AirMojo
191 posts
Aug 25, 2011
2:25 PM
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I happened to stop by a pawnshop while driving home from work yesterday, and spotted an old Gibson GA-20 two-tone(?) amp, probably from 1955... looks like the one pictured here, only not in as good a condition.
Had a price tag of $1010... the lady working there didn't know much about the amp, but said they would probably take $900... seemed too much to me, but I have no idea what the value would be or what to offer.
I want to go back maybe next week with some mics and harps and give it a try, mainly for the fun of it.
In any case, I'm sure it would need some work done by a good amp tech, if I can find one in the Northeast Ohio area (Cleveland, Akron, Youngstown, etc).
I've heard these are great harp amps... any ideas on the value if its in "good" condition and works ?
http://online.physics.uiuc.edu/courses/phys498pom/amps/amp_pix/55Gibson_GA20.jpg
Last Edited by on Aug 25, 2011 2:27 PM
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chromaticblues
980 posts
Aug 25, 2011
3:39 PM
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No It is not worth that! Not close!!
Is it a good harp amp? GREAT!
15 years ago I bought mine for $50.
It was rough, but it still has the original transformers and sockets. I have gigged about 500 times with it and it works great with no issues what so ever! I absolutely love these amps, but you'll have to spend about $400 to have it completely reliable. Sounds like alot of money to me! Offer them $600. If they don't take it just walk away! Don't do it!!
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tmf714
743 posts
Aug 25, 2011
3:50 PM
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IF it has the original Jensen P-12R speaker and tubes,and they are all in working order,grab it!
This amp was Gibson's answer to the 50's Fender wide panel Deluxe-not loud,but nice for harp-12 watts.The only example I found was selling for $1100.00-the two-tone 1955 Gibsons are rare to find in good working order-check it out thoroughly.
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chromaticblues
982 posts
Aug 25, 2011
4:26 PM
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Yeah I can't argue with tmf714. Test it for awhile. I I would want to make sure it works well. Usually I would tell people don't worry about it being original because GA-20's aren't worth anything. I guess that is changing. I would pass and look for the next generation GA after that one (They made tweed amps for a few years in the late fifties), but if you can afford it. Do it! You may never get another chance.
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AirMojo
194 posts
Aug 26, 2011
4:26 AM
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I did see a Jensen speaker in it when I was checking out the back of it... not sure of the model#... I'm definitel going back on Monday to try it out... I would go today, but have to take my son to college.
Last Edited by on Aug 26, 2011 5:46 AM
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AirMojo
195 posts
Aug 26, 2011
5:47 AM
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I noticed that there is a Microphone input and 3 Instrument inputs.
I assume you will get a different sound from the Microphone input... what about the 3 instrument inputs... all the same or different ?
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tmf714
744 posts
Aug 26, 2011
6:26 AM
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The microphone input was designed to be used with a crystal or ribbon mike as a PA speaker-it has more gain than the instrument inputs. The remaining intrument inputs should all have the same characteristics among themselves.
Last Edited by on Aug 26, 2011 6:58 AM
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5F6H
825 posts
Aug 26, 2011
6:42 AM
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If the model with 6SJ7 preamp tubes, the "mic channel" is it's own channel with just the one input. The 3 instrument inputs all feed the other channel (which is otherwise identical) via a 33% or 50% voltage divider (depending on whether one or two instruments are used) to attenuate the signal. The mic channel does not have the 100K series dropping resistor/voltage divider.
If you plug 1 or 2 instruments into the 3 prescribed "instrument" inputs, each signal is attenuated by 33% or 50% respectively. If you plug 3 instruments into the 3 prescribed inputs, then all 3 have a 100K dropping resistor in series with the signal, but no 33%/50% voltage divider (in other words they are just padded a little). If you preferred the mic channel & your "mic" channel went down you could plug 2 dummy jacks and a mic in the instrument inputs for a very similar sound.
Now you know all that, forget it & play through the input/channel you like the sound of best! :-)
Last Edited by on Aug 26, 2011 6:47 AM
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