$299 Gibson tube amp - Made in USA! - Page 21

Sidney Vicious · March 29th, 2008, 03:17 PM

I have an old vintage Jensen alnico speaker - an 8J11 - from a Harmony H400 amp -

(having owned a couple of the H400's I can tell you w/o fear of contradiction that the Jensen speakers are the best part of those amps) -

anyway, stuck it in my GA-5 - stock except for removal of the wire meshes and wood cord box -

and I like the sound of it very much!

Based on a quick test run I find the Jensen less efficient and the sound of the amp fuller and more articulate at a lower volume - does that make sense? The break is just as sweet - again, though, at what I perceive to be a lower volume than the stock Goldtone/Weber. With the Weber it seemed I would kinda hunt for a sweet spot in the guitar/amp volume settings. The Jensen sounds "better" throughout the dial.

Admittedly, the Weber is not broken in - the Jensen is 40 plus years old!

A few years ago when I had my first flirt with cheap Harmony amps I learned that the 8J11 was stock on some vintage Gibson amps - maybe something to do with it?

Anyway, I'll leave it in for now.

Whisperer · March 29th, 2008, 04:15 PM

Mine arrived last night.
I have been playing the past couple years through a solid state with a 12 inch speaker, so my first reaction was "oh!"

Quite a difference! I had forgotten what tubes felt like!

After, I tried the gain channel on the solid state and realised how nasty it sounds.

I will say though that I prefer the Kustom 12 Gauge clean sound , because of the 12 inch speaker, and it also has a sparkle. But with the volume down on the guitar , you can get almost the sound.
In fact, if you have a guitar with a volume and tone knob, and a good reverb pedal... (or whatever other effects you enjoy) , then I think you can use this amp in a number of versatile ways.

I really like this amp.

As is , with no mods at all, i'm quite satisfied.

Some advice, if I may,... if you live in a close quaters apt. building with paper-thin walls... think twice before buying this amp! It wants to be turned up, and it is stinkin LOUD!
I'm having issues with this already.

Guitarslinger1 · March 29th, 2008, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sidney Vicious

I have an old vintage Jensen alnico speaker - an 8J11 - from a Harmony H400 amp -

(having owned a couple of the H400's I can tell you w/o fear of contradiction that the Jensen speakers are the best part of those amps) -

anyway, stuck it in my GA-5 - stock except for removal of the wire meshes and wood cord box -

and I like the sound of it very much!

Based on a quick test run I find the Jensen less efficient and the sound of the amp fuller and more articulate at a lower volume - does that make sense? The break is just as sweet - again, though, at what I perceive to be a lower volume than the stock Goldtone/Weber. With the Weber it seemed I would kinda hunt for a sweet spot in the guitar/amp volume settings. The Jensen sounds "better" throughout the dial.

Admittedly, the Weber is not broken in - the Jensen is 40 plus years old!

A few years ago when I had my first flirt with cheap Harmony amps I learned that the 8J11 was stock on some vintage Gibson amps - maybe something to do with it?

Anyway, I'll leave it in for now.

Is your Jensen 4 or 8 ohms? If it's 8 ohms, it will sound better and be more efficient if you switch the 8 ohm tap of the output transformer to the speaker jack.

I don't know what was typically used in Harmonys, but It looks like vintage Gibsons typically used 8 ohm 8"s.

Guitarslinger1 · March 29th, 2008, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob DiStefano

No no no - thanx to Paul!

LOL...no worries Rob. I don't mind being the "ghost" modder.

Sidney Vicious · March 29th, 2008, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by specialty guitars

Is your Jensen 4 or 8 ohms? If it's 8 ohms, it will sound better and be more efficient if you switch the 8 ohm tap of the output transformer to the speaker jack.

I don't know what was typically used in Harmonys, but It looks like vintage Gibsons typically used 8 ohm 8"s.

Its a 4 ohm.

