Tech Talk - Gibson GA-6 (1954)

GA-6 (tweed)

10-14W 2x12" Guitar Combo (identical to the GA-14 Titan except for the 12" speaker)
Speakers: 2x12"
Inputs (instr. + mic.): 2+2 (tweed)
Channels: 2
Volume Controls: 2
Tone Controls: 1
Tremolo: No
Tubes: 5 (2x12AX7, 2x6V6, 5Y3 or (newer version) Pre (2x7025), Pow (1x6V6 PAIR + 5Y3))
Watts Output: 10-14
Shipping Totals: See GA-6 (two-tone)
Harmony Central Review GA-6
Schematic with 2x12AX7, 2x6V6, 1x5Y3

For info on and pics of the Gibson GA-6 Interim Model see Miles O'Neal's web-site.

This amp replaced the BR-6. The circuit is identical to that of the GA-14. (www.drtube.com, March 28, 2003)

Push-pull 6V6s; like a Fender 5D3/5E3 Tweed Deluxe; cross between the two Fender circuits

Tech Talk - Dynacord KV-6 (1954)

Another cool little amp.

Manufacturer/Brand: Dynacord (Pinternagel)
Year: 1955–1960 Type: Audio Amplifier
Valves / Tubes 3: ECC83 EL84 AZ41
Principle Audio-Amplification
Wave bands - without
Power type and voltage Alternating Current supply (AC) / 110; 220 Volt
Loudspeaker Permanent Magnet Dynamic (PDyn) Loudspeaker (moving coil)
Power out 6 W
from Radiomuseum.org Model: KV6
Material Leather / canvas / plastic - over other material
Shape Tablemodel, Mantel/Midget/Compact but not a Portable (See power data. Sometimes with handle but for mains only).
Dimensions (WHD) 230 x 120 x 160 mm / 9.1 x 4.7 x 6.3 inch

If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

Tech Talk - Fender Vibroverb Reissue (1994)

Year:
1990-1995

Model:
`63 Reissue Vibroverb

Circuit:
6G16 (The actual circuit varies from the original)

Config:
Combo

Control Panel:
Brown forward facing w/ white screened labels, controls numbered 1-10

Front Conrol Layout:
Normal: In, In, Vol, Treb, Bass - Bright: In, In, Vol, Treb, Bass, Reverb - Speed, Intensity - Pilot Lamp

Rear Conrol Layout:
Fuse (3A), Ground Sw, Power Sw, Standby Sw, Speaker Jack, Ex. Speaker Jack, Footswitch Jack


Knobs:
Brown round

Cabinet:
19 3/8" x 25" x 8 5/8" (49.2 x 63.5 x 21.9 cm)

Cab Covering:
Brown Tolex

Cab Hardware:
Black strap handle, 4½" chassis straps, glides

Grille:
Wheat grille cloth

Logo:
Grille mounted, flat, chrome & black script "Fender" w/ tail

Weight:
46 lbs. (20.7 Kg)

Speakers/Load:
2 x 10"/4 ohms (8 ohms each in parallel)

Speaker Model:
Oxford 10K5

Effects:
Tremolo, Reverb

Output:
35 Watts

Preamp:
Normal: 7025
Bright: 7025

Power:
2 x 6L6GC

Bias:
Fixed Bias

Rectifier:
Solid State

Phase Inverter:
7025 (long tailed)

Other:
Reverb Driver: 12AX7
Reverb Recovery: 7025
Tremolo: 12AX7 (bias vary)

Comments:
The reissue differes in several ways from the original, most notably is the solid state rectifier, printed circuit board and hardwired reverb cables.







Get Facebook support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Tech Talk - Fender "Pro Junior" (1994)

Fender Pro Junior

Years of Production: 1993 - Present

Era:

Configuration: Combo

Controls: Chrome top facing w/ white screened labels, controls numbered 1-12

Knobs: Black Pointer

Faceplate

Front: Power Sw, Pilot Lamp, Tone, Vol, In

Rear:

Cabinet

Dimensions: 14½ x 15¼ x 8¾

Hardware:

Handle: Leather Handle

Feet: Glides

Corners:

Covering Material

Tolex/Tweed: Diagonal Tweed of Black Tolex

Grill Cloth: Brown or Silver Sparkle Grill Cloth

Logo: Cabinet mounted, Script

Weight: 20 lbs.

