Ampeg Gemini I repair

[jdraper1986]

Hello!

New to the forum. I just bought a 1966 Ampeg Gemini I, it was recently serviced by a tech, ground cable conversion pretty sure the caps were replaced too. There was damage during shipping though. I am not super familiar with this amps setup yet but the best way i can describe it is that the big socket right by the power transformer (not the power tubes or preamp tubes) I believe this to be the phase inverter, pulled up and away from the chassis, the actual socket itself doesn't look like it was damaged but there is a wire that looks like it should be soldered to it that is loose, also the metal tab that has a screw holding the guard and the socket down to the chassis broke and is no longer making contact with the chassis. I have the ability to solder and I am wondering if i can get a replacement socket for that? and how difficult would that be and does that guard Have to be on therE for it to ground properly? Any suggestions on where to begin would be greatly appreciated!!

[jdraper1986]

forgot to attach pics

[sluckey]

That's not a tube and there is no socket. I suggest you take it to a local tech.

[pompeiisneaks]

More to sluckey's point, if you don't know enough to know what that is, the insides of an amp carry between 400-600VDC depending on the amp, and can retain that power in filter capacitors even after being turned off and left off for a while.

If you don't understand the dangers that live inside a tube amp, I highly recommend you take it to a tech, or if you insist on doing it yourself, read up a lot on how to discharge filter capacitors safely, and make sure you're being very careful.

that part that is shown damaged is one of the filter capacitor banks and if you touch those leads, it's possible they could kill you... Unlikely in an amp that's been shipped and sitting idle for a long time, but still possible.

Beware, don't kill yourself, the safest route now is to have a professional look at that amp.

~Phil

[Stevem]

That's the amps multi section power supply can filter and it looks original to me from what I can make out from the photos.

If it is original then it should get replaced and you will need a new brown phenolic mounting plate for it also.

The new can filter cost about 40 bucks these days and the mounting plate about 2 bucks.

In reality the best way to repair the amp is with 3 separate filters , two 20uf at 500 volt and one 40 uf at 500 volt.

There are also 2 other separate power supply filters that should get replaced also.