BigSteveNJ
24 posts
Nov 20, 2013
7:45 PM
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Which Gibson amplifiers (besides the Gibson-owned Kalamazoo amps) are the most usable for harp? There are a few sitting around in shops and advertised on line, and I see some decent prices for low- and medium-wattage, hand-wired amps from the 60s.
I guess in order of usefulness to the thread, which Gibson amps:
1) are worthless for harp
2) are serviceable or decent, but could be modded and/or retubed and made better
3) great for harp (with or without any changes)
or
4) are a "grail"-level amp, ranking with the best vintage amps out there for tone, volume and quality.
I'm just sick to death of the ridiculous prices that so many people are asking (and sometimes getting!) for some vintage gear.
A person that can't play for crap isn't helped by a $2000 price tag on a tweed Princeton or Deluxe, but not every person with any chops at all can afford those things either.
I wish working musicians could get good-quality, well-built gear at working people's prices.
What Gibsons fit the bill? Thanks!
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Kingley
3291 posts
Nov 20, 2013
10:22 PM
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Many old Gibson amps are great for harp. The only way to find out if one suits your needs though is to go and try it out. What is a great amp for one person isn't necessarily great for another. Simply because we all have our own ideas of what constitutes a good amplified sound. Plus of course no two players sound the same. So even if you buy amp "X" it doesn't mean you'll sound like someone else does through that amp.
"I wish working musicians could get good-quality, well-built gear at working people's prices."
Have you been living under a rock? There are loads of great amps on ebay, craigslist, gumtree, in secondhand/thrift/pawn shops that can be had a very decent prices. You just have to be prepared to do the leg work and hunt them down. If you wanted a new amp then the Bassman LTD is fairly priced as is the Princeton Reverb Reissue and the Super Reverb Reissue. Those all make great harp amps. Then of course there are the amps like the wonderful little VHT Special 6 and many. many more. Don't forget of course the boutique amps like HarpGear and Mission which are hand built and reasonably priced with a variety of options.
Last Edited by Kingley on Nov 20, 2013 10:26 PM
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cyclodan
33 posts
Nov 20, 2013
10:30 PM
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It's the '50s amps that you want. There are, I'm sure, some '60s era stuff that are good harp friendly amps but I can't really advise you on those (someone will likely chime in and set the record straight).
GA-20 is a good 12 or so watt with a 12" speaker and the BR-6 is 10 watt with a '40s technology 10" field coil speaker.
I picked up the BR-6f on the right above for $425, freshly serviced and with a new handle.
Then there are some very nice 2 speaker combos and I have had the pleasure of playing thru like this recovered GA-25 on the left, with one 8" and one 12" speaker.
The sound of these two "daisy chained" together is amazing.
Last Edited by cyclodan on Nov 21, 2013 8:41 AM
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jukelemon
35 posts
Nov 21, 2013
6:36 AM
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Many Gibson amps (50's and 60's) were almost identical clones to the 50's and 60's Fender amps.
At that time, everyone was using/copying the old Western Electric circuits for the most part.
For example, my Gibson GA-6 is ~99% identical to a Fender Deluxe of the same year.
Despite the identical circuitry, 50's Gibsons tend to sound much darker than the Fenders which can be good/bad depending upon your taste. Of course, simple tone stack changes can change that i.e. make it brighter.
The old Gibsons used to be a well kept secret. I used to own 4 GA-6's. Exceptional club amp for guitar. Picked them up for 200-225 a piece.
You cannot touch those now for under 650 (and that is beat to heck).
The 50's types also have a very (lazy to me) wiring method. Think crows nest. Not the easiest to work on but like I said sound exceptional.
What is also cool is that many of the older gibsons have a true MIC input i.e. their input design is different than the INST inputs. Kind of cool.
The GA-6's, 20's and 40's (Les Pauls) are all very nice amps from the 50's. Well built and sound very nice.
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HawkeyeKane
2169 posts
Nov 21, 2013
7:14 AM
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I agree with the standing synopsis. The 50's Gibsons are by far the best for harp, with a few 60's issue models also very good.
