Any small Gibson amp fans here?

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tonepoet	Any small Gibson amp fans here?	Lead	[-]
Posts: 21 (12/20/02 14:37) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Tags : None Any fans of the small Gibbys here? One of the several models called GA-5? I have two GA-5s. The 1958 is nearly identical to a Champ. 12AX7 / 6V6 / 5Y3. 8" speaker. My 1962 is 6EU7, 6C4, 6AQ5, 6AQ5, 6X4 with one 10" speaker. They also made a GA-5 using 6BQ5s. You think they could have thought of different model numbers, but GA-5 is one that they used for about 7 different amps. Have fun, tonepoet
strata189	gibson	#1	[-]
Posts: 29 (12/22/02 02:35) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Hey tonepoet, I have an old Epiphone (gibson GA20 RVT) that I like a lot. 2- 6EU7s,3- 12AU7s, 2- EL84s, and a 12" Not really that small, but compared to my Marshalls, it seems so. I wish there was more BB activity regarding these amps, as I'm fond of their sound, but they lack the cachet of Fender. Randy
EMan	Re: gibson	#2	[-]
Posts: 5389 (12/22/02 11:42) Hell Yes, I'm from Texas Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	It seems that there is a BB for just about anything these days. Have you guys tried looking for one? Maybe the Les Paul BB has someone that can point you to a decent BB for these amps. ...send money...
sixty2strat	ga17rtv	#3	[-]
Posts: 4 (12/29/02 23:31) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I just got a gibson ga17rtv scout on thursday. I had one in the 80's as my first real amp ....got rid of the namless black box transitor 39.95 special for it. traded it for and sg after I got a marshall, and regretted it ever since. it took a beating and nothing ever soundeds as good barring a plexi on 10. Real shame that these amps get no respect. I like them better than the fenders and at a fraction of the cost the are bargins. I use mine for my archtop and it sounds amazing ....best amp for my jazz guitar work. I bet in ten years they will command outrageous prices. once old fender have been bought up.
Unregistered(d)	I also have a Scout!	#4	[-]
Posts: 0 (04/08/03 09:58) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I have tinkered a little with mine. I have placed larger coupling caps in parallel with the originals. This does two things. First it makes it so the upgrade caps can be taken out to restore the amp to original. Secondly, it opens up the mids and low end a lot more as the .005 and such coupling caps of the Scout were what made it so bright. It did not lose the crispness at all, just a wider range. I am about to put a Weber 12 or a new Jensen reissue in it to complete the opening of the frequency response. I love the Scout dearly. Even without the mods it was something special. With them it is the equal of a Deluxe with no problem, but with a trem that I think is superior to the Deluxe. Just my own thoughts. Oh, after tons of Mesa's and others, I now use the Scout and a little Gretsch compact Tremverb most of the time. For the others I use a modeller direct into the recorder. The Gibson or the Gretsch either one can be played loud. Tom
sigurd48	GA-5 amp issues and responses	#5	[-]
Posts: 2 (04/23/03 18:17) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	tone poet wrote: >>>>Any fans of the small Gibbys here? One of the several models called GA-5? I have two GA-5s. The 1958 is nearly identical to a Champ. 12AX7 / 6V6 / 5Y3. 