Speaker

Size: 1 x 10

Impedance: 8 ohms

Model: Eminence(For more info, check out the Jensen Replacement Speakers)

Effects:

~Watts: 15 watts

Tubes

Pre amp: 12AX7

Power: 2 x 6BQ5

Bias: Fixed, Nonadjustable

Rectifier: Solid State

Get Facebook support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Tech Talk - Fender "Princeton" 6G2-A (1962)

Our latest installment in small amplifiers.



Year:

1961-1963



Model:

Princeton



Model No:

6G2



Config:

Combo



Control Panel:

Brown forward facing w/ white screened labels, controls numbered 1-10



Front Conrol Layout:

In, In, Vol, Tone, Speed, Intensity - Pilot Lamp



Rear Conrol Layout:

Ground Sw, Fuse (2A), Power Sw, Speaker Jack, Ex. Speaker Jack, Tremolo Jack



Knobs:

Brown round



Cabinet:

16½" x 19" x 9" (41.9 x 48.3 x 22.9 cm)



Cab Covering:

Brown Tolex



Cab Hardware:

Leather handle, 4½" chassis straps, glides



Grille:

Wheat grille cloth



Logo:

None



Weight:

?



Speakers/Load:

1 x 10"/8 ohms



Speaker Model:

Jensen C10R or Oxford 10J4



Effects:

Tremolo



Output:

12 Watts



Preamp:

7025



Power:

2 x 6V6GT



Bias:

Fixed Bias, nonadjustable



Rectifier:

5Y3GT



Phase Inverter:

½ 12AX7 (split load)



Other:

Tremolo: ½ 12AX7 (bias vary)




Get Facebook support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Tech Talk - Fender "Harvard" (1960)

Another great small Fender Amp.
Year:
1955-1962

Model:
Harvard

Model No:
5F10, 6G10

Config:
Combo

Control Panel:
Chrome top facing w/ white screened labels, controls numbered 1-12

Conrol Layout:
Fuse (¾A), Power Sw, Pilot Lamp, Tone, Vol, In, In, In

Knobs:
Black pointer

Cabinet:
Narrow panel, 16½" x 18" x 8¾" (41.9 x 45.7 x 22.2 cm)


Cab Covering:
Diagonal tweed

Cab Hardware:
Leather Handle, glides

Grille:
Brown grille cloth

Logo:
Cabinet mounted, Script "Fender Harvard" on rectangular tag

Weight:
?

Speakers/Load:
1 x 10"/? ohms or 1 x 8"/? ohms

Speaker Model:
Jensen P10R

Effects:
None

Output:
10 Watts

Preamp:
6AV6 or 6AT6 and ½ 12AX7

Power:
5F10: 2 x 6V6GT
6G10: 6V6

Bias:
5F10: Fixed bias, nonadjustable
6G10: Cathode bias

Rectifier:
5Y3GT

Phase Inverter:
5F10 only: ½ 12AX7 (split load)

Comments:


A selenium rectifier was used in the bias circuit of the 5F10.
The Harvard was discontinued in 1962.




Get Facebook support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Tech Talk - Fender "Princeton-Reverb" (1974)

Model/Circuit Number: AB1270
Years of Production: 1968 - 1981
Era: Silverface
Configuration: Combo
Controls: Silver, forward facing w/ blue labels
Knobs: Black skirted w/ chrome center, numbered 1 - 10
Faceplate

* Front: In, In, Vol, Treb, Bass, Rev, Speed, Intensity - Pilot Lamp
* Rear: AC Outlet, Ground Sw, Fuse (1A), Power Sw, Speaker Jack, Ex. Speaker Jack, Vibrato Jack

