Gibson GA-6 Tube Amplifier (1955)
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Gibson GA-6 Model Tube Amplifier (1955), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 22941, mottled grey fabric finish.
This lovely GA-6 is spectacularly preserved, with minimal signs of use and remains beautifully original. In the middle years of the 1950s the GA-6 was Gibson's mid-line amplifier offering, intended to directly compete with the classic 'wide-panel' 5C3 Fender Deluxe, which in fact, the circuit of the GA-6 resembles quite a bit. The GA-6 has long been referred to as the "poor man's tweed Deluxe", although at the time it was not actually less expensive!
Much like the 5C3 Deluxe, the GA-6 sports two channels, each with a volume control and a master tone, alongside three instrument and one mic inputs. Two 6V6GT power tubes in push-pull yield around 15 watts into a Jensen 12" alnico speaker. The serial number 22941 and component codes indicate a manufacture year of 1955, during which Gibson shipped 1273 of this model. While this was a decent total for a Gibson amp, it was still far less than Fender was selling at the same time.
Height is 16 in. (40.6 cm.), 20 in. (50.8 cm.) width, and 8 1/2 in. (21.6 cm.) in depth at deepest point.
Cosmetically, this amp's outer textured cloth "oatmeal" or "poodle" covering is in excellent shape save for a handful of scuffs and minor wear along edges and corners. The only other flaw is a small, filled and covered hole on the left side of the cabinet, presumably used for a speaker extension jack in the past. This small hole appears to have been very neatly covered with some spare "poodle" covering from inside the cabinet and is barely noticeable. The grille cloth is in immaculate shape, taut and free of any tears or signs of fraying. The faceplate is likewise unscathed, with all the stenciled graphics intact and hardly any visible scratches or wear. The original handle is sadly long gone, but has been replaced by a high quality handcrafted leather reproduction by Bob Brookwood over at Brookwood Leather Co.
Electrically, the amp is nicely original. Both power and output transformers are original to the amp and marked 773-526 and 220-524, each dating to the 26th and 24th week of 1955, respectively. The original Jensen P12R, marked 220-526, dates to the 26th week of 1955. The speaker has been professionally reconed, sounds terrific and is in fantastic shape. Visible pot codes date to late '54 and early '55. The amp has received our typical maintenance to ensure reliable and safe operation for years to come, including the replacement of all electrolytic capacitors and any coupling capacitors that are too far degraded. All sockets, pots and jacks have been cleaned and the power tubes have been biased to spec. The amp has also been outfitted with a 3-prong grounded power cord. It sports an RCA 5Y3 rectifier and Sylvania 6V6GTand 6SL7 tubes.
A relatively powerful and rich Gibson amp for its size, the GA-6 is one of Kalamazoo's best offerings from this period. It makes a great recording amp with a sonic kinship to the Fender Deluxe with the highest frequencies smoothed out a bit, sweet and warm with gorgeous musical distortion when pushed. This is truly one of the cleanest 1950s Gibson amps we've seen, just a lovely piece. Excellent Condition.
This lovely GA-6 is spectacularly preserved, with minimal signs of use and remains beautifully original. In the middle years of the 1950s the GA-6 was Gibson's mid-line amplifier offering, intended to directly compete with the classic 'wide-panel' 5C3 Fender Deluxe, which in fact, the circuit of the GA-6 resembles quite a bit. The GA-6 has long been referred to as the "poor man's tweed Deluxe", although at the time it was not actually less expensive!
Much like the 5C3 Deluxe, the GA-6 sports two channels, each with a volume control and a master tone, alongside three instrument and one mic inputs. Two 6V6GT power tubes in push-pull yield around 15 watts into a Jensen 12" alnico speaker. The serial number 22941 and component codes indicate a manufacture year of 1955, during which Gibson shipped 1273 of this model. While this was a decent total for a Gibson amp, it was still far less than Fender was selling at the same time.
Height is 16 in. (40.6 cm.), 20 in. (50.8 cm.) width, and 8 1/2 in. (21.6 cm.) in depth at deepest point.
Cosmetically, this amp's outer textured cloth "oatmeal" or "poodle" covering is in excellent shape save for a handful of scuffs and minor wear along edges and corners. The only other flaw is a small, filled and covered hole on the left side of the cabinet, presumably used for a speaker extension jack in the past. This small hole appears to have been very neatly covered with some spare "poodle" covering from inside the cabinet and is barely noticeable. The grille cloth is in immaculate shape, taut and free of any tears or signs of fraying. The faceplate is likewise unscathed, with all the stenciled graphics intact and hardly any visible scratches or wear. The original handle is sadly long gone, but has been replaced by a high quality handcrafted leather reproduction by Bob Brookwood over at Brookwood Leather Co.
Electrically, the amp is nicely original. Both power and output transformers are original to the amp and marked 773-526 and 220-524, each dating to the 26th and 24th week of 1955, respectively. The original Jensen P12R, marked 220-526, dates to the 26th week of 1955. The speaker has been professionally reconed, sounds terrific and is in fantastic shape. Visible pot codes date to late '54 and early '55. The amp has received our typical maintenance to ensure reliable and safe operation for years to come, including the replacement of all electrolytic capacitors and any coupling capacitors that are too far degraded. All sockets, pots and jacks have been cleaned and the power tubes have been biased to spec. The amp has also been outfitted with a 3-prong grounded power cord. It sports an RCA 5Y3 rectifier and Sylvania 6V6GTand 6SL7 tubes.
A relatively powerful and rich Gibson amp for its size, the GA-6 is one of Kalamazoo's best offerings from this period. It makes a great recording amp with a sonic kinship to the Fender Deluxe with the highest frequencies smoothed out a bit, sweet and warm with gorgeous musical distortion when pushed. This is truly one of the cleanest 1950s Gibson amps we've seen, just a lovely piece. Excellent Condition.