8" speaker. My 1962 is 6EU7, 6C4, 6AQ5, 6AQ5, 6X4 with one 10" speaker. They also made a GA-5 using 6BQ5s. You think they could have thought of different model numbers, but GA-5 is one that they used for about 7 different amps. Have fun, tonepoet ====== Tonepoet: I just got a nice GA-5; cream colored tolex, sorta tired Jensen speaker, just after the TV front model (12AX7/6V6) Missing the gibson logo (durn! where can you get something like that??) it screams. sometimes it screams maybe too much. I want that pure class A single-ended distortion, but I am running into some problems with harsher distortion at times. From the original schematics I've seen, it appears as tho the .02 caps have been replaced with .047's. It also appears as tho there is a large resistor in place of where (I believe) the coupling cap should be. I'm a bit of a novice, but I have a pretty good understanding of circuits after a few years of messing around and working with a pro musician. i'm getting a ceramic Weber C8S speaker to try in there, and I think I will get some sprague .02 caps to get the amp back to spec and check solder joints... can you suggest any thing to look for to clean up the sound a little on these beasts... not clean it up to a clean tone... but smooth out the tube distortion. Otherwise.. these are great amps, and more reasonable than the typical 50's champ. Feel free to contact me via e-mail mark
TEC23	SMALL GIBBY AMPS	#6	[-]
Posts: 20 (04/26/03 21:22) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	MY .02... I RECENTLY BOUGHT A MID 60'S EXPLORER GA 15 RVT BECAUSE THE GRILLECLOTH AND TOLEX/ CARCASS WAS IN GREAT CONDITION...ORIGINAL LEATHER HANDLE AND HARDWARE ARE IN GREAT SHAPE AS IS THE ANGLED PLASTIC GIBSON NAMEPLATE ON THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OFTHE GRILLE...COSMETICALLY IT IS FINE BUT SOMEONE GOT CUTE AND HACKED THE INSIDES WITH CUT WIRES AND NEW AND PERHAPS INAPPROPRIATE CAPS INSTALLED...OH YEAH, THERE IS ALSO A RADIO SHACK ARCHER TRANSFORMER RIVETED TO THE SIDE OF THE CHASSIS AND I DON'T KNOW JUST WHY... AFTER POSTING TO THIS BOARD ( SEE FENDER AMP THREAD .." NEED HELP" ) AND ASKING ABOUT THE EFFICACY OF TRANSFORMING THIS LITTLE PIGGY INTO A FENDER PRINCETON REVERB TYPE , I GOT SOME GOOD ADVICE AND I AM GOING TO REFRESH THE INNARDS AND BRING IT BACK TO ORIGINAL FORM. AS OF NOW IT HAS A LOUD HUM, WITH SNAPS AND POPS...THE REVERB DOES NOTWORK BUT I KNOW A WIRE CORRODED OFF THE TRANSFORMER,,,,THE TREM WORKS AND I HAVE THE ORIGINAL FOOTSWITCH. I HAVE THE ORIGINAL GIBSON 10" SPEAKER BUT IT LOOKS AS ANEMIC AS THE OXFORD I PULLED OUT OF ANOTHER AMP I AM REFITTING, A FENDER BRONCO..THE FENDER IS A CAP JOB UNLESS I DO SOME EASY MODS BUT THE GIBSON WILL BE A HEAD SCRATCHER. THE GA 15 RVT USED 2 EL 84 POWER TUBES AND FROM WHAT I GATHER THE SUSTAIN AND BLUESINESS IS WAY DIFFERENT FROM THE FENDER LINES AT THE TIME. IF ANYONE HAS MORE GIBSON POOP, PLEASE JUMP IN. IF I CAN GET THIS BOX UP AND RUNNING WELL, I MAY WANT TO HEAR MORE ABOUT SLIGHT MODS AND TWEAKS SO I WILL THANK ALL WHO CARE TO RESPOND IN ADVANCE. THANKS, TOM
slidewinder	Re: SMALL GIBBY AMPS	#7	[-]
Posts: 1 (08/26/03 22:42) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I've got a GA-5 and a GA-9. The GA-5 is louder and a has more natural overdrive but the GA-9 is great for recording. Just a Keeley compressor and a Green machine in front and it sounds great close mic'd.
toneseeker59	Small Gibson amps	#8	[-]
Posts: 5 (09/29/03 15:22) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I'm looking for a GA-8, non-tremelo version. Reviews I've read say that both the GA-8 and the GA-5 sound great, however, I'm guessing that the GA-8 has a fuller sound than the GA-5. Never played either, though. What do you folks think? Also considering the slightly larger GA-6 or GA-20 and some cheapos like Silvertone. Looking for good blues/rock overdrive/distortion at relatively low volumes. What do you recommend?
dklsplace	Re: Any small Gibson amp fans here?	#9	[-]
Posts: 23 (10/27/03 15:11) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Just picked up a Gibson "Skylark" GA-5 at an estate auction last week. Haven't done anything but wipe the dust off so far. Any tips on dating it?
