Hacker Gondolier GP42.

[Smt02tof]

Hi all
I am new to the forum and have just purchased a Hacker gondolier, I have been looking for one for a while when one came up locally at £80
I think it’s a bargain, the whole unit is in working order but I’m reluctant to use it until I have changed the capacitors, I have read elsewhere we start with C6 and C7 plus the C11 and C12
I have sourced the 0.5 mfd ( c6 and 7) but cannot find 50+50 mfd anywhere, I did find a 50+50 uf but not sure if this the same?
Also the volume treble and bass markers next to the knobs has rubbed of with excessive cleaning, is it possible to get transfer decals which could replace the printing?
And finally is it possible to fit a tweeter, if so which I assume is possible could anyone recommend a suitable item.
Thanks very much in advance

[Station X]

Hello and welcome to the forums.

C6 and C7 are the audio coupling capacitors and should be replaced unless they're of the "Mullard Mustard" type which are very reliable. They're 0.05uF, not 0.5uF as you state, the position of the decimal point is important. The modern equivalent to 0.05uF is 0.047uF or 47nF.

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=88767

C11 and C12 are the smoothing capacitors and should only be changed if they get hot or the player suffers from excessive mains hum.

50uF denotes 50 microfarads as does 50mfd, they're the same thing.

I suggest only changing one component at a time and testing the player after each change. Otherwise we could end up with a 100 post thread trying to sort out the mess.

[John10b]

Completely agree, may I suggest that you take some pictures before you change any component.
John

[SkipperSteve]

Originally Posted by Station X

I suggest only changing one component at a time and testing the player after each change. Otherwise we could end up with a 100 post thread trying to sort out the mess.

*waves*

[Smt02tof]

Hi john and Graham
Thanks very much for your assistance on this I have attached a photo of my amplifier

[Edward Huggins]

As regards fiiting a Tweeter, this has been discussed here before given that the Celestion speaker that Hacker fitted does have a pronounced HF roll-off. There is just not room to concentrically front mount a 2" to 3" tweeter. The best solution is to search for a 10" x 6" twin-coned ("Whizzer" cone) unit of the same impedence. Although once readily available, these will be vey hard to find nowadays.

[Station X]

Originally Posted by Smt02tof

Hi john and Graham
Thanks very much for your assistance on this I have attached a photo of my amplifier

The two caps at top right of the chassis are Mullard Mustards. Leave well alone

[Smt02tof]

Thanks Graham, thanks Edward
Graham are these caps c6 and c7
Edward I will try and source one but like you say could be a problem

[Station X]

Yes. They are C6 and C7.

Not wishing to be disrespectful, but if you're planning on changing components you should obtain the service sheet so you can identify them correctly.

[Nickthedentist]

In view of your pictures which shows that the coupling caps are top-quality ones which don't fail, if it works, I'd leave well alone and just enjoy the music.

You might want to pull a bit more of the mains lead into the chassis though, as the earth connection looks like its being strained by being pulled taut.

Nick.

[John10b]

The picture in post #5 is ok, may I suggest you take several close up ones, this can prove handy particularly if you start to change components, it’s surprising how you can sometimes forget how component or wire are connected after leaving Amp for a day or so.
John

[Smt02tof]

Thanks all, think I leave the amp well alone for now. Just a quick question, I’m told the standard cartridge is poor. I have been advised to change for a BSR SC12M, is this correct or should I leave standard ?

[Edward Huggins]

Well that all depends on what cartridge/autochanger is currently fitted. If it's a Garrard 2025/TC deck it will have an Acos GP96/1 and you can't improve on that. If it has Garrard 3000 deck it's liable to be fitted with a Sonotone 9TA/HC and you certainly can't improve on that either!

[Nuvistor]

As Edward states the original cartridges were excellent, time can take its toll on the rubber suspension though.
I wouldn’t change the cartridge unless again proved faulty.

[Smt02tof]

Yes it’s a 2025 deck and does currently have an cartridge marked GP93-1 but acos is marked on the underside, thanks for your assistance

[Edward Huggins]

Thanks for these photos. I've just noticed in your Post above said Garrard 2025 deck. Is it? It should be a Garrard 2025TC.

Your cartridge is earlier than the more usually found GP96/1, but is still capable of a good performance. Not only will a BSR SC12M (your Post #12) not sound any better, it will be quite difficult to fit to that very slim tone arm head.

[Smt02tof]

Edward you are correct I wasn’t aware there was a difference but yes it’s a 2025TC

[Smt02tof]

I have now changed the cartridge for BSM item, the original was causing the tonearm to skip on certain albums, the bsr had to be modefied to fit, a bit of cutting and filing of the mounting plate did the trick, I am finding the amp is taking quite a while to warm up when switched on, when warmed up the sound is really strong so I’m not sure any caps require changing, I know valve amps take a few seconds to warm up but this takes over a minute, a great deal longer than my Rockola 1454 jukebox does

[Edward Huggins]

Enjoy the anticipation of it warming up. It's all part of the valve experience. What's your hurry? And, in the meantime, leave those caps alone...

[Smt02tof]

Edward I will be leaving those caps alone, just a quick question what is the difference between a BSR SC11 and SC12, they look identical
and thanks very much for your assistance I'm a very happy hacker owner now