$299 Gibson tube amp - Made in USA!

[Sidney Vicious]

Originally Posted by nasonm

FYI, in case no one here has mentioned it yet, the speaker that comes in the Gibson GA-5 is a Weber Sig 8 with a gibson label.

I did not know that.

[boris bubbanov]

I looked hard at the GA-5 last month when Sweetwater lowered them to $ 399.

The comments about them at this forum (two threads) were not very favorable; I think a lot of people were still disgusted that Gibson had marketed them at $ 699, which is silly high. Harmony Central is as cautionary in summary about them as Musician's Friend buyers/reviewers are totally gushing.

I just 'wasted' my MF discount coupon on some small change items, knowing it'd be worthless after next week. #@#@&!

This amp basically does one thing. Question is, is this thing your thing?

Maybe a whole GA-5 mod craze could happen; it seems like a good place to start.

[Torps]

what kinda cabinet are we talkin about here too?

[rhinocaster]

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

I looked hard at the GA-5 last month when Sweetwater lowered them to $ 399.

The comments about them at this forum (two threads) were not very favorable; I think a lot of people were still disgusted that Gibson had marketed them at $ 699, which is silly high. Harmony Central is as cautionary in summary about them as Musician's Friend buyers/reviewers are totally gushing.

I just 'wasted' my MF discount coupon on some small change items, knowing it'd be worthless after next week. #@#@&!

This amp basically does one thing. Question is, is this thing your thing?

Maybe a whole GA-5 mod craze could happen; it seems like a good place to start.

I think that the two inputs and open sound of the cab make this one of the most versatile small amps I've owned. If I remember correctly, the HC reviews tended to mention the brightness of the amp and background noise. I can say that noise was not an issue at all with the 3 GA-5s I've played, and as far as brightness goes, I think that the amp was voiced wonderfully. You don't want a small amp to sound overly dark, because we tend to push these little guys, if it's dark, it turns to mush really quickly. I found the amp to work exceedingly well with my Teles. I liked it MUCH more than the boutique models I mentioned in a previous post.

In my experience, the only thing the amp "Needs" is a guitar plugged into it!

[Doug Ferguson]

Sweet deal! Wish I had the funds.

[Sidney Vicious]

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

Maybe a whole GA-5 mod craze could happen; it seems like a good place to start.

I wonder what that vintage Jensen alnico I have will sound in that sucker?

[boris bubbanov]

This looks like a close to perfect modding platform for those willing to mess around with the guts a little bit. All safety obligatory warnings, of course.

I mean, I did technically assemble that solid state Heathkit 75W thing I had in high school and it worked fine for quite a while, I am not a total 'lectro-goober.

BTW, does this GA-5 have a stock speaker line-out and if so, where is it at?

[tombm3]

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

This looks like a close to perfect modding platform for those willing to mess around with the guts a little bit. All safety obligatory warnings, of course.

I mean, I did technically assemble that solid state Heathkit 75W thing I had in high school and it worked fine for quite a while, I am not a total 'lectro-goober.

BTW, does this GA-5 have a stock speaker line-out and if so, where is it at?

No line out but a phono jack for the speaker. Similar to the Blackface Champ I used to have. Here is a good shot from a plexi cabinet from a completed auction.

[Blues Hurler]

ACK! You guys have done it again. Just placed my order.

[boris bubbanov]

Thanks, tombm3, great picture. That Sony camera is a good 'un.

On the other hand, I gotta ask myself a question.

What do I need with a small amp when I can knock this building down anytime I want? There's no-one here to disturb, I can turn up on these 40 and 50 watters to breakup at 3:00 A.M. anytime I choose.

Maybe my ears aren't ringing because of steel block saddles but because there's no-one (with permission to be in the country) close enough to complain.

The same heavy windows I put up to keep out the airport noise keeps the music in, I suppose.

[Rob DiStefano]

First thing to dump is the Sig speaker - that's a tone choker, IMO. At least a Weber 8A125, but I might see if there's enuf room for a 10" rebaffle and go with a 10A125. The PTP wiring is the big selling point, but the tube sockets mounted on the board aren't the best way to do it - I might wanna do all that over, but more later than sooner.

[Flat357]

Originally Posted by NewOldStock

It looks like there's room to easily add a tone pot if you wanted. By the green wire.

Not a lot going on here .
Would this be easy to copy and build yourself ?

[BrianF]

It's basically a Tweed Champ circuit isn't it?

[williamfriggle]

Originally Posted by mistermullens

I couldn't hold out either. I've missed so many deals at MF and I wasn't going to miss out on this one. I also used my MF coupon, but it was for 10%, so I got my for $269.99 which is still an amazing price. Its gonna sound great through my 2x10 cab. Looks like I'll be seeing an SM57 in my future.

Do yourself a favor and pick up one of these instead of a SM57. I have one of these and 2 SM57. I gave the 2 SM57's to my church. I just didn't use them anymore. Much better sound. And since I have taken some time off playing at church, the one guitar player is using the 609 and the 2 SM57's are sitting on the shelf behind the sound board.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...one?sku=276668

Bill

[XKnight]

I bought one of these amps yesterday. Couldn't resist at only $299. Almost bought a used one last year for more, so waiting payed off in this case.

[Flannel Pat]

Question:

How much would it put you back to build one of these amps? Just the amp part, no cabinet.

[petebradt]

Nice, but I don't need any amps.

[petebradt]

Originally Posted by Flannel Pat

Question:

How much would it put you back to build one of these amps? Just the amp part, no cabinet.

Maybe $100, most of that would be transformers and tubes.

[petebradt]

Sorry, double post.

[xjazzy]

Originally Posted by furrfurrfurr

Darn you guys! After controlling my GAS for a full 24 hours on this one I couldn't hold out any longer. Especially after seeing a used one for $450 today.

Can't wait to hear it.

Furr

But the new is cheaper!

[Gee]

Originally Posted by BrianF

It's basically a Tweed Champ circuit isn't it?

It has some similarity with the Champ except that the GA5 has an EL84 instead of the Champ's 6V6. The EL84 will give it more gain and sound less Fendery than a Champ.

The GA5 has far more in common with the Epi Valve Junior and Harley Benton GA5. Think of the GA5 as a hand wired VJ with the same speaker, circuit and what looks like the same OT in a much prettier and desirable box.

At $299 it's about right. $699 was just taking the pi$$.

[younkint]

Originally Posted by tombm3

No line out but a phono jack for the speaker. Similar to the Blackface Champ I used to have.

The newer models have a screen blocking access to the board where the phono jack is located. You have to remove the back (four screws) to get to the jack. No doubt some nervous attorney had them add the screen. So you say, "just remove the screen..." Not so simple; there's about 25 heavy staples (Arrow-type) holding the screen to the back plate. I wish they wouldn't have done that.

Originally Posted by Rob DiStefano

First thing to dump is the Sig speaker - that's a tone choker, IMO.

I hope they sell a bunch of these little jewels and folks try different speakers (and report here), but I find the stock speaker to be great with a Telecaster.

I think everyone will really enjoy these little amps. I love mine, but I'm glad I didn't have to pay $700 for it. Mine was an eBay deal, and I am still wondering why anyone would have wanted to sell it ...unless they just needed the cash.



~

[BrianF]

Originally Posted by petebradt

Maybe $100, most of that would be transformers and tubes.

I think it would be more than that...if you wanted to build say a Tweed Champ head with nice chassis...the chassis alone would be about $75...add the turret board another $25-35...transformers, tubes, sockets..... It's more like $250 to $300. Check Weber, Ceriatone or STF Electronics to price it out. I don't think you can make that complete amp for less than $450.