Cabinet

* Dimensions: 20'' x 16''x 9½''
* Hardware: Medium Chassis Straps 4 5/8''
* Handle: Black Strap Handle
* Feet: Glides
* Corners: None


Covering Material

* Tolex/Tweed: Black Tolex
* Grill Cloth: = 70 - 75: Blue Sparkle Grill Cloth =

Logo: Grill mounted, raised, chrome & black script
Weight: 31 lbs.
Speaker

* Size: 1 x 10
* Impedance: 8 ohms
* Model: Oxford 10J4 or CTS 10(For more info, check out the Jensen Replacement Speakers)

Effects: Reverb, Tremolo
~Watts: 12-15 watts
Tubes

* Pre amp: 7025
* Power: 2 x 6V6GT

Bias: Fixed, Nonadjustable
Rectifier: 5U4GB


Get Facebook support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Tech Talk - Dynacord DA-15 (1952)

More (but just a little bit) powerful, large and luxury amplifer, called DV15v. 15w power. Also the red colord version was released. Having the 3 input (1 x microphone, 2 x pickup) and there's the TREMORO (vibration) pots (depth and speed controled separately). 110v - 240v usable.

Tech Talk - Gibson GA-30 (1948)

Here's our daily amp video. These old Gibson amps can really have an interesting sound. Designed to be played with a humbucking pickup they are totally different from a fender based design.

Gibson GA-30(1948)
15Watts 1x8" & 1x12" speaker

Built some two years after Django's 1946/7 American Tour this amp is barely comparable to that which was used by Django to be heard adequately while the Duke Ellington Orchestra wailing alongside him. His must have been a special and who knows perhaps a prototype issued by Gibson to support their Gibson ES300 Guitar used by Reinhart throughout the tour. He wasn't well received by the Ellington Fans who were more than discontent if the band remained silent but for a few riffs and a crescendo during his sets. Django was lone figure without his usual support and Ellington had not written anything special for his unique talents, but there again Django new nothing of Key's or reading Music Notation, didn't speak much English and always played by ear. What an educated ear and a matchless improvisational talent!

Note the 'very large for the times' white Amp to the left of Django with Gibson and that closed striped case at his immediate 'left' which also appears on the La Plar Ballroom Picture with a small black amp connection box stood on edge to the camera.

Anyone have any ideas on this Amplification arrangement - early 'Vibrator' type power unit or pre-amp perhaps. Was it a Seth Lover Special as it closely resembled the much later Fender Amps in size suggesting multiple speakers.

Could the case be the controls and the large White Box just the speaker housing?

The GA 30 must have been about 24 x 18 inches say 610 x 460mm

The GA-30 with a picture frame style speaker opening and dark brown leatherette covering. "New bass tone expander control allows the player to increase resonance and quality of the lower notes, advantageous in instrumental solo work".

First version of the series with 1-12" & 1-8" speaker. Massive magnets made this a very heavy amp.

Has a GREAT low volume Jazz tone that is the Charlie Christian tone all over again with the right guitar.

Tech Talk - Fender "Deluxe-Amp" 5E3 (1956)

Another choice small amp (18w) for your review. A Fender Deluxe.
Get Facebook support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Tech Talk - Fender "Princeton-Amp" 5F2 (1957)

Great Little Amps... as pointer out in an earlier post, these are being reproduced by other companies and possibly to very excellent specifications.

Model/Circuit Number: 5E2, 5F2, 5F2-A
Years of Production: 1955 - 1960
Era: Narrow Panel
Configuration: Combo
Controls: Chrome top facing w/ white screened labels, controls numbered 1-12
Knobs: Black Chicken Head
Faceplate

* Front: 5E2, 5F2: Fuse (2A), Pilot Lamp, Tone/Power Sw, Vol, In, In ; 5F2-A: Fuse(¾A), Power Sw, Pilot Lamp, Tone, Vol, In, In
* Rear:

Cabinet

* Dimensions: Narrow Panel: 1955: 12½'' x 13½'' x 8'', 1955-1960: 16¾'' x 18'' x 8¾''
* Hardware: None
* Handle: Leather Handle
* Feet: Glides
* Corners: None


