jhallc
1 post
Mar 13, 2014
10:39 AM
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Hi folks- I'm new to the forum. I'm trying out a 1949 gibson GA-50T and a 1955 Premier 120 tonight that I saw on craigslist here in boston. The owner is looking to get $850 for the gibson and $325 for the premier. I'm not really familiar with either. Have owned a Concert, Supro 12, and currently have a 79 Fender Champ and Valve jr. head. I'm back to playing with some folks and will be playing out in various size places. So I was looking for some volume as well as tone. Anyway, anyone have any advise on what to look for? People seem to like the 120's sound wise and I like what I have found on YouTube clips. Not much out there on the Gibson that I could find. Prices seem reasonable if in good shape. Thanks
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HawkeyeKane
2373 posts
Mar 13, 2014
11:23 AM
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Welcome to the forum first of all!
I've not heard either of these amps. But I do know a bit about the Gibson. Technologically, it's got some serious vintage mojo goin' on. Is this what you're looking at?
If so, then I'd have to think it'd have really nice harp tone and volume capabilities. It runs off a pair of old 6L6GA's. Ang Gibson amps from the 40's and 50's have a reputation for excellence when it comes to harp. The only potential drawback of it is the tubes. It uses all octal tubes for everything. The power tubes and rectifier shouldn't be much of a problem to find if you need replacements, and there are now new production 6SL7 and 6SN7 preamp tubes. 6SJ7 tubes are long out of production and getting harder to find. But the good news is they usually go for cheap. Here's the schematic...
The Premier has more modern tubes in it, and has mojo of its own. But it probably won't be anywhere near as loud as the Gibson.
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Hawkeye Kane
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jhallc
2 posts
Mar 13, 2014
11:37 AM
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@ Hawkeye Kane - I believe that is the amp that is listed. That's helpful info. If I can read the tubes I will have some idea of whether it has been modified. I'm not sure how long the current owner has had this amp and it's history. Also I believe it came with 12" and 8" Jensen speakers as did most Gibson's of that time.
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HawkeyeKane
2374 posts
Mar 13, 2014
12:16 PM
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As long as all the tubes in it have black plastic bases like these...
or these...
then it's pretty safe to say the amp hasn't been modified, at least in the tube department. If it has any tubes that look smaller without plastic bases, like these...
then someone along the way has most likely performed surgery on it. Maybe for the better...maybe not so much.
As for the speakers, yes, Gibson supplied a great many of their amps with Jensens, as well as CTS's and others. The 12-8 combination should sound very nice with harp.
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Hawkeye Kane
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rainman
130 posts
Mar 13, 2014
1:06 PM
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I would take a good look at that premier 120. I've not heard on harp, but would expect good things. I would think the price was cheap if it's in good shape.
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rbeetsme
1503 posts
Mar 13, 2014
3:52 PM
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I've inquired about the GA-30 and Ga-50 in the past. No one seems to like them for harp. Harpsucker has a video on both of these, but he doesn't have anything positive to say about either. Play through it, let us know what you think. I was negotiating on one earlier this year, Ebay sales prices were pretty low on both.
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HawkeyeKane
2377 posts
Mar 13, 2014
3:58 PM
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Rick, I'm not finding Harpsucker's vid on the GA-50. Can you help me out there?
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Hawkeye Kane - Hipbone Sam
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Barley Nectar
320 posts
Mar 13, 2014
7:09 PM
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Never played a GA-50T but with 6SJ7 inputs and .05 couplers, I can't help but think it would sound good. Input J4 should sound best IMO. Try it and see...BN
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rbeetsme
1504 posts
Mar 14, 2014
9:50 AM
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I went to his youtube site and only found the GA-30. I thought he made a comment about both amps somewhere though. The GA50 is the same amp but 50 watt instead of 25 for the GA30. The comments I've heard in the past is that these amps don't have much of an attack, too dark and muffled for harp. Reflected in the low selling prices.
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NiteCrawler .
278 posts
Mar 14, 2014
10:23 AM
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i had a clean 49 GA-30 yrs back and it sounded decent but when trying to get volume it would squeal.I would have liked to have pre-amp tubed it down for less gain but the pre-amp tubes were like the metal ones above.i wanted to keep the amp original so I ended selling my $125.yard sale score for $1000.Great profit but I still miss it anyway,she was a real beaut.One note though is if they modded it and put in glass/preamps that could make a difference possibly.
