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 1957 Gibson GA-20 recently came into the shop, and marks the first of its kind we've had here, at least in this late 50s configuration.
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 replaced the old lamp style power cord. The original plastic badge had broken off at some point prior to our acquisition, so we sourced a nice replacement, which has been glued to the cab. It's a handsome amp, and sounds fabulous with just about anything you plug into it.
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.**