Gibson GA-80 Vari-tone Tweed Guitar Amp 1959
$5,500.00No Sales Tax For Customers Outside Of California.
I've been holding this rare Gibson GA-80 back for a while, but here we go!
The reason for the hold is this... The original speaker has some writing on it in sharpie. It says TROWER and R.T.B. I was hoping to find a connection with Robin Trower to see if I could get some confirmation of his prior ownership of the amp. I have no connection whatsoever to people who know him, so it hasn't worked out the way I hoped. I assume that my direct outreach wasn't on a priority list for him, which is completely understandable.
But, I would say this: Why would anyone write that on the speaker? There is no good reason to fake it. When I traded the amp in, the previous owner had said he had heard that Mr Trower had used the amp in the studio as the overdrive was something that couldn't be replicated elsewhere. That is definitely true - this amp absolutely rips and blows minds! It has been a blast plugging people into it in the shop!
So, Trower or no Trower, the amp is a beast, and a rare one at that. 594 GA-80s were made by Gibson in total. 1959 was the first year of production - 282 were made.
This example has been professionally and responsibly serviced. There is a vintage looking, grounded power cable. 4 caps were swapped out as part of the work. Otherwise, the amp is perfect and truly sings. It is like nothing else in the shop, and that's saying something!
- Case/Cover?: No
- Color: Tweed
- Dimensions: W22" x H20" x D9-3/4"
- Weight: 40lbs
- Watts: 25 Watts
- Date: 1959
- Where date is noted: Pots, Transformer
- Speaker 1 Brand/Model: Jensen Alnico V, P15N
- Speaker 1 Size: 15"
- Speaker 1 Code: C 5597 2
- Speaker 1 Cone: Reconed 12/23
- Power Transformer: Original
- Output Transformer: Original
- Choke Transformer: Original
- Extension Speaker Out? No
- Reverb or other effects?: Vari-Tone, Tremolo
- Rectifier Tube: 5AR4 / GZ34
- Rectifier Tube Brand: ?
- Power tubes: 2 x 6L6 Tested
- Power Tube Brand: Phillips
- Preamp Tubes: 2 x ECC83, 2 x 5879
- Preamp Tube Brand: ? and Phillips
- Filter Caps: Recapped 2/23
- Pedal?: No
- Pots, codes: Original 134 930
- Grille: Original
- Knobs: Original, some chipped see pics
- Handle: Original
- Power cord: 3 Prong
- Notes:
Shipping policy:
Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions. If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to sales@maharsvintageguitars.com. Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.