Check this out, I lacquered the tweed on the G5222 amp and added a weber alnico speaker. I also added a leather handle and put a real jewel light in it instead of that cheap plastic one that comes with it. The amp sounds great for it's size, now if I can just figure out why it's popping. It did it before the speaker change. I think the power tube is going bad or something? I didn't take any shots of the speaker, but here it is. I think it turned out pretty good.
Gretsch 5222 amp Lacquered/Added Weber Alnico speaker!!!
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- Rated: 115 ↑
Aug 31, 2008 4:36 p.m. wenzel:
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- Rated: 39 ↑
Aug 31, 2008 8:01 p.m. JBGretschguy:
Cheers, Chris! Welcome to the large and proud "Laquered and Weber Alnico" 5122 club. You can also change C1 capacitor to a 500pf Silver Mica for clearer highs and more pronounced upper mids.
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- Rated: 115 ↑
Aug 31, 2008 8:36 p.m. wenzel:
JB, do you have instructions on how to do that mod and where to get a good oil capacitor or otherwise? Thanks...
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- Rated: 32 ↑
Aug 31, 2008 10:09 p.m. RepentOrPerish:
Wow. Thats really a nice photo Wenz. Do you have any links to the speaker or pics of it?
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- Rated: 53 ↑
Aug 31, 2008 10:14 p.m. Bear:
Man, that looks GOOD!!!
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- Rated: 54 ↑
Aug 31, 2008 10:14 p.m. Curt:
I was waiting for someone to do that.
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- Rated: 115 ↑
Aug 31, 2008 10:20 p.m. wenzel:
If you search weber speakers and click on their signature alnico series you'll find it. I got the link from setzer on here. Thanks for the props on the photo!!! I enjoy photography a lot! I'll take a photo of the speaker in a few hours for you, but I believe Setzer already did. The trick a lot of people neglect to do when they use zinnser shellac to "lacquer" their cabinets is that they put 3 coats of the amber color. The trick with tweed is to do one coat only in amber and then do 2 clear coats over that. Any more than 1 coat of the amber and your amp will really look like a pumpkin.
Thanks again guys. BTW, I changed out the 12AX7 preamp tube to another vintage silvertone RCA tube and the amp seems to be running smoothly with no more pops. It sounds awesome with this new Alnico speaker in it. $45 bucks well spent!
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- Rated: 54 ↑
Aug 31, 2008 10:23 p.m. Curt:
Josh has the cap mod dialed in and it makes this amp sound much bigger than it is. I used the Weber that breaks up later.
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- Rated: 39 ↑
Aug 31, 2008 10:36 p.m. JBGretschguy:
Chris, C1 is on the top of the printed circuit board out in the open. If you use a good desoldering braid and hot soldering iron, you can desolder it from the top of the PCB. (the 5222 PCB uses aerospace/military style plated-through holes, so you have to "wick" the solder up through the hole.)
Weber sells the 500pf Silver Mica capacitor for about 55 cents. You won't find them at Radio Shack, but a good electronics store should have them. In a pinch, you could use a ceramic one, such as is in there right now.
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- Rated: 115 ↑
Aug 31, 2008 10:49 p.m. wenzel:
Note: There is clearance between the 6V6 tube and the speaker magnet. It's only about 1mm though, but there is some clearance. The photo's look deceiving in that respect............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ .....................................................................................................................................
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- Rated: 115 ↑
Sep 1, 2008 7:16 a.m. wenzel:
Here's the link to Weber. https://taweber.powweb.com/weber/ Click on "Signature Series". I ordered the 4 ohm speaker with the fully ribbed cone for the latest breakup. The stock speaker was smooth and broke up way too early and too often.
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- Rated: 97 ↑
Sep 1, 2008 1:08 p.m. Setzer:
Looks great Chris! Did you move the baffle over a bit like I did?
Josh, have you got an extra 500pf Silver Mica capacitor you could send me. My amp begs for your mod.
