Gibson GA-8 Discoverer Tube Amplifier (1962)
LOADING IMAGES
Gibson GA-8 Discoverer Model Tube Amplifier (1962), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 116718, brown textured tolex covering finish.
This funky little Gibson amp from the dawn of the 1960s is a fairly simple design but one of the company's best and most interesting period offerings. It is labeled "Discoverer", a name introduced in 1960; it was the space age after all! There is even a little rendering of the Discoverer satellite pictured on the faceplate. While still using the older 1950s GA-8 model designation, it is actually a new design for the new decade. It is a fairly compact 10 watt combo with more kick than many similar small amps.
This example was likely made early 1962. The cabinet is covered in textured cream Tolex, an unusual feature for this model. The faceplate has two inputs and controls for volume and tone. The Discoverer, unlike the earlier GA-8's branded "Gibsonette" sported a 12" Jensen speaker as opposed to a 10", and the non-tremolo model features two 6V6 output tubes running in parallel single-ended configuration. Electrically, this is not unlike having two single ended Fender Champ power sections in parallel, resulting in a rich and thick overdrive unlike any other low-wattage amp we've heard!
The amp puts out about 10-12 watts with a great breakup curve. Even the handle is extra cool, metal framed with a clear plastic center featuring an embedded "Gibson" logo. This was a fairly successful model for Gibson with 841 shipped in 1962, but the next year was the last for the Discoverer which was heavily outsold by the GA-8T tremolo model. These amps seem fairly rare now, as the model was not in production for that long.
Height is 16 in. (40.6 cm.), 20 in. (50.8 cm.) width, and 8 5/8 in. (21.9 cm.) deep.
Overall this amp shows some general wear and tear but no heavy abuse or alterations. The light-colored Tolex is a bit dirty and has some minor wear and scuffing around the edges. There is also some scuffing and minor signs of corrosion on the faceplate, but nearly all the stenciled graphics remain intact. The grille cloth is taut and free of any notable staining or tearing and even the fragile and often missing plastic Gibson logo is present.
Electrically, the amp is nicely original: it mounts its original 12" Jensen speaker, coded 220-201, dating it to the 1st week of 1962. It still has its original cone and sounds great. The original power and output transformers are coded GA-23P and 549-6146; the output dating to the 46th week of 1961, respectively. Visible pot code dates to the 48th week of 1960. The amp has seen our typical service and maintenance, including replacement of all electrolytics caps, cleaning of pots, jacks and sockets, a three prong grounded power cable installed and the power section biased to spec.
This is a really cool sounding little amp and still something of an unsung classic, with a lot of tone in its big 10 watts! Excellent - Condition.
This funky little Gibson amp from the dawn of the 1960s is a fairly simple design but one of the company's best and most interesting period offerings. It is labeled "Discoverer", a name introduced in 1960; it was the space age after all! There is even a little rendering of the Discoverer satellite pictured on the faceplate. While still using the older 1950s GA-8 model designation, it is actually a new design for the new decade. It is a fairly compact 10 watt combo with more kick than many similar small amps.
This example was likely made early 1962. The cabinet is covered in textured cream Tolex, an unusual feature for this model. The faceplate has two inputs and controls for volume and tone. The Discoverer, unlike the earlier GA-8's branded "Gibsonette" sported a 12" Jensen speaker as opposed to a 10", and the non-tremolo model features two 6V6 output tubes running in parallel single-ended configuration. Electrically, this is not unlike having two single ended Fender Champ power sections in parallel, resulting in a rich and thick overdrive unlike any other low-wattage amp we've heard!
The amp puts out about 10-12 watts with a great breakup curve. Even the handle is extra cool, metal framed with a clear plastic center featuring an embedded "Gibson" logo. This was a fairly successful model for Gibson with 841 shipped in 1962, but the next year was the last for the Discoverer which was heavily outsold by the GA-8T tremolo model. These amps seem fairly rare now, as the model was not in production for that long.
Height is 16 in. (40.6 cm.), 20 in. (50.8 cm.) width, and 8 5/8 in. (21.9 cm.) deep.
Overall this amp shows some general wear and tear but no heavy abuse or alterations. The light-colored Tolex is a bit dirty and has some minor wear and scuffing around the edges. There is also some scuffing and minor signs of corrosion on the faceplate, but nearly all the stenciled graphics remain intact. The grille cloth is taut and free of any notable staining or tearing and even the fragile and often missing plastic Gibson logo is present.
Electrically, the amp is nicely original: it mounts its original 12" Jensen speaker, coded 220-201, dating it to the 1st week of 1962. It still has its original cone and sounds great. The original power and output transformers are coded GA-23P and 549-6146; the output dating to the 46th week of 1961, respectively. Visible pot code dates to the 48th week of 1960. The amp has seen our typical service and maintenance, including replacement of all electrolytics caps, cleaning of pots, jacks and sockets, a three prong grounded power cable installed and the power section biased to spec.
This is a really cool sounding little amp and still something of an unsung classic, with a lot of tone in its big 10 watts! Excellent - Condition.