I am planning a build of a 1960 Gibson GA-20T. This amp would be mostly used with a 3-4 piece, playing blues/alt-country/rock in bars.
I have the option to add/change some things in the design stage. I have a few questions and could use suggestions for ways to make this amp more viable for gigs- without being mic’d.
Is this amp loud enough for gigs if built close to stock?
Some reviews say no…. they can get muddy and lost with drums and need to be mic’d or re-amped to be heard through the mix. But, others are saying they work well for gigs and can be very loud. I have been trying to figure this all out and have been info-gathering.
The most frequent suggestions I found are:
Use a high efficiency speaker:
What db rating should I be targeting? What speaker has worked for you?
I would prefer an American-voiced alnico speaker. Something with a bigger magnet and VC than a P12Q. Similar to the P12P size, or bigger if necessary.
Upgrade the OT:
The small OT adds compression and can contribute to stage volume issues. It also contributes to some of the mojo of the tone as well. So… has anyone used a 20W Deluxe type OT (or larger) with this amp? What were the results?
Other suggestions:
· Run 6L6’s or 5881’s for more headroom and power (most likely require PT/OT upgrades)
· Use 2X10 instead of 1X12 for a tighter sound, more surface area
· Add a switchable NFB circuit.
I really don’t want to lose too much of the overall tone and feel of this amp if I don’t need to. I just want to make sure the amp will work for my use.
I would much appreciate any suggestions for speakers, circuit tweaks, and/or gigging and build experiences with this amp or with GA-40’s. This era Gibson amp really suits my playing, and I would love to be able to use one as my grab ‘n’ go amp for gigs. Cheers.
I have the option to add/change some things in the design stage. I have a few questions and could use suggestions for ways to make this amp more viable for gigs- without being mic’d.
Is this amp loud enough for gigs if built close to stock?
Some reviews say no…. they can get muddy and lost with drums and need to be mic’d or re-amped to be heard through the mix. But, others are saying they work well for gigs and can be very loud. I have been trying to figure this all out and have been info-gathering.
The most frequent suggestions I found are:
Use a high efficiency speaker:
What db rating should I be targeting? What speaker has worked for you?
I would prefer an American-voiced alnico speaker. Something with a bigger magnet and VC than a P12Q. Similar to the P12P size, or bigger if necessary.
Upgrade the OT:
The small OT adds compression and can contribute to stage volume issues. It also contributes to some of the mojo of the tone as well. So… has anyone used a 20W Deluxe type OT (or larger) with this amp? What were the results?
Other suggestions:
· Run 6L6’s or 5881’s for more headroom and power (most likely require PT/OT upgrades)
· Use 2X10 instead of 1X12 for a tighter sound, more surface area
· Add a switchable NFB circuit.
I really don’t want to lose too much of the overall tone and feel of this amp if I don’t need to. I just want to make sure the amp will work for my use.
I would much appreciate any suggestions for speakers, circuit tweaks, and/or gigging and build experiences with this amp or with GA-40’s. This era Gibson amp really suits my playing, and I would love to be able to use one as my grab ‘n’ go amp for gigs. Cheers.
