
Gibson GA-20 (1952)
Vintage
Is there a Gibson amplifier more well known than the GA-20? One could probably argue a few other examples, but we'd venture a guess that this 12" combo has made more of a lasting impact on the guitar world than most any other Gibson.
This 1952 Gibson GA-20 just came into the shop from a local vintage collection, and it's a very nice first-year example of Gibson's great low-powered 1x12 combo.Sharing some of the sonic DNA of Fender's venerable 5E3 Deluxe, the GA-20's voice separates itself with a darker overall tonality but an equally satisfying amount of breakup. The dual volume controls are interactive and share a global Tone control that can take things from softer and rounder to more biting and aggressive. These amps also tend to break up earlier too, with a beautiful natural compression at that. Boasting 12-14 watts of output, it provides just the right amount of volume for small club gigs, and excels in the studio for anything from early Blues and Jazz to Americana, Roots, Southern, and Folk Rock.
The amp was just serviced by our friend Stan Day, who swapped out a couple of tired preamp tubes and gave it typical vintage TLC. It's loaded with a vintage Jensen P12Q from 1953 that sounds amazing.
Get your 5E3 fix on the cheap with this great GA-20!
**Please Note: All vintage amplifiers - regardless of service history - contain electronic components that will eventually require replacement or repair. This is often unpredictable and should be expected as a vintage amplifier owner. We are not responsible for additional service upon receipt.**
| Power | 12-14 Watts |
| Controls | Volume | Volume | Tone |
| Switches | On/Off |
| Inputs | 3 |
| General | Plywood cabinet |
| Covering | Original Leatherette w/ original grill cloth |
| Tubes | (2) 6V6 | (2) 6SJ7 | (1) 6SL7 | (1) 5Y3 |
| Speaker | 12" Jensen P12Q |
| Transformers | Original PT | Replacement OT |
| Service History | Recap / 3-prong cable |
| Dimensions | 16½" x 20" x 9½” |
| Weight | Approx. 30lbs |
Shipping calculated at checkout. Every instrument is thoroughly checked and set up before shipping fully insured via UPS with tracking to your door. We reuse boxes and materials to cut waste when they meet our protection standard.
Inspect it, play it, and if it isn't right, contact us within 48 hours of delivery to arrange a return or one-time exchange. Returns are subject to a 5% restocking fee, and the buyer covers shipping both ways.
Pricing
We price vintage instruments using current market trends and our extensive in-house sales history, ensuring each piece is accurately valued and fairly positioned.
Tasteful Restoration
When restoration is needed, we approach it with respect and restraint - always in service of preserving the instrument’s integrity and extending its musical life for decades to come.
Accurate Listings
Every vintage guitar we list is authenticated by our seasoned team and photographed in high detail, with clear, honest descriptions that show exactly what you’re buying - no surprises.
Shipping
With decades of experience shipping high-value guitars, we know how to pack and protect vintage instruments so they arrive exactly as they should: safe, sound, and ready to play.