Rob DiStefano · March 29th, 2008, 04:55 PM

Some quickee sound bytes comparing a box-stock GA-5, then modding that same GA-5 with only the trinity mods. Vol set at noon.

Quite diff'rent tones - the stock amp has that raw, raunchy, louder energy whereas the modded amp is more laid back, mellowed and lower volume. Lifting the NFB adds back a good measure of that rock 'n' roll tone (as I've done with my modded GA-5).

Same Strat as before, mic'd with a Zoom H2 in stereo at about 12" off the Sig 8 speaker cone. The first rock licks are picked using the Keystone bridge pickup, the second ragtime tune is fingerpicked using the neck L200 noiseless pickup.

6 meg WAV file ...
Stock GA-5

6.7 meg WAV file ...
Trinity GA-5

Guitarslinger1 · March 29th, 2008, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sidney Vicious

Its a 4 ohm.

Right on.

Guitarslinger1 · March 29th, 2008, 05:01 PM

Has anyone tried a Weber ceramic Blue Pup 8" in one of these yet? I'm curious if the magnet is too large, and will touch the EL84 or its retainer.

Guitarslinger1 · March 29th, 2008, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob DiStefano

Some quickee sound bytes comparing a box-stock GA-5, then modding that same GA-5 with only the trinity mods.

Quite diff'rent tones - the stock amp has that raw, raunchy, louder energy whereas the modded amp is more laid back and mellowed. Lifting the NFB adds back a good measure of that rock 'n' roll tone (as I've done with my modded GA-5).

Same Strat as before, mic'd with a Zoom H2 in stereo at about 12" off the Sig 8 speaker cone. The first rock licks are picked using the Keystone bridge pickup, the second ragtime tune is fingerpicked using the neck L200 noiseless pickup.

6 meg WAV file ...
Stock GA-5

6.7 meg WAV file ...
Trinity GA-5

Rob,

Tasty playing!

Your clips play muddy for for me. Is this something on my end, or the way the clips are recorded?

Rob DiStefano · March 29th, 2008, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by specialty guitars

...Your clips play muddy for for me. Is this something on my end, or the way the clips are recorded?

Hmmm, don't hear that on my end. They're crisp WAV files, and there is is some goodly breakup happening (with the amp pushed halfway), particularly on the plectrum stuff, and very little on the fingerpicked stuff. Dunno ...

Rob DiStefano · March 29th, 2008, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by specialty guitars

Has anyone tried a Weber ceramic Blue Pup 8" in one of these yet? I'm curious if the magnet is too large, and will touch the EL84 or its retainer.

Good question. The 8F150 has the largest mag ring of any Weber 8" and the EL84's spring retainer hits it a bit - bending or removing the retainer would allow that speaker to fit. I think the Blue Pup's mag ring is a tad smaller ... ?

Sidney Vicious · March 29th, 2008, 05:14 PM

Heck - did a little Googling -

and it seems the 8J11 was stock in the Gibson Skylark - you know,

the original GA-5!

(scroll down and you'll find it - and find a lot of other cool Gibson amp info along the way)

http://www.harmonicamasterclass.com/vintage_amps.htm

Whisperer · March 29th, 2008, 05:22 PM

For guys like me who haven't used in years, and are not interested in using a soldering iron anymore, I recommend a eq pedal.
I've also experimented with my Digitech RP 150 and it sounds terrific.
With an eq you can make it sound great! no muss - no fuss!

Rob DiStefano · March 29th, 2008, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whisperer

...With an eq you can make it sound great! no muss - no fuss!

IMHO, close but no cigar when compared to having the amp itself sound Great sans any modulation interfaces - and that "close" might just be good enuf for some folks, cool. YMMV.

Whisperer · March 29th, 2008, 05:30 PM

yea Rob, I know what you mean, but I have 6 thumbs. It is interesting to read what you have done , and it sounds great. Great work!
As for me, i'll have to make the best of it here, but it does sound quite good... i'm happy!

