Gibson Gibsonette GA-8 Model Tube Amplifier (1954), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 786, brown fabric covering finish.

This funky little 1954 Gibson amp has roots hailing back to the mid-40s. The GA-8 is a fairly simple design but one of the company's longest standing amplifier circuits of many iterations, this being the first. Named Gibsonette, the little amp packs quite a punch. Like the remainder of Gibson's amplifier line of the day, the Gibsonette is clad in brown "luggage-style" faux-leather covering and a sturdy perforated metal grille covering the speaker.

This example was likely made in early 1954 and retains the simplest GA-8 circuit; the rear control panel features two instrument inputs and just one volume knob and on/off switch, not unlike Fender's Champ and Princeton around that time. The self-splitting push-pull 6V6 power section yields around 8-10 watts into a 10" field coil Jensen speaker. This was a fairly successful model for Gibson at the time with 839 examples shipped in 1954, though popularity of the model would soar in the early 1960's with the inclusion of on-board tremolo and redesigned cabinets. These older iterations maintain a sweeter sound at low volume and a smooth warm growl when pushed, enhanced by the organic responsiveness of the field coil speaker.

Height is 13 1/2 in. (34.3 cm.), 17 1/2 in. (44.4 cm.) width, and 7 in. (17.8 cm.) in depth at deepest point.

Cosmetically, the amp shows some typical wear and tear but no heavy abuse or alterations. The brown faux-leatherette covering shows a fair amount of minor tearing and scuffing, particularly around the lower edges as well as a cigarette burn on the top towards the back edge. The rear control panel is nicely clean overall with only minor signs of corrosion and the stenciled graphics are all intact. The speaker grille cover is in good shape and the cabinet still retains all the decorative side piping; even the stenciled Gibsonette logo is still present! The handle is a newer replacement with the handle hardware re-riveted to the cabinet.

Electrically, the amp is nicely original. The 10" Jensen field-coil speaker is original to the amp and bears the code 220-433, dating it to the 33rd week of 1954. It has been professionally reconed and both sounds and tests great. Both the power and output transformers are original and the former bearing the code 166-417, dating it to the 16th week of 1954. The volume pot dates to the 15th week of 1954. The amp has seen our typical service and maintenance, including replacement of all electrolytics caps, cleaning of pot, jacks and sockets, a three prong grounded power cable installed and the power section biased to spec.

This is a really cool sounding little amp and still something of an unsung classic, with a lot of classic Gibson tone in its little box! Overall Very Good Condition.