A box of questions.

[Tomperi]

I just accidentally won an amp on Ebay. I payed 120€ for it, and its a "GEM Electronics Saturn B50".. Apparently.

It seem to feature 2 channels, 4 EL84 power valves and a transistor preamp. Output is 50W(?). Born in Italy on the ninth of January 1975. And that's pretty much all I know about it. I'd really appreciate any and all information you can provide about this amp.

I don't have a cab yet, so I have no idea how it sounds, but there is an EBS Classic 410CL 500W I've been checking out. Do you think this cab will fit this amp? Even if it turns out it sounds like a fart through a trombone, it's not that big of a loss financially.

Here are some pictures:

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[Kmonk]

How do you "accidentally" win an item?

 

[Tomperi]

Well, the price was on 108€ and I bid 120€, with an hour left. I expected to get overbid because I thought it would be worth slightly more than that, but I ended up winning it..

 

[nashvillebill]

It's got a solid-state preamp and tube power amp. Probably would stay fairly clean up until those EL84's run out of power, which would be around 40 to 50 watts.

Might want to bend that chassis back so it doesn't look so goofy looking at the back Check the tube socket in that area to make sure it didn't get cracked, a crack might arc over and ruin lots of stuff. Also check the wires going down to the output transformer on the far right, they are rubbing against the steel chassis and might be wearing through.

Probably could stand new electrolytic capacitors too.

 

[P Town]

Don't forget that the cabinet impedance should match the output transformer secondary rating.

 

[B-string]

Maybe Champ Electronics can help with some info http://www.chambonino.com/work/miscguitar/misc18.html.

 

[Tomperi]

Thanks for the advise!

The seller claimed the impedance this thing can handle is 4 Ohms. Here's to hoping it won't turn into a cloud of smoke when I try it

 

[Thrillhouse]

I actually really dig the vibe of that amp. I love weird off-brand gear (if that is an off-brand, I've never seen it before so I assume it is but I could be wrong).

 

[BassmanPaul]

Probably would stay fairly clean up until those EL84's run out of power, which would be around 40 to 50 watts.

Depends on how they are biased. With fixed bias 50W would be about the amps maximum. With cathode bias 30W would be closer.

 

[nashvillebill]

Thanks for the advise!

The seller claimed the impedance this thing can handle is 4 Ohms. Here's to hoping it won't turn into a cloud of smoke when I try it

I would advise having a tech check it out before plugging it in.

 

[4-stringB]

At least somewhere along the line, a tech added a grounded cord.

 

[Pimmsley]

Are you sure they are EL34's?.. They don't look like EL34's

 

[B-string]

Are you sure they are EL34's?.. They don't look like EL34's

Nope the OP said EL84s

 

[Pimmsley]

Nope the OP said EL84s

Sorry my bad, I think I need glasses

 

[B-string]

Sorry my bad, I think I need glasses

The 8 and 3 look so much alike typed. I first miss-read 34 and double checked after seeing the pics. We just don't see a lot of 84s in MI amps unless you are a VOX fan.

 

[Pimmsley]

The 8 and 3 look so much alike typed. I first miss-read 34 and double checked after seeing the pics. We just don't see a lot of 84s in MI amps unless you are a VOX fan.

Thanks B I have a friend who swears by them in HI-FI applications (his amps do sound stunning), have not seen or heard them in MI amps myself. Must read up on the VOX's.

 

[B-string]

Check out the Jennings Vox AC15's and AC30's they are the most famous and spurred the interest (IMO) of EL84/6BQ5.

 

[Pimmsley]

Check out the Jennings Vox AC15's and AC30's they are the most famous and spurred the interest (IMO) of EL84/6BQ5.

Cool... Will do, cheers and Merry Christmas

 

[B-string]

Cool... Will do, cheers and Merry Christmas

And a happy new year to you as well!

 

[Chainsaw Willie]

The 8 and 3 look so much alike typed. I first miss-read 34 and double checked after seeing the pics. We just don't see a lot of 84s in MI amps unless you are a VOX fan.

They are not too rare today in smaller guitar amps.

It seems like in the late '90s EL84s were used in a lot of smaller guitar amps where you would expect 6V6s. I am assuming they were cheap and more available than 6V6s then? Just guessing.

Mesa Boogie had the Studio 22, the Blue Angel, and the Subway series amps. Fender had the Blues Junior, and Pro Junior. The Epiphone Valve Junior was popular a few years ago.

But before the '90s the only thing I can think of them in are Vox amps and those Kalamazoo practice amps. I never saw one in any bass amp before.