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Slimharp
245 posts
Mar 14, 2014
11:03 AM
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Out side of the good advice hear, play through it. I have a Gibson GA- 30 and I love it. The only drawback is it is only 15 watts and doesnt cut very well with electric guitars. I would by the GA 50 in a heart beat for $850.00. 1. it is very collectable and 2. If it doesnt work out for a harp amp ( which seems odd given the different pedals and anti-feedback gear available ) I am sure it would be desirable for a guitar amp. I paid $1000.00 for an excellent condition 1953 GA-30. The one big deal with this amp is the added volume available. The other thing is..... there aint many of these babies left.
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bonedog569
908 posts
Mar 15, 2014
1:07 AM
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I'll second Slims sentiments. Play through it. I'd love to check one out. I've got a GA6 and a BR9 and love them both. I always thought the two sized speakers would be cool for harp. The GIbson's have been appreciating a lot in recent years - If it's in decent shape I would think it would be a decent investment
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rbeetsme
1505 posts
Mar 15, 2014
5:16 AM
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jhallc - Did you try out the GA50? As I stated above, curious about this one.
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jimr
62 posts
Mar 15, 2014
8:30 AM
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A bit of correction, I think- octal preamp tubes may be metal or glass bottles. 6SJ7 tubes are not expensive or hard to find.
The schematic is similar to some excellent harmonica amps including the Masco MA17 and Gibson GA 40 and Maestro. That is- pentode first gain stage and paraphase inverter. Looks like two of the channels are running the 6SJ7 preamp in triode mode and might have less gain. The tone circuit may be a disadvantage- I can't really tell. I bet it will be a relatively quiet 6L6 x 2 amp given circuit design and likely lowish power tube plate voltage.
Jim R
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jhallc
3 posts
Mar 17, 2014
5:20 AM
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Ok I finally got a chance to play through the GA-50 and it put out some wonderful sounds. The low end break up was something else. It growled with a tight cup on the mic. It had old, original?, alnico Jensen's in it. Tubes were a mix of RCA an GE. I really liked it! That said it had some issues. Mic input would cut out occasionally. Volume were pretty scratchy and it didn't have a back. But it is 60 + years old! Ended up buying the premier 120 even though it didn't have the volume of the GA-50. I plan to gig with it and it seemed like it might be a bit more reliable. I can also pair it up with my fender champ to give me the higher end and more volume. May regret passing it up. If anyone is interested I can send you the owners contact info here in Boston.
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HawkeyeKane
2386 posts
Mar 17, 2014
8:06 AM
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Well...you went with your gut, and I of course respect that. Hindsight being 20/20, I will say that the problems with the Gibson you describe here sound like they were very easy fixes. The mic input cutting out was more than likely just a loose connection in the jack, and the scratchy volume pot probably just needed a good cleaning. But I understand why you went the way you did. If I were to drop a chunk of change on an amp I planned to gig with, I'd want it to be in good playing condition too. The Premier should serve you well. :-)
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Hawkeye Kane - Hipbone Sam
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Barley Nectar
325 posts
Mar 17, 2014
4:37 PM
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Unless the Gibby had been gone thru in the last 20 yrs, it probably needed everything! I have worked on GA's with the old wax caps. The caps are shot, the electrolytic are shot, most of the resistors are off spec. Problem is, after you rebuild them, they may or may not sound as good. They are worth less in the eyes of some people. Also, the cost of restoration is significant if done by someone else. Jhallc, you probably made a good choice for a giging amp. Of corse, all of the above may apply to the Premier also. JMO. Good luck to you sir...BN
Last Edited by Barley Nectar on Mar 17, 2014 4:42 PM
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jhallc
4 posts
Mar 17, 2014
9:12 PM
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Thanks folks. I'm happy with the Premier. The guitarist who owned it said he did have caps replaced. It had newer JJ 6V6's and at least 2 of the 12ax7's look newer. It's not much to look at, this was not a closet queen. Cigaret burns and all, but everything works as it should for now.
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