AEG-Electrolux GIBSON SUPER GOLDTONE User Manual

GA-30RV
GA-60RV

GA-30RVH

OPERATING

INSTRUCTIONS

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on your purchase of a Gibson Super ‘Goldtone’ valve guitar amplifier.
Please take a few minutes to read this owners manual so you may fully understand the
extensive capabilities of this unit. With a little care your new amplifier should provide
you with years of satisfactory service.

The Super ‘Goldtone’ range currently consists of the following products:

GA-30RV 30 watt Class A 1x10 + 1x12 combo
GA-60RV 60 watt Class A/B 2x12 combo
GA-30RVH 30 watt Class A head
SGT Cabinet 2x10 + 2x12 Mono/Stereo speaker cabinet

The main preamp functions on all models are more or less the same, with different valve
power stages and/or speaker configurations used in each particular unit. All features and
differences between models are described further on.
The circuit topology has been based on traditional guitar amplifier designs, with new
ideas incorporated where beneficial.
The complete signal path; preamp, effects loop, reverb and power stage, on all models is
100% valve.
The switching circuitry for the different functions is all based around momentary switches
controlling CMOS logic devices which then switch relays or FET’s within the audio
circuitry. This provides very low switching noise, excellent sonic performance and the
ability to switch all the functions from multiple sources.
All Power and Output transformers and Chokes are custom made for maximum
performance using high grade laminations. Windings are resin soaked and made to pass
international approvals.
A highly regulated DC supply is used for heater filaments in all preamp valves for
minimal hum levels.
Where appropriate an external biasing facility is featured - this enables techs to
check/reset output bias at any time without removing the chassis. This also enables the
use of several different valve types including EL34, 6L6, 6550 and KT88.
Internal wiring and glass epoxy circuit board layouts use multiple return, star earthing, for
low noise and hum. All audio sections have been laid out for maximum sonic
performance using ‘point to point’ wiring principles.
Porcelain valve sockets and gold plated jack sockets are used exclusively throughout.

3

FAST TRACK GUIDE AND SWITCH ON SEQUENCE

1. Check that the POWER switch on the rear panel is set to OFF and that the unit has
the correct speaker load connected.

2. Connect the unit to an appropriate mains power point with the mains lead provided.

We also recommend that the MASTER volume is turned down to zero before switch
on or switch off purely to prevent any unwanted noises from being amplified loudly.

Switch POWER switch to the STANDBY position.

3. While the unit is warming up (allow at
the INPUT socket on the front panel and connect any effects units that may be used.

4. Switch POWER switch from STANDBY to ON.

5. Set all front panel controls to half way as a starting point and then adjust to taste.

6. After use, switch to STANDBY and then OFF.

FULL OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

FRONT PANEL

least

one minute), connect your instrument to

Preamp features and controls

The preamp section is 100% valve and consists of two parallel preamp channels and a
BOOST function that can be used on either channel. This allows FOUR different sounds
to be selected from either the front panel or 2-way footswitch. Using the optional 5-way
foot controller allows both channels to be used at once with BOOST on or off giving a
total of SIX available preamp sounds.
A regulated DC supply is used throughout the preamp for the cathode heaters, this
massively reduces any hum picked up within the preamp to extremely low levels, even
when set for high gain.
When first switched on the unit should default to PREAMP ONE (green LED), BOOST off
(LED off), EFFECTS off and REVERB on.

Input

A single jack socket is provided for connection to your instrument. This has a high
impedance input which allows for perfect matching to both passive and active guitars.
When there is no jack inserted into the input, the output of the preamp to the power
stage is muted; this prevents any noise from being amplified when the unit is not in use.

N.B. Please read the section on the EFFECTS LOOP if a SUPER ‘GOLDTONE’ is to be
used as a slave amp for a stereo set-up.

4

Preamp select switch

This enables the user to switch between PREAMP ONE and PREAMP TWO from the front
panel. This can also be switched from the 2-way footswitch provided or by the optional
5-way foot controller.
The corresponding LED will light up green for PREAMP ONE and red for PREAMP TWO.
It will also light up amber if the 5-way footswitch is used and PREAMP 0NE & TWO are
selected.

N.B. If the 2-way footswitch is used to switch to CHANNEL 2 this will take priority over
the push switch.

