regularly with the thing, it just won't break. And it's PTP.

A Gemini would have a similar voice, but be a little louder since it's fixed bias wheras the Reverberocket is cathode biased.

tele71 · April 1st, 2005, 08:37 AM

Ampeg with tremolo and the old wooden foot swith and to tell you the truth it sounds like poo. Switched speakers, from jensen ceramic to an older p12r, no better, way to much treble and buzz. Tried new tubes, nothing. I just figured the thing is trash. From what i am reading sounds like there is hope i tried a guitar through one once and that one sounded real good so must be the one I have. It just takes up space in the basement now maybe i'll take her to the Dr. and see if I can squeez some tone out of her. I'll drop her off when i get the champ and tremolux. Oh so many amps and so little time. Thanks for the info its good to see some ray of hope for the Ampeg. I hatge to have to get rid of her. :D
Paul

bluehonky · April 1st, 2005, 09:31 AM

...i guess it's off to the repair shop. Thanks for the advice. I agree with everybody that it's a great sounding amp. I'll drop back in when it's fixed to let you know how it went.

March 25th, 2005, 05:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
bluehonky Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lehigh Valley Posts: 133	Ampeg Gemini VI what to do I have an old Gemini VI with a bad power transformer. got it free from a friend and played it a few fines before the transformer started to smoke. My question to everyone is...What could cause the transformer to go bad and do you think it's woth getting fixed? Its a really great sounding amp... when it's working. I'd hate to get it fixed and have it melt down again. Or should save up a little and get a blues juinor or something more reliable?

March 25th, 2005, 08:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
fontaine Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 338	Tech Time ! I thought i had blown the pt in my Vox AC15 Twin. Took it to Andrews Amp Lab here in Atl. and was informed it was the rectifier or some other thingy i know little about. Was figuring on huge samolians on repair and the loss of originality! My point is it might be something simple and easily rectified.(sometimes i kill myself) See your tech is my suggestion. The Ampeg is way better than any Blues Jr.

March 29th, 2005, 10:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
cg73cmc Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: New Orleans, LA Age: 46 Posts: 713	FINALLY SOMETHING ... that Tremo and I can agree on! Those AMPEG Gemini's (Gym-N-I or Jimminy -- whichever you prefer to call them) were some awesome amps. It's worth at least a trip to your amp tech to see what the real damage on it is. I wouldn't have any hesitation about spending some real money on getting that thing back up and working. Now, I'm not a Blues Juniorphobe -- as some are. However, there's no comparison here. __________________ Take Care! Mark "If I'd known I was going to be a big guitar hero -- I would have practiced more" -- Ace Frehley

March 31st, 2005, 11:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
Oldschoolwax Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: LI New York Posts: 346	fix it! I've got a 22, and just love it to death! Fix any old Ampeg, it is worth it! __________________ Matter cannot be created or destroyed, nor can it be returned without a receipt.

April 1st, 2005, 02:17 AM	#8 (permalink)
Tremo Banned Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Silicon Valley, CA, USA Posts: 3,803	Check out the tone. Not a Gemini, but an old Ampeg anyway. A Reverberocket to be exact. Check out the soundclips at www.mighty-mike.com . That's my bud Mike Schermer playing a mid 60's Tele through an old Ampeg Reverberocket. Very old well worn 7591 output tubes, and an Altec 12 incher. 417 I think. He gigs regularly with the thing, it just won't break. And it's PTP. A Gemini would have a similar voice, but be a little louder since it's fixed bias wheras the Reverberocket is cathode biased.

March 25th, 2005, 05:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
OaklandA Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,629 28 Photos	I can't tell you what went wrong in your amp. But if I had an old Ampeg Gemini(free no less), I'd get it fixed over getting a Blues Jr.

March 25th, 2005, 10:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tremo Banned Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Silicon Valley, CA, USA Posts: 3,803	Oh jeez, fix the Ampeg. It will walk all over a Blues Jr in terms of tone. In comparison the BJ will sound like a cheap transistor radio. I'd rather have an old Gemini than 10 BJs. This is a no-brainer, fix the Ampeg.

April 1st, 2005, 08:37 AM	#9 (permalink)
tele71 Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Washington DC Posts: 169	I have an old Ampeg with tremolo and the old wooden foot swith and to tell you the truth it sounds like poo. Switched speakers, from jensen ceramic to an older p12r, no better, way to much treble and buzz. Tried new tubes, nothing. I just figured the thing is trash. From what i am reading sounds like there is hope i tried a guitar through one once and that one sounded real good so must be the one I have. It just takes up space in the basement now maybe i'll take her to the Dr. and see if I can squeez some tone out of her. I'll drop her off when i get the champ and tremolux. Oh so many amps and so little time. Thanks for the info its good to see some ray of hope for the Ampeg. I hatge to have to get rid of her. :D Paul

April 1st, 2005, 09:31 AM	#10 (permalink)
bluehonky Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lehigh Valley Posts: 133	Alright then... ...i guess it's off to the repair shop. Thanks for the advice. I agree with everybody that it's a great sounding amp. I'll drop back in when it's fixed to let you know how it went.