Covering Material

* Tolex/Tweed: Diagonal Tweed
* Grill Cloth: Brown Grill Cloth

Logo: Cabinet mounted, Script
Weight:
Speaker

* Size: 1 x 8
* Impedance:
* Model: Jensen P8T, Oxford 8EV or Cleveland 8(For more info, check out the Jensen Replacement Speakers)

Effects:
~Watts: 4 1/2 watts
Tubes

* Pre amp: 12AX7
* Power: 6V6GT (single ended)

Bias: Cathode Bias
Rectifier: 5Y3GT


Get Facebook support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Tech Talk - Fender "Vibrolux-Amp" 5F11 (1959)

Everyone knows about the Vibrolux but how many of us have had the chance to play one. Another beautiful review.
1956-1961

Model:
Vibrolux

Model No:
5F11

Config:
Combo

Control Panel:
Chrome top facing w/ white screened labels, controls numbered 1-12

Conrol Layout:
Fuse (¾A), Power Sw, Pilot Lamp, Depth, Speed, Tone, Vol, In, In, In

Knobs:
Black pointer

Cabinet:
Narrow panel, 16¾" x 20" x 9½" (42.5 x 50.8 x 24.1 cm)

Cab Covering:
Diagonal tweed

Cab Hardware:
Leather Handle, glides

Grille:
Brown grille cloth

Logo:
Cabinet mounted, Script "Fender Vibrolux" on rectangular tag

Weight:
21 lbs. (9.5 Kg)

Speakers/Load:
1 x 10"/? ohms

Speaker Model:
Jensen P10R

Effects:
Tremolo

Output:
10 Watts

Preamp:
12AX7

Power:
2 x 6V6GT

Bias:
Fixed bias, nonadjustable

Rectifier:
5Y3GT

Phase Inverter:
½ 12AX7 (split load)

Other:
Tremolo ½ 12AX7 (bias vary)

Comments:


The preamp used half of the phase inverter 12AX7 and half of the tremolo 12AX7.
A selenium rectifier is used in the bias circuit.
A speaker and tremolo footswitch jack are located on the bottom of the chassis.
Get Facebook support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Tech Talk - Home made instruments

This guy has made some beautiful instruments....enjoy!!

Tech Talk - Buegeleisen & Jacobson (mid 40's) Amp

Here's another amp in a series of Vintage amps that you may find for a song. Happy hunting!
Write on our Facebook Wall or post your Photos of great blues events! -  Here

Tech Talk - Dynacord "Amigo" (1967)

Manufacturer/Brand: Dynacord
Year: 1964 ? Type: Audio Amplifier
Valves / Tubes 4: ECC83 EBC91 6L6 EZ80
Principle Audio-Amplification
Wave bands - without
Power type and voltage Alternating Current supply (AC) / 110; 130; 220; 240 Volt
Loudspeaker 2 Loudspeakers
Power out 8 W
Model: Amigo
Material Leather / canvas / plastic - over other material
Dimensions (WHD) 500 x 400 x 235 mm / 19.7 x 15.7 x 9.3 inch

Tech Talk - Fender "Champ-Amp" 5F1

This is another in a series of really cool older amps for guitar or harmonica. This is the tweed Fender Chanp.

First introduced in 1948, it sported the name "Champion 800" (with 8" speaker), changing a year later to "Champion 600" (6" speaker) with circuit designation 5B1. It was rated at about 3 watts, featuring a "T.V. Front" style cabinet with two-tone blonde and brown vinyl covering. This style lasted until 1953, when Fender's cabinet style changed to the "Wide Panel" design with a tweed cloth covering. Fender also renamed the circuit the "5C1", "5" standing for the decade (1950s), "C" for the third circuit revision, and "1" was the Champ's circuit designation. The 5C1 circuit was extraordinarily simple, using one 6SJ7 pentode in the preamplifier section to provide a single stage of voltage amplification, one 6V6 beam power tetrode in the power amplifier section, and a single volume knob and no tone controls.By 1955 Fender started putting its amps in the "Narrow Panel" tweed cabinet with a plastic oxblood color grill cloth, and by this time the Champ was officially named the Champ (model 5E1). Through 1957, Champs only had a six inch speaker, but the 1958 model 5F1 featured an 8". The 5E1 and 5F1 circuits used a 12AX7 dual triode in the preamplifier to provide two stages of voltage amplification, and a single 6V6GT power tube to produce about 5 watts. A Champ from this era can easily be dated by the code stamped on the tube chart, by the code stamped on the speaker or by its serial number.