Rob DiStefano · March 29th, 2008, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whisperer

... As for me, i'll have to make the best of it here, but it does sound quite good... i'm happy!

Cool!

TNO · March 29th, 2008, 06:16 PM

Nice playing in those clips Rob.
I think cutting back on the negative feedback by about half would be just perfect...anyone know what value resistor that would be?

My "vintage" Sozo caps showed up today so I stuck them in the amp and let them burn in a couple of hours. Compared to the Mallory 150s the amps sounds a little more clear in the mids and more "eager" if that makes sense. Notes seem to jump out of the amp. Well worth the few bucks.

Guitarslinger1 · March 29th, 2008, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob DiStefano

Hmmm, don't hear that on my end. They're crisp WAV files, and there is is some goodly breakup happening (with the amp pushed halfway), particularly on the plectrum stuff, and very little on the fingerpicked stuff. Dunno ...

I can tell the difference between distorted guitar and distorted playback. I have thought for some time that the WMP on this computer had trouble with certain files, but was never sure.

If the clips sound correct to you and everyone else, it must be this computer's WMP.

Rob DiStefano · March 29th, 2008, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TNO

..I think cutting back on the negative feedback by about half would be just perfect...anyone know what value resistor that would be?. ...

I took the NFB outta my GA-5, it works better for me because the 8F150 speaker is so dark and heavy.

Why not replace the NFB resistor with trim pot, say 100K, 200K? Then dial in what sounds best?

Guitarslinger1 · March 29th, 2008, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TNO

I think cutting back on the negative feedback by about half would be just perfect...anyone know what value resistor that would be?

If you want half the amount of NFB, you'll have to experiment with higher value resistors. If you have a 47k in it now, which is is the mod that I prescribed, that is the same value the vintage GA5 had, try a 100K and see what you think. Then work your way up or down in resistor value from there. The higher the resistor value, the less NFB.

Guitarslinger1 · March 29th, 2008, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob DiStefano

I took the NFB outta my GA-5, it works better for me because the 8F150 speaker is so dark and heavy.

Rob, how does that speaker sound when you wind the amp up?

Rob DiStefano · March 29th, 2008, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by specialty guitars

Rob, how does that speaker sound when you wind the amp up?

Not good at all - WAY too much bottom end. The 8F150 might be best in the stock GA-5, not in the modded one without the NFB and with the 1st two trinity mods accomplished. I think the perfect "standard" speaker for this amp might just the AlNiCo Blue Pup or the CVA8.

tc6969 · March 29th, 2008, 06:54 PM

I just listened to both clips about 10 times each and I think I prefer the stock sound.

The modded amp sounds like its being played while sealed inside a cardboard box.

Guitarslinger1 · March 29th, 2008, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob DiStefano

March 29th, 2008, 03:17 PM	#801 (permalink)
Sidney Vicious Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2003 Location: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA Posts: 966 6 Photos	Tried an alnico speaker - I have an old vintage Jensen alnico speaker - an 8J11 - from a Harmony H400 amp - (having owned a couple of the H400's I can tell you w/o fear of contradiction that the Jensen speakers are the best part of those amps) - anyway, stuck it in my GA-5 - stock except for removal of the wire meshes and wood cord box - and I like the sound of it very much! Based on a quick test run I find the Jensen less efficient and the sound of the amp fuller and more articulate at a lower volume - does that make sense? The break is just as sweet - again, though, at what I perceive to be a lower volume than the stock Goldtone/Weber. With the Weber it seemed I would kinda hunt for a sweet spot in the guitar/amp volume settings. The Jensen sounds "better" throughout the dial. Admittedly, the Weber is not broken in - the Jensen is 40 plus years old! A few years ago when I had my first flirt with cheap Harmony amps I learned that the 8J11 was stock on some vintage Gibson amps - maybe something to do with it? Anyway, I'll leave it in for now.

