Gibson GA-25 almost inaudible

[Loreto]

Around a month ago I bought a Gibson GA-25 on Reverb, but never got around to actually opening it up until recently. 1948 Gibson GA-25 20W Combo Amp | Reverb

I put in the tubes, and booted it up, but the audio is so quiet that it's virtually worthless as an amp.


https://www.youtube.com/shorts/vZaUMQXL3U8

Does anyone have any advice on what the issue might be? There's no good amp techs around but only general electricians.

[6v6ster]

I’m an amp tech, this could be sooo many different problems. Assuming you’ve tried new tubes.
After that you’d need a meter to check all the voltages to make sure all the tubes are getting the right juice. If not it could be a problem with the power supply (most common). But you need to send it out unless you can do this yourself.

[Jabberwocky]

I'm NOT an amp tech but that has never stopped me. It fired up. It played. I thought it sounded very good in your video. I don't know how loudly it is supposed to play but it does not appear to be broken.

Call up Hime Amplification in Nashville, Tennessee. Since the seller claimed they worked on the amp recently, they should be able to advise you on what is wrong or right with your amp. Unless the seller was telling a porky...

For $1495, it had better work as intended.

[Jabberwocky]

Hime Amplification 615-562-0089
2127 Utopia Ave, Nashville, TN 37211, United States.

[Loreto]

I'm NOT an amp tech but that has never stopped me. It fired up. It played. I thought it sounded very good in your video. I don't know how loudly it is supposed to play but it does not appear to be broken.

This is on full volume with the guitar also on full volume, what you're hearing (unless I'm wrong) is likely just acoustic volume from the guitar. I have much lower wattage amps (Princeton Reverb, Gibson BR-6, Gibsonette) and they ALL sound significantly louder on the knob around 2-3.

Thanks for the advice and contact on calling them up though! I'll definitely do that.

[David B]

You should post about this on Facebook in the 'Vintage Gibson tube amplifiers users' group. There's a wealth of experience and expertise with amps of this period there.
Here's the link: Log into Facebook