Get Facebook support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Novax Guitars - Natural

These guitars are the ultimate in fidelity.

Novax instruments have several unusual design features; these features, while offering an appealing and unique aesthetic, are primarily performance enhancers. Novax has redesigned the guitar to be more playable, more versatile, more in-tune, and more “open” and “alive” sounding. The playing experience is enchanting and addictive - it sounds so good and feels so natural that you’ll want to play more!

The powerful combination of the Fanned-Fret system coupled to our proprietary individual bridge system results in an instrument with exceptional articulation, a unique tonal signature, and natural playability.

An appropriate analogy might be found in the evolution of the automobile: until now, guitars have been like early cars that had carbureted engines and primitive suspension. Makes and models may look different, but under the hood, they all work the same. Novax guitars are like cars designed with fuel injection and independent 4-wheel suspension: advanced performance and way more fun!

How does the Fanned-Fret system work? By combining scale lengths customized for string tension and harmonic response, instruments with greater “fidelity” are possible. Our technical page has in-depth information about scale length if you’re interested further, but a simplified explanation would be “Imagine six one-string guitars each with a scale length optimized for the pitch and tone of that string. If a chord was formed by striking all of the one string guitars at once, how might that sound compared to one six-string guitar?
Get Facebook support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE
”

Tech Talk - Vintage Amp Gibson GA8

Another coll small amp for guitar or harp:

GA-8 Discoverer (Crestline)

15W 1x12" Guitar (Harp?) Combo
Speakers: 12" (Jensen)
Inputs: 2
Channels: 1
Volume Controls: 1
Tone Controls on Each Channel: Bass, treble
Tremolo: No
Reverb: No
Tubes: 5 (6EU7, 6C4, 2x6BQ5, 6CA4 (correspond to Epiphone EA-35 Devon))
Diodes: 0
Extension Speaker Jack: Yes
Monitor Jack: Yes
Watts Output: 15
Shipping Totals: 1962: 841, 1963: 188

Tech Talk - Masco MU-5

Older tube amps made in the 40's and 50's make terrific blues guitar and harmonica amps. This is a great review of the kind of sound you can expect from a Masco MU-5.

I LOVE THESE LITTLE BUGGERS!

Country: United States of America (USA)
Manufacturer/Brand: Masco Mark Simpson Company Inc., Long Island

Year: 1948 ? Type: Audio Amplifier
Valves / Tubes 3: 6SL7GT 6V6GT 5Y3GT
Principle Audio-Amplification
Wave bands - without
Power type and voltage Alternating Current supply (AC) / 110-130 Volt
Loudspeaker Permanent Magnet Dynamic (PDyn) Loudspeaker (moving coil) / Ø 8 inch = 20.3 cm
Power out 4.5 W
from Radiomuseum.org Model: MU5
Material Leather / canvas / plastic - over other material
Shape Tablemodel, Tombstone = decorative upright, not cathedral but can have rounded edges.
Dimensions (WHD) 350 x 250 x 180 mm / 13.8 x 9.8 x 7.1 inch

I Want You - Elvis Costello

Ok. Never thought of Elvis Costello as a blues artist I'll bet. Looks like a new waver...or just an old waver. Plays that funky Jazzmaster. I mean...that guitar doesn't even make the blues list. But he is from Britain. Ok, here.s a song to check out that may make you wonder. What is the blues. He's got the hurt, he's got the drama.... even the guitar though short.

Check it out...let me know.
Get Facebook support for your favorite band or venue - click Here