Unregistered(d)	re: small gibson amps	#10	[-]
Posts: 0 (11/20/03 15:52) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Check out the gibson amp project, it might have useful information for your new amp. hem.passagen.se/ekabjan/GibsonAmps.htm
musicandmotorcycles	Re: re: small gibson amps	#11	[-]
Posts: 7 (12/01/03 21:02) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Hi, I have a GA-5T (Skylark w/Tremolo) 1967. I have been getting info here. Gibson amp info
Scooter B	Re: re: small gibson amps	#12	[-]
Posts: 11 (09/28/05 22:28) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	If you count Kalamazoo (Owned by Gibson) who made a "budget" line of amps. The only thing they cut costs on was making the cabinet out of particle board. Inside is a 100% class A PTP wiring 5 watt three tube amp. Vital Statistics Model: One Year manufactured: 1965? Controls: Volume Tone (with on/off switch) Two inputs, one channel Tubes: 6X4 full wave rectifier 12AX7/ECC83/7025 (dual triode) preamp 6BQ5/EL84 output tube Output Transformer: Woodward-Schumacher TF500-0-606-541, 4K input, 8 ohm output Speaker: one CTS 10", 8 ohms (amp's serial number sticker is on magnet assembly) Miscellaneous: schematic and tube layout chart pasted inside amp Read more here; www.rru.com/~meo/Guitar/A...amazoo/M1/
JonnnyM	Re: re: small gibson amps	#13	[-]
Posts: 9 (10/31/05 18:58) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I'm a big fan of the late model (60's) Gibson amps. I got hooked with a GA-15rvt that I picked up on a random trip to a small shop in the Phoenix area a few years ago. It's a rockin's little amp that records well, a great amp for filling a room with great tone at a reasonable volume. Not enough horsepower for Band use, but nevertheless a truely usefull gadget, more or less about Princeton size and output. A 10inch speaker and a great reverb. Nice breakup too. With this success under my belt I couldn't pass up a bit bigger example, I believe it's a GA-45rvt. Basically it seemed like a double size, double power version of the GA-15rvt. I was hoping for a poor mans Vibrolux Reverb. When I got it the size and weight were exactly what I was looking for. A manageable small twin. Case was excellent, but it didn't seem to be able to put out the pep. I tested the tubes as well as my limited ability allowed, and couldn't find any obvious lemons, so I took it to Uncle Spot. When he gets done with it I'm hoping for some output, nothing spectacular, but surely he can coax 25 watts outta a couple 6l6's with the circuit Gibson used for these amps. If it truely doesn't amount to much no regrets, nothing ventured, nothing gained, it's just such a perfect size amp for some getting tired of toting heavy stuff around, yet still wants the sound of twin speakers. We'll see what Uncle Spot can do with it. Hey Ron, how's that puppy coming? It's Cooler in the Shade.
donnidarko	Re: re: small gibson amps	#14	[-]
Posts: 63 (03/14/06 17:55) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I have a GA-8T ("Discoverer) that has a really sweet, creamy distortion.....not that into tremolo; looking to add reverb...anyone out there know if there's an easy way to wire in a reverb tank (perhaps using the trem circuit?)
dkevin		#15	[-]
Posts: 1 (03/05/09 00:41) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Re: Small Gibson amps I have the pleasure of owning and working on 3 Crestline GA-5 Skylarks , a GA-5 tweed Skylark , an Epiphone EA-50 Pacemaker (same as GA-5 Crestline), a GA-17RVT Scout, GA-19RVT Falcon, a GA-25RVT Hawk with 6V6 output tubes and a GA-25RVT Hawk with 7591 tubes and a GA-40 Les Paul amp. I also have a Kalamazoo One and Two. I have learned so much from working on them with the help of other amp enthusiasts. Each one is unique and has distinct strengths and weaknesses. If you find one (even if it is not in tip top condition) grab it! They are fun to work on and even more fun to play!!!
dkevin	MoGib....	#16	[-]
Posts: 2 (10/10/09 11:03) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Well, I can see there's been a few replies since I was last here. It is exciting to see so many people discovering the world of Gibson amps. I got into this by borrowing an amp for a gig and liking it so much, I didn't want to give it back. It was a GA-25RVT (6V6) and the trem was so smooth!!!! I bought a few tube amps and lugged them all around the country and grew weary of "amp techs" who really didn't know what they were doing but charged me anyway. So I looked for simple. single-ended tube amps at a reasonable cost that needed repair and dived into tube amps. I bought Gibson Crestline amps (they were available for $100 or less) and gradually picked up some tweeds and two-toned as well. I have relied heavily on help and tutorials available on the internet. I recently picked up a book written by a man who re-discovers old classic sports cars (in barns and cluttered garages) and rebuilds them. In this book, he speaks of the spiritual aspects of finding a design worth resurrection and investing the time, effort, and money to bring it back to life. Although I am not a car-buff, I can relate. I don't know that doing this sort of work is a road to becoming a millionaire. But the satisfaction of bringing a derelict tube amp back to life is very fulfilling. For this reason, a lot of my amps are the black sheep of the amp collecting world. They have tattered tolex, rust-pitted faceplates, missing back panels and absent Jensens. But to me, they represent an education and an opportunity to play some of the best amps ever!
StoSoStu		#17	[-]
Posts: 644 (10/10/09 18:55) South of the Border..way South! Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I can really relate to the satisfaction of bringing old, non-working gear back to life. Although I repair amps as a business, I get great joy from the occasional basket case that I am able to return to its former glory. Unfortunately, down here, there are very few to be found these days, and people just want too much for the ones that are around. Bob The road goes on forever and the party never ends

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Any small Gibson amp fans here?

Any small Gibson amp fans here?

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