Epiphone ea-32-rvt reverb trouble

[Rauf]

I recently scored a 1966 Epiphone ea32rvt. It's in really nice shape, complete with foot switch. Just missing the upper back panel and only has 4 original knobs. Had a bad hum so I replaced the filter caps. Fixed that problem, now the reverb has an intermittent problem. Sometimes it works perfectly. But at times it stays on all the time, even with the volume and reverb knobs turned all the way down. The switch will still kill it. It scratches and pops when I wiggle the 12au7. I've cleaned the tube socket by spraying deox in it and working the tube in and out, resoldered all the connections on the tube and tried 3 different 12au7s. Still has the same problem. Is there another way to clean the tube socket? I would hate to replace the socket because it's riveted in. This amp uses the reverb driver transformer. I also have a Gibson ga35 rvt with the same circuit that has a blown power transformer if anyone has any info on a replacement. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[xtian]

Welcome to TAG.

Also clean the pots, especially the Reverb level pot, with DeOxIt D5. That might explain the intermittent "always on" reverb.

[Phil_S]

I'm reasonably sure this transformer will work. I believe all the Gibson/Epi products of that era used the same reverb.
https://www.mercurymagnetics.com/?s=Gib ... pe=product

You say the foot switch operates as intended. That eliminates the switch and probably the 5 pin socket as problems. Noise on the pot and failure to operate as expected suggests to me it may need replacement. Maybe you get lucky with pot cleaner? 500KA and should be an easy find.

I've got a GA20-RVT with essentially the same circuit, though the tubes may be a little different. There is a 12AU7 in front of the tank. Both halves are in the reverb circuit. There is a different 12AU7 after the tank, using one triode for recovery. On mine, these are V2 and V3. It sounds like you swapped V2 but not V3. You may want to swap V3 (or whatever it is in yours) before your do anything drastic. But I really think your description points to the pot and V2.

If yours has those super cheap wafer tube sockets riveted to the chassis, I wouldn't hesitate to drill out the rivets and mount a good quality socket with #4 screws and nuts. It may be that the socket is simply beyond its useful life and you have no choice.

[Stevem]

In regards to your Gibson power transformer needs, it looks like a replacement would need 2.8 to 3.2 amps of 6.3 volt heater current, and for the D.C. Secondary side 190 ma of current at 320/320 volts center tapped.

[Phil_S]

Sorry, I misread the OP's post about needing a power transformer for the GA35-RVT and posted a link for a reverb transformer. Reverb is the topic title. The PT is nothing special. Thanks SteveM!