One point I would add though. As I recently discovered for myself, the 60's Gibson Medalist series amps, though unique and very classy, are not very good for harp in their stock form. The split chassis design on some of them should be a first indicator.
But I will say that after playing through a couple, I believe they can be modded to be very good harp amps. I've played through a Duo Medalist now, as well as a Medalist 4/10 I found at a pawn shop in Joliet. The Duo was in rough shape and had a nasty hum, but the good tone was still in there. The 4/10 was a beast, and was very finicky on its EQ. But it's still a 4/10 and can blast some good shit. Reverb and trem are added plusses. But as I said, they still would've needed some tweaking by someone qualified and with knowledge of what makes for a good harp amp.
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Hawkeye Kane
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LSC
541 posts
Nov 21, 2013
8:21 AM
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I'm in love with my tweed '61 GA-6 Lancer. I did swap out the original C12R for a reconed P12R of the correct year, just because I prefer alnico speakers.
People have cottoned on to Gibson amps with a consequential increase in prices. Damn these forums where people keep letting the cat out of the bag. But they are for the most part still way cheaper than Fenders and Valco variations of the period. I paid $625 for my Lancer found locally on craigslist. The amp had already been gone through by a vintage amp specialist including a speaker recone and some sort of magnet repair.
BTW, does anyone have or know of where I can get a Gibson badge? There is one place online that does aftermarket replacements but they don't have the screw pins and have to be glued on, a non-startes since I gig this amp.
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LSC
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HawkeyeKane
2170 posts
Nov 21, 2013
8:40 AM
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@LSC
Mojo has a screwable one in gold that they say was for the GA-5. I dunno if that'd work for you or not.
mojotone.com - GA-5 Gibson 3'' Gold Logo
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Hawkeye Kane
Last Edited by HawkeyeKane on Nov 21, 2013 8:40 AM
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Rick Davis
2724 posts
Nov 21, 2013
8:55 AM
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My 1947 Gibson BR-6
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-Little Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
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tjtaylor
31 posts
Nov 21, 2013
2:29 PM
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About 20 years ago I had 2 mid 50s Gibson amps, ga 75 and ga77 one Jensen ceramic 15 and one Jensen alnico 15. I used to use them together, I would split through a Boss dd3. Man what a big fat sound, wish I still had them!
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SuperBee
1545 posts
Nov 22, 2013
3:50 AM
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Outlay is only a problem if you don't have it or can't raise it. Depreciation is the enemy.
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JellyShakersTipJar
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LSC
542 posts
Nov 22, 2013
7:57 AM
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@HawkeyeKane - Thanks kindly. I'll see if I can measure the scew holes behind the grill cloth to see if that might work. They are a bit shiney and perhaps the wrong shade but I can check that out at my somewhat local vintage amp store. They've got three or four Gibsons in stock.
SperBee - Exactly. That's why I rarely buy gear new, especially amps. Vintage gear can be rather silly in the prices but there are still great value items to be had, if not perhaps bargains.
One of my criteria is that I be reasonably certain I can get at least what I paid for an item if I ever want/need to sell. There have been times over the years when I had to sell off gear to make the mortgage or the rent or even to eat. What makes it worse is losing money on the deal. I really hate that.
I once was in a situation during my divorce war where it was just me and my kid. Our roof was secure but the old pantry was empty. I went to a shop to sell a little Yamaha acoustic. It was like something out of Pawn Stars. I wanted 100 UK pounds. He offered 25. I said, "It's worth 100 quid of anybody's money." "Yeah, I know. That's what I'll sell it for."
I didn't have a choice and took the 25 notes. I went back a couple of days later and there it was on the wall with a 100 pound price tag. It was sold within a week.
I'm happy to say it has been a long time since I or my kid was in that position and it's extremely unlikely to happen again......touch my wooden head.
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LSC
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LSC
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HawkeyeKane
2171 posts
Nov 22, 2013
8:32 AM
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@LSC
The plastic badges from Parts-is-Parts say they are 4" whereas the gold one from Mojo says it is 3". Hmmmm...
As to the hue and luster, I think there are ways you could darken and dull the metal up a bit.
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Hawkeye Kane
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