Gibson Les Paul Junior GA-5 Replica 1954 - Varnished Hardwood

The Gibson Les Paul Junior GA-5 was first produced in 1954. The design uses an EL84 output tube in Class A, delivering almost 5 Watts into an 8 inch speaker. An ECC83 front end provides plenty of gain. This is almost exactly the same circuit that was also used in the Fender Champ.

This amplifier is a reproduction based on the original Gibson design but using all new components and a few small variations:

• JJ ECC83 and EL84 tubes
• F&T electrolytic capacitors
• Orange Drop coupling capacitors
• Hammond power and output transformers
• Jensen C8R Special Design 8 inch speaker.
• Original design rectifier tube replaced by solid state diodes.
• Three-pin power plug for better safety

The cabinet is solid hardwood originally produced by Fender. The wood is really quite nice so it seemed wrong to hide it under the usual layer of Tolex. It's been varnished with good quality outdoor varnish so it should handle every day use. If you hate the look you can always cover it in the Tolex of your choice.

The internal construction is all hand-wired using good quality tag strips. There is no printed circuit board. Take a look at the pictures. What this means to you is that it's closer to the original construction method, although rather nicer looking. It also means that it took a lot longer to build than a PCB version would. From an electronics point of view the tag strip method of construction has no advantage over a PCB, but it does mean that this amplifier is unique, and a bit more interesting to look at. 

If you buy this amp you can be sure that you have something that nobody else has.

YouTube video shows Russ Kruse of Florida Tuba Amp plaything this amp.