March 29th, 2008, 05:01 PM	#808 (permalink)
Guitarslinger1 Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 877	Weber Blue Pup ceramic 8" Has anyone tried a Weber ceramic Blue Pup 8" in one of these yet? I'm curious if the magnet is too large, and will touch the EL84 or its retainer.

March 29th, 2008, 04:15 PM	#802 (permalink)
Whisperer Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: . Age: 40 Posts: 128	Mine arrived last night. I have been playing the past couple years through a solid state with a 12 inch speaker, so my first reaction was "oh!" Quite a difference! I had forgotten what tubes felt like! After, I tried the gain channel on the solid state and realised how nasty it sounds. I will say though that I prefer the Kustom 12 Gauge clean sound , because of the 12 inch speaker, and it also has a sparkle. But with the volume down on the guitar , you can get almost the sound. In fact, if you have a guitar with a volume and tone knob, and a good reverb pedal... (or whatever other effects you enjoy) , then I think you can use this amp in a number of versatile ways. I really like this amp. As is , with no mods at all, i'm quite satisfied. Some advice, if I may,... if you live in a close quaters apt. building with paper-thin walls... think twice before buying this amp! It wants to be turned up, and it is stinkin LOUD! I'm having issues with this already.

March 29th, 2008, 04:55 PM	#806 (permalink)
Rob DiStefano Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Park Ridge, NJ Age: 62 Posts: 4,458	Some quickee sound bytes comparing a box-stock GA-5, then modding that same GA-5 with only the trinity mods. Vol set at noon. Quite diff'rent tones - the stock amp has that raw, raunchy, louder energy whereas the modded amp is more laid back, mellowed and lower volume. Lifting the NFB adds back a good measure of that rock 'n' roll tone (as I've done with my modded GA-5). Same Strat as before, mic'd with a Zoom H2 in stereo at about 12" off the Sig 8 speaker cone. The first rock licks are picked using the Keystone bridge pickup, the second ragtime tune is fingerpicked using the neck L200 noiseless pickup. 6 meg WAV file ... Stock GA-5 6.7 meg WAV file ... Trinity GA-5

March 29th, 2008, 05:14 PM	#812 (permalink)
Sidney Vicious Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2003 Location: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA Posts: 966 6 Photos	Heck - did a little Googling - and it seems the 8J11 was stock in the Gibson Skylark - you know, the original GA-5! (scroll down and you'll find it - and find a lot of other cool Gibson amp info along the way) http://www.harmonicamasterclass.com/vintage_amps.htm

March 29th, 2008, 05:22 PM	#813 (permalink)
Whisperer Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: . Age: 40 Posts: 128	For guys like me who haven't used in years, and are not interested in using a soldering iron anymore, I recommend a eq pedal. I've also experimented with my Digitech RP 150 and it sounds terrific. With an eq you can make it sound great! no muss - no fuss!

March 29th, 2008, 05:30 PM	#815 (permalink)
Whisperer Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: . Age: 40 Posts: 128	yea Rob, I know what you mean, but I have 6 thumbs. It is interesting to read what you have done , and it sounds great. Great work! As for me, i'll have to make the best of it here, but it does sound quite good... i'm happy!

March 29th, 2008, 06:16 PM	#817 (permalink)
TNO Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 101	Nice playing in those clips Rob. I think cutting back on the negative feedback by about half would be just perfect...anyone know what value resistor that would be? My "vintage" Sozo caps showed up today so I stuck them in the amp and let them burn in a couple of hours. Compared to the Mallory 150s the amps sounds a little more clear in the mids and more "eager" if that makes sense. Notes seem to jump out of the amp. Well worth the few bucks.

March 29th, 2008, 06:54 PM	#823 (permalink)
tc6969 Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Rockledge Florida Age: 55 Posts: 106	I just listened to both clips about 10 times each and I think I prefer the stock sound. The modded amp sounds like its being played while sealed inside a cardboard box.