Re: [Harp-L] check your amp, GA45RV & Thanks Sonny!

["Matt Rackerby" <rackerby@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Grant,

I second Daniel's recommendation.  I also have a Maestro GA-45RV (with a 
reverb, no tremolo) that had a buzz in one of the 8" speakers when I pushed 
the amp while drawing on the 1 hole (A) of an G harp.  I mailed the speaker 
to OCS who fixed the buzz and had the speaker back to me in about 10-14 
days.  More importantly, they ensured me they would keep everything to 
original specifications.  The buzz wasn't a torn cone, but rather the back 
of the speakers' dohicky rubbing on the side of the whatchamaycallit (forgot 
the terms, to lazy to look it up) and it now sounds like new, er old, 
whatever.   For for small/medium venues with moderate guitar volumes, I love 
it's old corky, sagging, barking, vintage sound.  This one has 3 x 6eu7 
preamp tubes, so you can't tube swap, but by playing with bass and treble 
settings, switching input channels or bridging them I can change it up a 
bit.  I thought I was going to sell the Maestro amp after buying one from 
Sonny Jr., but it's like selling off one of my kids,  I just can't do it . . 
. yet.  Great reverb too.

On the other hand, Sonny Jr.'s Cruncher is far more flexible with more 
"cajones" when needed.  It has tone, it cuts, it rocks!  I haven't even used 
the line out yet.  The first two times I played out with it I had to be 
careful to not piss off the lead guitarist/host by being louder than him in 
an small tavern jam setting.  Well, OK the first time I used it I did upset 
the lead guitarist a little (he he he) but asked forgiveness since I'm just 
a developing novice.  Thanks Sonny!

Matt Rackerby

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Daniel Gage" <dan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 9:28 AM
To: "Grant Walters" <grant@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] check your amp

> Grant,
>
> Don't replace, REPAIR your vintage speakers.  I had a similar thing happen 
> with the Jensens in my brown Concert. Only one speaker was working out of 
> four.   After 40+ years, the paper used to cone those speakers is bound to 
> give out.  The magnet is still probably capable of giving you a great 
> sound.  I took the advice of my amp tech and sent the speakers to Orange 
> County Speakers for re-coning.  I was very happy with the result and the 
> cost.  If you want to hear the amp, here's a video of me playing through 
> it.
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hw3f-PUmEM
>
> Thanks,
> Dan Gage
> "12gagedan" on youtube
>
> --- On Wed, 5/12/10, Grant Walters <grant@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > From: Grant Walters <grant@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > Subject: [Harp-L] check your amp
> > To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> > Date: Wednesday, May 12, 2010, 11:45 AM
> > At a gig the other day in a loud
> > setting..(car/plane show)
> > I was bugging the sound guy that I was not in the mix...
> >
> > He went up and stuck his head down by my amp,
> > something I can't do while I am holding a bullet mic...
> > without getting feedback....
> >
> > I was surprised to hear that the speaker that I had them
> > pointing at with their mic
> > was not even working...
> > In fact, only one of the speakers on my Gibson Maestro GA45
> > (1958)
> > was working.  For how long have I been doing this?
> > I wondered why my volume was so low.....duh...
> >
> > I may need to fix or replace these...
> > I will take a look at them when I get a chance..hope it is
> > a bad connection.
> >
> > Just a reminder to ya all to make sure all the speakers are
> > working..
> > I was used to my old Deluxe with the single speaker and
> > just forgot to check this out.
> > (this was my replacement for that one, double trouble)
> > I do love the vintage sound...but it comes with a price.
> >
> > By the way, it sounded OK for the gig with the mic in the
> > right place...
> >
> > If I were to need to replace these  Jensen 8J11s (8")
> > is there a smart place to go...for real vintage
> > replacement?
>
> >