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- Rated: 115 ↑
Sep 1, 2008 1:26 p.m. wenzel:
Setzer, thanks! No, I didn't move it a bit. There's a tiny bit of clearance as it is for the power tube. I'd like to move it, but I'm not sure how to do that easily? I guess you'd have to drill new holes in it and shift it over to the left from the rear view??? I don't think I'm going to mess with it unless I put a taller tube in there. For now it's ok.
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- Rated: 56 ↑
Sep 1, 2008 2:51 p.m. fieldhdj:
I have been putting off that cap swap for a few months now.
Looks like The Tube Store sells 500pf Silver Mica capacitors for a $1.00.
After a $45 Weber and a $40 JAN GE 12AX7WA, why stop now?
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- Rated: 115 ↑
Sep 1, 2008 3:08 p.m. wenzel:
Doug, I put in one of the original 12AX7's with the silvertone stamp on it. I'm sure it's an RCA, although it's not labeled other than Silvertone being painted on it. I think that tube sounds awesome. Funny thing is that I still have 6 or 7 more of them. The tube that came with it was a Chinese new remake, but it didn't sound as good to me.
I have to thank a certain GDP member for sending me this amp. I don't want to say who it was in case he/she doesn't want to be identified.
THANKS!!!
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- Rated: 38 ↑
Sep 1, 2008 5:42 p.m. roadjunkie:
I don't think you could fit one of my coke bottle 6v6's even if the baffle was moved over but I'd sure like to hear it!
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- Rated: 115 ↑
Sep 1, 2008 5:51 p.m. wenzel:
Anything can be done with proper planning and patience! If I had to I was going to build a new box and put an 8" weber alnico in there. I didn't have to though. I was rockin' the amp today and it really sounds like the early stray cats "rock this town" comes to mind or "Stray cat strut". It's weird coming from a 6" speaker, but this thing really holds its own.
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- Rated: 38 ↑
Sep 1, 2008 6:24 p.m. roadjunkie:
If we do that fall gathering I'll bring some toys like the JBL and the 12 pulled from a DR along with a Texas Heat and we can do a mix and match! Does the Electromatic have a quarter inch speaker input?
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- Rated: 32 ↑
Sep 1, 2008 9:21 p.m. RepentOrPerish:
thanks for the pics. If it breaks up later, Im in !
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- Rated: 115 ↑
Sep 1, 2008 9:40 p.m. wenzel:
It only really breaks up if you dig in. Normal playing is quite smooth and refined. At max volume it will have a smooth distorted tone, but way more controlled than the flailing stock speaker was. It's like a whole new animal. Who votes that sound clips are in order???
RoadJunkie, yes it has a 1/4" speaker out jack. Just bring a speaker cable and we're in business! Make sure whatever you bring is 4 ohms or higher so we don't blow the transformer...
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- Rated: 38 ↑
Sep 1, 2008 10:02 p.m. roadjunkie:
Wenzel said: RoadJunkie, yes it has a 1/4" speaker out jack. Just bring a speaker cable and we're in business! Make sure whatever you bring is 4 ohms or higher so we don't blow the transformer...
I have that all covered and I'll bring the fargen and TH for good measure.
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- Rated: 115 ↑
Sep 1, 2008 10:11 p.m. wenzel:
Cool, please give me ample notice for the next get together as I am scheduled to go TDY in twice in the next two months. TDY = Going away somewhere temporarily for the military in Layman's terms... For those who don't know.
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- Rated: 65 ↑
Sep 2, 2008 11:23 p.m. antik:
Take care of yourself Chris. It sucks to spend time away from your family. I know it's tough on the families. Hopefully the time away will be short and not in dangerous places.
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- Rated: 32 ↑
Sep 3, 2008 6:57 p.m. RepentOrPerish:
I recently had a cool experience with my liitle 5222. I played it during a photo shoot, with my upright bassist and a Martin DR flattop playing acoustically. With the amp tilted up and against a garage door, it was the perfect volume for a nice mini gig! It did crunch out on me, even with Dynas, so I am really interested in getting that speaker. On the Weber website , someone says you have to have the chassis installed cockeyed to clear the speaker magnet? Did you have this problem Chris?
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- Rated: 115 ↑
Sep 3, 2008 7:14 p.m. wenzel:
No problems here!!!
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