Gibson GA-8 Gibsonette Tube Amplifier (1960)
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Item # 11484
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Gibson GA-8 Gibsonette Model Tube Amplifier (1960), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 114407, white tolex finish.
This lovely little Gibson amp is the final version of the GA-8 "Gibsonette" from the 1950's; the model would be reborn as the "Discoverer" for the space age decade in 1960. It is a small excellent sounding combo unit offering around 10 watts output through a single Jensen 10" speaker. There are two inputs with controls as simple as can be: on-off switch, volume and tone.
This period may well be the best for Gibson amps, soundwise anyway. This very sturdily built combo has a more Fender-like overdrive sound than earlier darker toned Gibson amps but still maintains its own character. Just 1298 of these high quality but affordable amps were shipped in 1960, most with the newer space-age name. That year the tremolo equipped GA-8T joined the line, noticeably cutting into the sales of this non-trem model.
This amp is a parallel single ended design -- a rare output tube configuration, unique to these early non-tremolo GA-8s. Electrically this is not unlike having two single ended Fender Champ power sections in parallel. This results in a rich and thick overdrive unlike any other low-wattage amp we've heard!
Height is 16 in. (40.6 cm.), 20 in. (50.8 cm.) width, and 9 in. (22.9 cm.) deep.
Cosmetically, the amp is cleaner than most we've had a pleasure to feature in our showroom. Externally the cabinet is covered in textured cream Tolex, a feature specific to the 1958-60 Gibsonette. This one is exceptionally clean with only very light sings of staining wear. The control panel is nearly mirror clean with only very mild signs of aging and all the stenciled graphics are largely intact. Even the handle is extra cool, with a clear plastic center featuring an embedded "Gibson" logo. The fragile plastic Gibson logo plate on the face is in perfect shape as well.
Electrically, the amp is nicely original. The 10" Alnico Jensen speaker is dated to the 13th week of 1960 and original to the amp. The original power and output transformers are present as well, coded GA-23P and 549-947, respectively, the latter dating to the 47th week of 1959. Visible pot code dates to the 5th week of 1960. The amp has seen our typical maintenance and servicing, included a grounded 3-prong cord, replacement of all electrolytic capacitors, cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks and power tubes biased to spec. The amp had at some point an external speaker jack added underneath the chassis, but remains otherwise unmodified.
This is a fantastic example of this great sounding amp, one of Gibson's unsung gems. Overall Excellent Condition.
This lovely little Gibson amp is the final version of the GA-8 "Gibsonette" from the 1950's; the model would be reborn as the "Discoverer" for the space age decade in 1960. It is a small excellent sounding combo unit offering around 10 watts output through a single Jensen 10" speaker. There are two inputs with controls as simple as can be: on-off switch, volume and tone.
This period may well be the best for Gibson amps, soundwise anyway. This very sturdily built combo has a more Fender-like overdrive sound than earlier darker toned Gibson amps but still maintains its own character. Just 1298 of these high quality but affordable amps were shipped in 1960, most with the newer space-age name. That year the tremolo equipped GA-8T joined the line, noticeably cutting into the sales of this non-trem model.
This amp is a parallel single ended design -- a rare output tube configuration, unique to these early non-tremolo GA-8s. Electrically this is not unlike having two single ended Fender Champ power sections in parallel. This results in a rich and thick overdrive unlike any other low-wattage amp we've heard!
Height is 16 in. (40.6 cm.), 20 in. (50.8 cm.) width, and 9 in. (22.9 cm.) deep.
Cosmetically, the amp is cleaner than most we've had a pleasure to feature in our showroom. Externally the cabinet is covered in textured cream Tolex, a feature specific to the 1958-60 Gibsonette. This one is exceptionally clean with only very light sings of staining wear. The control panel is nearly mirror clean with only very mild signs of aging and all the stenciled graphics are largely intact. Even the handle is extra cool, with a clear plastic center featuring an embedded "Gibson" logo. The fragile plastic Gibson logo plate on the face is in perfect shape as well.
Electrically, the amp is nicely original. The 10" Alnico Jensen speaker is dated to the 13th week of 1960 and original to the amp. The original power and output transformers are present as well, coded GA-23P and 549-947, respectively, the latter dating to the 47th week of 1959. Visible pot code dates to the 5th week of 1960. The amp has seen our typical maintenance and servicing, included a grounded 3-prong cord, replacement of all electrolytic capacitors, cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks and power tubes biased to spec. The amp had at some point an external speaker jack added underneath the chassis, but remains otherwise unmodified.
This is a fantastic example of this great sounding amp, one of Gibson's unsung gems. Overall Excellent Condition.