Question for Gibson GA-50T owners

[Bigsbyguy]

Anyone got a GA-50T with the foot switch that can post some images and answers a few questions? Like does the bottom slide out to access the switch?
I bought one for my '53 which I think is bit later 50's example. It has what appears to be a piece of masonite type material that slides out to access the switch for replacement. My amp has the cord but no FS. What I wanted to do is simply swap cords but I can't get the cover to co-operate!

[David B]

Here’s mine. It looks like the foot switch once had a base glued to it, but it was long gone before I got it.

[Bigsbyguy]

Thanks for the pics. My amp came with the brown zip cord but no FS. I put a female jack on it and was using an aftermarket FS. Not an easy part to find, I looked for 2 years. bofore one finally popped on fleabay. I figured it's from a later amp by the grey cord.
The bottom looks like it slides out but I can't get it to budge. My plan is to replace the original cord vs: breaking the cover trying to remove it. The switch works and should be an easy swap.
In a Google search most of the images show the brown crinkle paint style. The one I got is black, or very dark brown. Sorry for the blurry fist image.

What does yours have for a fuse cap? Mines got the typical cone shape and it keeps the back cover from clipping on correctly. The lower clips on both sides have been removed but I have replacements. I was thinking about swapping the fuse holder with a flush screw in cap style to remedy that while I have the chassis out.

Does yours have a replacement handle?

[Easy2grasp]

This Etsy seller makes a pretty good reproduction of this switch.
Tremolo/ Vibrato Footswitch 1950's Tweed Amp Vintage - Etsy

[David B]

What does yours have for a fuse cap? Mines got the typical cone shape and it keeps the back cover from clipping on correctly. The lower clips on both sides have been removed but I have replacements. I was thinking about swapping the fuse holder with a flush screw in cap style to remedy that while I have the chassis out.

Does yours have a replacement handle?

Mine has a replacement leather strap that has likely been there for a long time. I have a bunch of photos of mine in this thread: Gibson GA-50T

[Bigsbyguy]

Thanks. I found a one, though probably a bit later than my amp.

[Bigsbyguy]

I recall seeing that one. I had one, trem or not, on my bucket list. I asked a friend that has a pile of amps and he thought he’d sold the one he had. Luckily it turned out he hadn’t. It had been serviced and the handle replaced when I got it. Speakers were good, it was missing the logo like a lot of them. I replaced it though not truly correct, and got some 6SJ7GT’s.
I’m not a huge tremolo user but I like the trem on these.
Dont know why some images came out upside down?

[Marc01]

That's a beauty. I just got my hands on a GA-50T that needs some TLC. Lots of original caps to replace. In your post you show a good photo of where the footswitch attaches. Do you have good photos like that of the rest of the circuit? If so, they would help me sort out what's what in my amp. I see you've left the oil-filled bathtub caps in place. Can I assume that they are there for show and no longer in the circuit? (Looks like the can cap was disconnected.) Thanks for any help. Marc

[Bigsbyguy]

Marc, I can't really answer, I have a tech. I decided long ago to leave amp repair to someone else. It was serviced when I got it. It was serviced by either Skip Simmons or Jeff Miles in the Bay Area. My guess is Skip, but I do recall the guy I got it from saying Jeff had changed the handle so he may have done the service.

Here's what I have for "gut" shots. Post some of your amp as you go thru it. FWIW if you need it I have a foot switch bracket.

I had a GA-50 and it fit in my 58 Super cab. The amp sounds WAAAY better in that type of cab. The 50T is bit too wide but it does fit in a Bassman size cab I have. Someday I'll make baffle for it and give that a shot. Someday.....

[Bigsbyguy]

"I see you've left the oil-filled bathtub caps in place. Can I assume that they are there for show and no longer in the circuit?"

Are you talking about the Silver part that has MYR 4025 stamped on the casing? That's an oil filled cap?

[Marc01]

Those pictures are just what I needed. Thanks for sending. Yes, those silver parts with 'MYR 4025' stamped on them are capacitors. There is a stack of two. If you look just below the 'MYR' you'll see the capacitance value stamped there too, in this case .25 uF, 400v.

Here is a picture of the guts of mine as I received it. I plan to change all the caps and whatever resistors have drifted more than 10-15%.