Gibson BR-6 Model Tube Amplifier (1947), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, brown fabric covering finish.
This BR-6 was Gibson's less expensive amplifier offering in the immediate postwar period during 1946-7, a simple and relatively lightly built combo but nonetheless effective. Immediately following the end of the war, Gibson began planning their comeback. Seth Lover had returned from Navy service with new electronics training added to his nearly 20 years of experience in radio and amplifier design, rejoined the amplifier team lead by Walter Fuller. The two faced multiple challenges; Gibson head Guy Hart was eager to get back into the amplifier market but like many other industrial firms who had seen their factories repurposed for wartime production, much of Gibson's pre-war tooling had been lost or broken, or was now obsolete.
Hart made the decision to seek outside help in the form of Chicago design firm Barnes and Reinecke to help Gibson return from their war footing to consumer industrial production. The first post-war series of amplifiers produced by Gibson carry that name in the "BR" designation. The mid-range BR-4 was the first to hit the market in 1946, followed shortly by the top of the line BR-1 and this entry level BR-6.
Although ostensibly a new design the postwar BR-6 was built with a circuit practically little changed from its 1930's ancestors. While the design of the chassis represented a clear departure from their pre-war offerings, the presence of an ERPI licensing sticker inside the chassis is clear evidence that the circuit itself is a pre-war design. The bottom mounted chassis has a preamp section with one 6SL7 and one 6SN7 feeding two 6V6 power tubes pushing an 8-10 watt output into single 10" field-coil speaker; the two inputs share only a single volume control. This is enclosed in a simple thin-walled box cabinet almost completely open from the rear. Three symmetrical openings in the face of the brown fabric cabinet are covered in gold patterned "radio" cloth, and beneath them is a fairly discreet gold block letter GIBSON logo.
The BR-6 definitely has a no-frills feel but is still a well-made and good-sounding amp, intended for students and professionals on a budget and originally retailed at $77.50, the same price as the prewar EH-150. This initial design was replaced by a modernized BR-6 by 1948, so this is a pretty rare piece. The early BR-6 still makes a good raunchy-sounding harp or low-volume guitar amp today, and is a nice companion for any 1940's Gibson electric steel or Spanish guitar.
Height is 17 in. (43.2 cm.), 14 in. (35.6 cm.) width, and 8 1/8 in. (20.6 cm.) .
Cosmetically, the amp is in good vintage condition, especially considering its age. The brown cloth covering is largely intact, with moderate damage only around the back edges of the enclosure. The tan leather handle is a replacement though its aesthetics remain true to type, the brass brackets that hold it are original. The wave-patterned gold grille cloth is well preserved, taut and free of holes with very minor fraying. The gold-stenciled Gibson logo below the grill is beautifully preserved, as are the brass flower-style screws holding the grille in place. The rear control panel and metal chassis has moderate corrosion typical of the era but the cream lettering on the back panel remains crisp and intact. The single "chicken head" volume knob is original. The original ERPI licensing sticker inside the enclosure is still remarkably intact and legible.
Electrically, the amp is in good working order. The 12" Rola field effect speaker is original and dates to the 52nd week of 1946. The Stancor power transformer is also original and dates to the 22nd week of 1946. It has been fully refurbished by our in-house professionals, a grounded 3-prong power cable installed, electrolytic and failure-prone wax paper capacitors replaced and all other components thoroughly tested, all sockets, pots and jacks cleaned and the power valves biased to spec. The sound is fairly dark (typical of Gibson) but not murky and breaks up nicely when cranked. Overall Excellent - Condition.
