Gibson BR-1 Tube Amplifier, c. 1946
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Item # 2675
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Gibson BR-1 Model Tube Amplifier, c. 1946, made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, brown fabric covering finish.
Gibson's top-of-the-line amplifier from the days just after WWII, in production for only a short time around 1946-7. The BR-1 was arguably the best and certainly the most deluxe instrument amplifier available in 1946-7, when admittedly the competition was relatively scarce! The electric guitar was still a relative novelty, but had attracted enough professional users to merit the introduction of these very expensive ($175.00-$190.00!) top-line amps.
This is a very solid and great-sounding guitar amplifier even today, as well as a rare and interesting historical piece.
An imposing looking and (for its time) powerful piece of equipment, the BR-1 carries two 6L6 power tubes and puts out 15-18 watts with a dense rich tone typical of early Gibsons. The chassis is mounted in the top of the cabinet, one of the earliest amps with this later universal feature. The tall cabinet is covered in brown fabric (not unlike 1950's Gibson cases) with "Gibson" in gold block letters across the front. The brushed aluminium grille has a large stylized "G" used only briefly by CMI as a Gibson logo.
The angled cream-enameled aluminum control panel on the back carries three inputs, two volume controls (Microphone and Instrument channels), and a master passive tone control. The knobs are rather eccentric two-stage affairs with a clear pointer arrow.
This is a closed back cabinet with a single heavy-duty 12" field-coil speaker, with a port at the bottom rear and some ornamental stamped grillwork near the top to allow the tubes to vent. The amp is quite heavy and very substantially built..the speaker is even braced from the rear!
While perhaps no longer the latest word in deluxe amplification, the BR-1 is still a most interesting amp, and a great companion to any 1940's Gibson electric guitar.
Height is 18 3/4 in. (47.6 cm.), 16 1/2 in. (41.9 cm.) width, and 10 1/2 in. (26.7 cm.) deep.
Excellent original condition with some wear/tears to the corner fabric. Front aluminum grill has some denting which could be rolled out with care.
Works fine and sounds fearsome! Excellent Condition.
Gibson's top-of-the-line amplifier from the days just after WWII, in production for only a short time around 1946-7. The BR-1 was arguably the best and certainly the most deluxe instrument amplifier available in 1946-7, when admittedly the competition was relatively scarce! The electric guitar was still a relative novelty, but had attracted enough professional users to merit the introduction of these very expensive ($175.00-$190.00!) top-line amps.
This is a very solid and great-sounding guitar amplifier even today, as well as a rare and interesting historical piece.
An imposing looking and (for its time) powerful piece of equipment, the BR-1 carries two 6L6 power tubes and puts out 15-18 watts with a dense rich tone typical of early Gibsons. The chassis is mounted in the top of the cabinet, one of the earliest amps with this later universal feature. The tall cabinet is covered in brown fabric (not unlike 1950's Gibson cases) with "Gibson" in gold block letters across the front. The brushed aluminium grille has a large stylized "G" used only briefly by CMI as a Gibson logo.
The angled cream-enameled aluminum control panel on the back carries three inputs, two volume controls (Microphone and Instrument channels), and a master passive tone control. The knobs are rather eccentric two-stage affairs with a clear pointer arrow.
This is a closed back cabinet with a single heavy-duty 12" field-coil speaker, with a port at the bottom rear and some ornamental stamped grillwork near the top to allow the tubes to vent. The amp is quite heavy and very substantially built..the speaker is even braced from the rear!
While perhaps no longer the latest word in deluxe amplification, the BR-1 is still a most interesting amp, and a great companion to any 1940's Gibson electric guitar.
Height is 18 3/4 in. (47.6 cm.), 16 1/2 in. (41.9 cm.) width, and 10 1/2 in. (26.7 cm.) deep.
Excellent original condition with some wear/tears to the corner fabric. Front aluminum grill has some denting which could be rolled out with care.
Works fine and sounds fearsome! Excellent Condition.