Just got an AWESOME new small tube amp...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rickson Gracie
  • Start date Start date
similar amp

yeah, I've looked into building my own Kalamazoo model one (like the GA-5) but with a tone knob. I would be at least $200 to build it myself....

Used ones can be foudn frequently on ebay... some of you may want to look into this if you find the pricing on the Gibson Les Paul Jr rediculous
 
This is a review of the Gibson GA-5 Les Paul Jr. amp from Guitar Player (June 2004):

http://www.guitarplayer.com/archive/0604/0604_BenchTests6.htm

"A peek under the hood reveals top-quality components and construction. Boutique-pedigreed parts include Sprague electrolytic capacitors, Mallory 150 coupling capacitors, and carbon-comp resistors. Everything is secured to spade-type turret-lugs on a heavy phenolic board, and neatly wired point-to-point. Considering its impressive boutique-style build quality, the GA-5 is an astounding value."

I like Fender too but it's apples and oranges. The Fender Blues Jr (my other amp) is $400 new (as opposed to $449 for the Gibson). It's made in Korea I believe and it's not "boutique build quality" my anymeans. I still love it though. They make a great pair.

I also recently picked up an Epiphone Galaxie 10 all tube amp for $199. It has a similar setup as the Gibson Les Paul Jr. amp but the Gibson GA-5 sounds so much sweeter. You get what you pay for.

Im actually leaving my Fender phase after buying a new US strat and a MIM Tele a few months back I'm playing my Black Gibson SG Standard more and more these days. There's nothing like the crunch of a humbucker on the SG!
 
gusfinley said:
yeah, I've looked into building my own Kalamazoo model one (like the GA-5) but with a tone knob. I would be at least $200 to build it myself....

Used ones can be foudn frequently on ebay... some of you may want to look into this if you find the pricing on the Gibson Les Paul Jr rediculous
Click to expand...


Does that $200 include a table saw and other misc hand tools for assembling a cabinate?

What about the skill needed to woodwork the box into an actual box?

Then there is understanding all the little stuff about wiring it properly and knowing how to assemble a PCB board.

Then there is the final product. Was/will it be the quality and will it even work on the first try? That depends on how skilled you are to begin with.



I think all that offsets the other $250. ;)
 
cstockdale said:
I haven't played that particular amp, but I totally agree on small amps being the shit. I have a Garnet amp (made in Winnipeg) that is all tube, point to point wiring, a vintage NOS 1950s Celestion alnico 12" speaker all with 5W driving it. It is amazing, and it has one more knob than the Gibson: tone. Plus it has a killer treble boost circuit in it which smokes. 5W of tubes being driven hard (12ax7 and 6L6), sweet jesus that baby sounds good. I paid $350 CDN for it, and it was worth every penny. Only 5 of them ever made, back in 1999. Signed by Gar Gillies (the maker) on the faceplate.

Sometimes I like to run my wildkat (p90's) into my Fender HRDx, with a few effects and a stereo delay in the effects loop, and run one out from the stereo delay back into the HRDx, and one out to the Garnet Mohawk. I keep the Fender tone bright, and I run the Garnet really hot but with the tone dialled way down, it is such a wicked sound with the really loud clean and slightly quieter low end distortion bouncing off each other.

I imagine that Gibson would sound similar but with its own idiosyncracies.
Click to expand...



wanna talk about low-wattage and tone? http://emerysound.com/Superbaby.html
 
I'm not taking a jab at anyone. I truly am amazed at how much people will pay for market hyped products. Another example is Monster Cables.

How much point-to-point wiring can there be in the little Gibson amp? A PC board would work just as well and would drop the expense considerably. If the amp only cost $150 to $200, you wouldn't care if it didn't last thirty years.

I have paid lots of money for capability in devices that were not physically worth that much money before, so I'm not really criticizing anyone for buying the little Gibson amp. I've bought Gibson products before myself. Even some new ones.

Happy holidays to everyone. Enjoy your stuff, whatever it is and however much you paid for it.
 
Fendophile said:
I'm not taking a jab at anyone. I truly am amazed at how much people will pay for market hyped products. Another example is Monster Cables.

How much point-to-point wiring can there be in the little Gibson amp? A PC board would work just as well and would drop the expense considerably. If the amp only cost $150 to $200, you wouldn't care if it didn't last thirty years.

I have paid lots of money for capability in devices that were not physically worth that much money before, so I'm not really criticizing anyone for buying the little Gibson amp. I've bought Gibson products before myself. Even some new ones.

Happy holidays to everyone. Enjoy your stuff, whatever it is and however much you paid for it.
Click to expand...


Gibson's Goldtone Amps are not over hyped or over marketed. Relativley few people play them compared to Marshalls, Mesa/Boogies, and Fender amps. I think you might be just stereo typeing Gibson Goldtone amps based on your veiws of Gibson guitars. I don't know.

-bradly
 
I don't want to hijack the thread but I just bought a Fender Blues Junior today. Holy crap I love it. It sounds great when you crank it all the way. Man, just smoooth. I can't wait till Saturday so I can plug in my new Les Paul Supreme into this little monster. Ohhhhhhhh It's gonna be sweet.
 
Outlaws said:
If you read the post I quoted and made my comment to, then you might want to have directed that remark there.




"Then again, folks that pay Gibson prices these days are a mystery to me anyway."

Hmmm

It was a completely valid jab. :D IMO
Click to expand...

actually i think you were in the right. sorry about that.
 
HangDawg said:
I don't want to hijack the thread but I just bought a Fender Blues Junior today. Holy crap I love it. It sounds great when you crank it all the way. Man, just smoooth. I can't wait till Saturday so I can plug in my new Les Paul Supreme into this little monster. Ohhhhhhhh It's gonna be sweet.
Click to expand...

congrats man. it seems like you've been getting a bunch of stuff lately. is your wife really supportive of your playing, or do you come home to an angry house most nights?
 
Rickson Gracie said:
http://guitarsale.com/hierarchyimages/product_346_1761.jpg
Click to expand...


i just realised that you used a link from music machine. is that were you bought the amp or did you just randomly run across that pic? that's the store i was referring to that sells it for 400 bucks. doesn't seem like it would be worth it to buy it from them mail order though.

nevermind. i just re-read your post and realised that you got it from guitarcenter.
 
Last edited:
donkeystyle said:
congrats man. it seems like you've been getting a bunch of stuff lately. is your wife really supportive of your playing, or do you come home to an angry house most nights?
Click to expand...


Yeah, she's into it. Not in the normal wife way either. Matter of fact she is in training to be our sound woman. She gets pissed cause we rent a different board every gig. Now she wants one of her own. I pointed her to a 16 channel A&H mix wizard :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top