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previous: Gtrzan I got one that someone tried to rep... -- 5/21/2000 1:30 AM

Re: epiphone pacemaker -tubes?

5/21/2000 11:18 AM
MBSetzer	Re: epiphone pacemaker -tubes? Hi Paul: I have an Epiphone Pacemaker, hard to tell how old it is, '50s or '60s I would say. Small combo with satiny beige luggage covering (the kind used INSIDE suitcases), embossed diamond pattern, leather handle, tan grillecloth/gold threads. Controls in back at a slant not unlike a BF Fender has in front, otherwise chassis is same style as BF (unlike tweeds), more cheaply built though. Serial No. 23778 stamped above power switch. Epiphone, Kalamazoo, Mich. Sometime after Gibson acquired the Epiphone Co,, has GA-5 transformers. Instruments 1 & 2 inputs, single volume control, no tone control, 1A fuse, toggle switch, jewel, from left to right on light brown control panel. Jensen special design alnico 8inch speaker, haven't checked the ohms. Has original 3 RCA tubes, 5Y3GT, 12AX7, blackplate 6V6GT. Shield can over 12AX7. Fairly hardened plastic two-prong original line cord. Pine cab, plywood baffle. I also have a Gibson Skylark from 1967 that is not nearly as nice a cabinet, 100percent particleboard, and way different design, has a 10inch speaker. Has GA-5 transformers too, but both quite different. The Gibson PT is smaller than the Epiphone, the Gibson OPT is bigger. Mine is the less common Skylark with RCA 6X4, 12AX7, and 6BQ5 as its original 3 tubes. This unusual Skylark has the same circuit as ordinarily seen in the Kalamazoo Model 1. The Kalamazoo has a completely different cabinet too in appearance, but I think its particleboard as well, like the Kalamazoo electric guitar bodies of the '60's! Anyway, I like this stuff since they are all single-ended class A amps, in the same vein as a Fender Champ. Unfortunately, the multi-section paper caps in the Gibsons & Kalamazoos as well as this Epiphone of this vintage are miserable caps to begin with, with no current substitute available in the same style package. So it takes a little bench time to check what type of familiar replacement(s) will fit, and modify the amp accordingly. These are all true point-to-point assemblies without any type of wiring board. On the Skylark I used 3 separate Nichicon filters, the Epiphone was working when I got it because a tech had already put an FP can inside the chassis, insulated with electrical tape, where the paper can was, and added the necessary leads. Even with the Pacemaker working as designed with the same tubes as a Champ & similar (identical?) speaker, it is not as good by a large margin. Fender just did a better job getting excellent tone from this tube set. Even though the Pacemaker is a vintage piece, it is certainly not legendary. I would expect this amp has dissatisfied players across the board unless the circuit design & component values are tweaked to a certain extent. I haven't changed mine, and I won't experiment directly on the vintage chassis, but eventually will do a single mod session once I have figured out what changes I prefer from trying out bench models. In other words, even when it is working right you may still think something is wrong For about $10 per tube and $5 per cap in parts cost it could be $45 to likely confirm dissatisfaction. The tubes might have been removed to put in a Champ in the first place. I would offer him $50 as is unless it is beat up, or maybe make him a fair deal to take the amp & tubes back in case he is disappointed, reducing his risk . Get him to check for two octals and a 9-pin mini just to be sure. For Gtrzan, I did draw a schematic, if yours fits the same description as mine, it will take me a little time to get in GIF form, so hang in there. I know with these tubes it can be made to sound as good as a champ. Hope this helps, Mike

5/21/2000 11:18 AM

MBSetzer

Re: epiphone pacemaker -tubes?

Hi Paul:

I have an Epiphone Pacemaker, hard to tell how old it is, '50s or '60s I would say.

Small combo with satiny beige luggage covering (the kind used INSIDE suitcases), embossed diamond pattern, leather handle, tan grillecloth/gold threads. Controls in back at a slant not unlike a BF Fender has in front, otherwise chassis is same style as BF (unlike tweeds), more cheaply built though.

Serial No. 23778 stamped above power switch. Epiphone, Kalamazoo, Mich. Sometime after Gibson acquired the Epiphone Co,, has GA-5 transformers. Instruments 1 & 2 inputs, single volume control, no tone control, 1A fuse, toggle switch, jewel, from left to right on light brown control panel.

Jensen special design alnico 8inch speaker, haven't checked the ohms. Has original 3 RCA tubes, 5Y3GT, 12AX7, blackplate 6V6GT. Shield can over 12AX7. Fairly hardened plastic two-prong original line cord. Pine cab, plywood baffle.

I also have a Gibson Skylark from 1967 that is not nearly as nice a cabinet, 100percent particleboard, and way different design, has a 10inch speaker. Has GA-5 transformers too, but both quite different. The Gibson PT is smaller than the Epiphone, the Gibson OPT is bigger. Mine is the less common Skylark with RCA 6X4, 12AX7, and 6BQ5 as its original 3 tubes. This unusual Skylark has the same circuit as ordinarily seen in the Kalamazoo Model 1. The Kalamazoo has a completely different cabinet too in appearance, but I think its particleboard as well, like the Kalamazoo electric guitar bodies of the '60's!

Anyway, I like this stuff since they are all single-ended class A amps, in the same vein as a Fender Champ.

Unfortunately, the multi-section paper caps in the Gibsons & Kalamazoos as well as this Epiphone of this vintage are miserable caps to begin with, with no current substitute available in the same style package. So it takes a little bench time to check what type of familiar replacement(s) will fit, and modify the amp accordingly. These are all true point-to-point assemblies without any type of wiring board. On the Skylark I used 3 separate Nichicon filters, the Epiphone was working when I got it because a tech had already put an FP can inside the chassis, insulated with electrical tape, where the paper can was, and added the necessary leads.

Even with the Pacemaker working as designed with the same tubes as a Champ & similar (identical?) speaker, it is not as good by a large margin. Fender just did a better job getting excellent tone from this tube set. Even though the Pacemaker is a vintage piece, it is certainly not legendary. I would expect this amp has dissatisfied players across the board unless the circuit design & component values are tweaked to a certain extent. I haven't changed mine, and I won't experiment directly on the vintage chassis, but eventually will do a single mod session once I have figured out what changes I prefer from trying out bench models.

In other words, even when it is working right you may still think something is wrong ;-)

For about $10 per tube and $5 per cap in parts cost it could be $45 to likely confirm dissatisfaction. The tubes might have been removed to put in a Champ in the first place.

I would offer him $50 as is unless it is beat up, or maybe make him a fair deal to take the amp & tubes back in case he is disappointed, reducing his risk ;-)

. Get him to check for two octals and a 9-pin mini just to be sure.

For Gtrzan, I did draw a schematic, if yours fits the same description as mine, it will take me a little time to get in GIF form, so hang in there. I know with these tubes it can be made to sound as good as a champ.

Hope this helps,
Mike

Replies:

Brad MB, That must be an older ... -- 5/21/2000 11:42 AM