This is a project based on the small GRETSCH G5222 amplifier : a vintage-like rebuilt.
The original, bought 2nd hand for cheap :
The cab is covered with real "synthetic tweed" fabric, not a printed covering, so I put a clear coat of satin polyurethane finish on it, giving more contrast and a little "ageing" effect.
I replaced the original 6" speaker for a 8" AlNiCo Heppner from the mid-50s coming, I believe, from an organ.
And cut a new baffle for it (W=227mm x H=237mm x Thk=10mm, plywood) that I covered with a "Oxblood plus Gold Stripes" grillcloth.
I removed the original circuit from the chassis, and prepared a handwired circuit, adding requested holes, parts and modifying disposition.
Here is the circuit completed.
Here are some pictures of the finished amplifier, with its custom-made GRETSCH plate logo.
Some samples with a Gretsch G5420 and some reverb touch.
https://soundcloud.com/tubelectron/r05-0007-g5222vcm-soulrhythmmp3
https://soundcloud.com/tubelectron/r05-0032-g5222vcm-bluesmp3
https://soundcloud.com/tubelectron/r05-0018-g5222vcm-jazzrhythmmp3
https://soundcloud.com/tubelectron/r05-0010-g5222vcm-rocknrollmp3
Specs :
4W RMS pure clean sound / 5W RMS overdrive.
Normal / Raw / Boost switch underneath.
12AX7 / 6V6GTA / 5Y3GT
input 1 = normal
input 2 = lowcut
Volume control pot, no other.
Old Valco pilot light.
The circuit basis is an improved mix between a 5E1 and a 5F1 Fender Champ Tweed 50's amplifier.
A+!
The original, bought 2nd hand for cheap :
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
The cab is covered with real "synthetic tweed" fabric, not a printed covering, so I put a clear coat of satin polyurethane finish on it, giving more contrast and a little "ageing" effect.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
I replaced the original 6" speaker for a 8" AlNiCo Heppner from the mid-50s coming, I believe, from an organ.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
And cut a new baffle for it (W=227mm x H=237mm x Thk=10mm, plywood) that I covered with a "Oxblood plus Gold Stripes" grillcloth.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
I removed the original circuit from the chassis, and prepared a handwired circuit, adding requested holes, parts and modifying disposition.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
Here is the circuit completed.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
Here are some pictures of the finished amplifier, with its custom-made GRETSCH plate logo.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
Some samples with a Gretsch G5420 and some reverb touch.
https://soundcloud.com/tubelectron/r05-0007-g5222vcm-soulrhythmmp3
https://soundcloud.com/tubelectron/r05-0032-g5222vcm-bluesmp3
https://soundcloud.com/tubelectron/r05-0018-g5222vcm-jazzrhythmmp3
https://soundcloud.com/tubelectron/r05-0010-g5222vcm-rocknrollmp3
Specs :
4W RMS pure clean sound / 5W RMS overdrive.
Normal / Raw / Boost switch underneath.
12AX7 / 6V6GTA / 5Y3GT
input 1 = normal
input 2 = lowcut
Volume control pot, no other.
Old Valco pilot light.
The circuit basis is an improved mix between a 5E1 and a 5F1 Fender Champ Tweed 50's amplifier.
A+!
Love it! Sounds great, it has a cool vintage vibe going on! Am I correct in assuming you played a humbucker-equiped guitar through it? (Nice playing too by the way!)
Do you have a schematic of the circuit? I would really like to do something like this myself, those little amps turn up here every now and then for cheaps.
Do you have a schematic of the circuit? I would really like to do something like this myself, those little amps turn up here every now and then for cheaps.
Thank you, guys !
The grillcloth is called "Oxblood with Gold Stripes". You can find it at tubetown.de.
The covering tweed of the amp is the original one, with just a coat of satin polyurethane varnish brushed on it.
Yes, the guitar is a GRETSCH G5420 :
And here is the complete schematic of my GRETSCH G5222-VCM :
This schematic can apply for a FENDER Champion 600 RI, since it shares exactly the same chassis as the G5222.
A+!
The grillcloth is called "Oxblood with Gold Stripes". You can find it at tubetown.de.
The covering tweed of the amp is the original one, with just a coat of satin polyurethane varnish brushed on it.
Yes, the guitar is a GRETSCH G5420 :
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
And here is the complete schematic of my GRETSCH G5222-VCM :
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
This schematic can apply for a FENDER Champion 600 RI, since it shares exactly the same chassis as the G5222.
A+!
Terrific, thank you! I've repaired my tube amps and built parts of it (like bias boards, changing the circuit and installing new tube feet etc.) but never built a complete amp from scratch. This looks it could be my first 🙂
I have that grill cloth,, that is easy to get.
That tweed fabric however, impossible to locate. The normal Fender style stuff is easy to get.
The stuff on that amp is STUNNING!!!
I love that look.
If I ever find someplace that has it, I will be in heaven!
Thanks for posting this stuff!!
Thank you guys,
Yes, I never found it too. Only the diagonal all-around Fender tweed that I dislike (but it's me) is available. The tweed is the original one that was put on the amp : it is like the original GRETSCH chequered tweed that can be found on vintage Electromatics from the 50's.
I think that you have here all the informations to go safely on such a little project, but if I can help for additional input, feel free to ask, no issue.
A+!
Yes, I never found it too. Only the diagonal all-around Fender tweed that I dislike (but it's me) is available. The tweed is the original one that was put on the amp : it is like the original GRETSCH chequered tweed that can be found on vintage Electromatics from the 50's.
I think that you have here all the informations to go safely on such a little project, but if I can help for additional input, feel free to ask, no issue.
A+!
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