Here is an awesome old 1948 Gibson GA-30 guitar amplifier. Looks like it has the original tubes. This amp has had a new handle added as well as the grill cloth was replaced at some point. I believe the speakers were replaced also. This amp currently works as is. Turns on and plays. The volume and tone knobs work properly. Now this being a 75+ year old amp, I will say that it will benefit from having an amp tech look over it and make sure all of the components are working properly. Right now it sounds pretty good with some slight hum when turned up loud. Has the original 2-prong cord that really should be replaced for safety also. With all that being said, this is a really solid 1948 Gibson GA-30 that has been used and taken care of for the last 75+ years. Should have a lot of life left if the new owner continues with proper maintenance.
Up for sale, a 1954 Gibson GA-20 in excellent condition and in perfect working order. Featuring original two-tone cosmetics, a Jensen P12R speaker, and a professionally serviced circuit, this GA-20 is the perfect mid-size combo from the golden age of tube amplification. In many ways analogous to Fender’s narrow panel tweed amps of the same era, the GA-20 features a four input design with a 6V6 power tube pair, 5Y3GT rectifier, and dual triode (12AX7, etc) tubes in the preamp. Offering distinctly different voicings between the single Microphone input and the three Instrument inputs, the GA-20 is at its most aggressive via the Mic channel. While this input does offer a modicum of clean headroom, it quickly overdrives with a sizzling, chewy sound that’s extremely smooth. The Tone control has an absolutely massive sweep, actually adding a bit more gain when turned up. Maxing out both Volume and Tone knobs yields a ripping, cutting sound that interacts equally well with single coils and humbuckers. The Instrument inputs have more range in the clean signal, with a full-bodied and sweet sound that works well with a host of effects pedals. Turning down the Tone knob on this channel and pushing the Volume can achieve a very nice bark and a spitty quality almost akin to certain fuzz boxes, depending on the guitar being used, and once again diming everything out delivers plenty of richness and roar. The point-to-point circuit has been professionally serviced and thoroughly recapped with premium tubular signal caps in the preamp and F&T power supply caps. The output transformer has been replaced with a vintage-accurate Mercury Magnetics ToneClone GA20-O, mounted to the speaker frame, while the original power transformer is intact, mounted to the back of the chassis. The speaker is the original Jensen P12R alnico magnet driver which has a dark blue/green frame. The speaker has been recently professionally reconed, and the date code on the edge of the frame is from the 9th week of’54. The original two-tone covering exhibits limited wear (particularly when considering the fragility of this material compared to a conventional tolex or tweed), primarily concentrated around the edges, and half of the gold Gibson badge is still intact on the amp’s face. The graphics on the brown faceplate are clean, the brown chickenhead knobs are present, and the leather handle has been replaced.
Up for sale, a 1964 Gibson Falcon GA-19RVT combo tube amplifier in excellent condition and in perfect working order. The early Crestline-era Falcons are great sleepers, as they feature nearly identical circuitry to the more sought-after Tweed-era Gibson amps. Cleans are clear and bouncy, and the Falcon is the perfect amplifier for small club gigs and studio sessions with a smooth, harmonic rich overdrive when opened up. The Reverb is quite lush, and the Tremolo has a nice pulse with a good range of speeds. A single channel design, controls consist of Loudness (Volume), Tone, Reverberation, and Depth and Frequency knobs for the Tremolo. The original footswitch is included, and features a separate on/off switch for both the Reverb and Tremolo effects. The circuit retains its original transformers which all date to 1964, and the circuit is extremely original with just a few capacitor substitutions to ensure optimal functionality. The power cable has been upgraded to the modern three-prong variety. The tube set includes the original matching RCAs in the preamp, the stock RCA rectifier and a modern matched pair of JJ-branded 6V6 power tubes. The stock Jensen C12R 12 speaker is intact, dating to the 32nd week of’64. Cosmetically, this amp is in great shape with the original dark gray textured covering and two-tone grillcloth, showing only light wear on the enclosure edges. The original Gibson badge and luggage-style handle are also intact. The aluminum faceplate shows light surface patina with clean graphics and original reflector cap knobs.
Sounds Great and looks great! Main Capacitors have been repaced recently. Tremolo turns on via footswitch has a slight “helicopter” noise (common issue). Original speaker and footswitch and vintage repair invoice. I believe the amp faceplate had a “standby” switch added next to the power switch as shown in photos. This switch works and acts like a standby for the output.
Up for sale, a 1953 Gibson BR-6 vintage tube amp in excellent condition and in perfect working order. Freshly serviced by our techs here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar, this BR-6 is the three-input version as redesigned by Gibson in 1948, and one of the first examples to shift the chassis from mounting to the bottom of the cabinet to the top. Loaded with a vintage (replacement) CTS alnico magnet 10 speaker, the tone is warm and fairly dark in its voicing from 1-5 on the single Volume dial, gaining grit and overdriven roar pushing towards 10. The amp really shines when dimed out with the midrange character unique to octal preamp amps and a real gutsy, punchy sound that’s thick and saturated. The point-to-point circuit features the stock IRC pot and power transformer manufactured by Magnetic Components Co, with a date code from the 25th week of’53, while the original output transformer is mounted to the speaker frame. New premium capacitors are manufactured by Sprague, while much of the original circuitry, including two of the famed Grey Tiger capacitors, is present. The vintage replacement speaker was manufactured by CTS, with a date stamp on the magnet from the 30th week of’70. The amp retains its original smooth brown covering, made from the same material used on early’50s Gibson guitar cases. The enclosure shows relatively restrained wear considering its vintage, and the wicker grillcloth is very well-kept. The large “G” gold badge is intact central to the grill, with the small silkscreened Gibson logo in the upper right corner of the amp’s face. The control plate has clean silkscreened graphics, and the one brown chicken head knob is intact. The leather handle is a modern replacement.
Comes with parts as shown. Definitely send me a message if you’d like to discuss. The 1960′s Gibson Minuteman Guitar Amp is a vintage piece that is in great condition. This classic amplifier, model Gibson GA20 RVT, is a combo amp designed for lap & pedal steel guitar, acoustic electric guitar, and electric guitar. With its vacuum tube technology and United States origin, this amp delivers vintage sound quality perfect for performance venues. The single speaker provides a warm and rich tone that suits various genres of music, making it a versatile choice for musicians looking to add a vintage touch to their sound.