Boost select switch

This enables the user to switch the BOOST function on and off from the front panel. This
can also be switched from the 2-way footswitch provided or by the optional 5-way foot
controller.
The corresponding LED will light up red when BOOST is selected.

N.B. If the 2-way footswitch is used to switch on BOOST this will take priority over the
push switch.

Preamp one

This channel has been voiced primarily for clean sounds with the controls at low to
halfway settings, but with higher settings it can be driven harder for classic slightly
overdriven blues tones or a vintage style crunch.
Using the BOOST function further increases the sonic capabilities.

Volume

This sets the level of PREAMP ONE and also has a large effect on the tone. From low to
medium settings the sound is bright and clean which will suit most clean guitar styles. As
it is increased the preamp will be pushed gradually towards a more overdriven tone,
which responds well to the players dynamics.

Treble, Middle & Bass

The tone controls are all passive and interactive.
TREBLE, MIDDLE and BASS all work in the conventional way, on this channel the
operating frequencies have been set specifically for vintage clean and slightly overdriven
sounds. Passive controls were chosen throughout the amplifier as they provide the best
and most natural kind of equalisation for a guitar signal.

5

Preamp two

This channel has been voiced primarily for overdriven tones although the overall sound
produced can be altered radically depending on where the different controls are set.
Using the BOOST fuction further increases the sonic capabilities.

Gain

This control adjusts the degree of drive in PREAMP TWO. Due to the design of the highly
responsive all valve preamp this allows adjustment of the tone from clean, through
crunch, to very dirty, adding the BOOST will then increase the sustain even further. Total
amount of gain available should be enough for even the most extreme rock styles. This
preamp is also very responsive to the players dynamics and use of the volume on the
guitar.

Level

This control sets the overall output level for PREAMP TWO and can be used to balance
the volume of the two preamps.

Treble, Middle & Bass

The TREBLE, MIDDLE and BASS controls on PREAMP TWO are also passive and
interactive, however, for this preamp the operating frequencies have been specifically set
for mainly over driven tones.

Reverb
Preamp 1, Preamp 2

These control the level of the reverb for each preamp respectively.
On the GA-30RV, and GA-60RV models the effect is produced by a six spring
ACCUTRONICS reverb tray in the cabinet.
The optional 5-way foot controller can be used to switch the reverb effect on and off.
N.B. Due to the amount of reverb available, in some extreme settings; i.e. loud, lots of
gain and lots of reverb, there may be occasions when the reverb springs start to self
oscillate, producing a low pitched tone on their own. If this should happen then it is
recommended that the gain, volume and/or reverb settings are adjusted to prevent this.
N.B. If both preamps are selected using the 5-way foot controller the reverb level will be
controlled by the PREAMP 2 control.

Master Volume

This sets the level of signal sent to the power amp and consequently the overall volume
of the amplifier.

6

Power Switch
Off/Standby/On

This switches the amplifier from OFF to STANDBY mode, where only the valve filament
heaters are on, to ON for actual use. This should be used correctly every time the unit is
used to prevent problems with valves and to increase their life. Please refer to SWITCH
ON SEQUENCE earlier in the manual.
After switching of it is recommended, as with all valve amplifiers, that it does not receive
any sudden physical shocks while the valves are still hot, i.e. through moving the unit. If
possible try to give the amplifier a few minutes to cool down before transporting it.

REAR PANEL

GA-30RV & GA30RVH

GA-60RV

Footswitch Control Sockets
DIN Socket - For 5-Way Foot Controller

This is an 8 pin DIN connector that when connected to the optional five way foot
controller allows the user to do the following:- switch between PREAMP 1 and PREAMP
2, switch BOOST on and off, switch both preamps
on, switch EFFECTS LOOP on and off and REVERB
on and off.This socket may also be used to connect
the SUPER “GOLDTONE” to an external (MIDI)
switching unit, with an appropriate lead dependant
on particular device used.
Bear in mind that the SUPER “GOLDTONE”
internal switching is designed to respond to
momentary (non latching) switching and that
the external switching unit should be set for this.

For more advice on this please contact the
Service Dept. or distributor in your territory.

PIN CONNECTION FOR

8 WAY DIN CONNECTOR

7