Up for sale, a 1962 Gibson GA77-RVT Vanguard 1x15” tube amplifier in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original two-button footswitch.  Freshly serviced and retaining a full complement of vintage tubes, this amp is in many ways the Gibson equivalent of Fender’s Vibroverb. A two-channel affair with a pair of freshly biased 6L6 power tubes, the GA77-RVT Vanguard features on-board Tremolo and Reverb, fitted with the original JBL D-130F 15” speaker.

This Gibson offers smooth, robust clean tones with both ample warmth and sparkling top end clarity. The lows are full and rich, and there’s lots of harmonic complexity in the upper midrange. Pushing the amp hard at higher volumes delivers a touch of compression and cascades into overdrive, with plenty of ambient splash provided by the spring reverb on Channel Two. The second channel also features tremolo, with a strong pulse and great depth. Each channel has two inputs, with independent Volume, Bass and Treble knobs, and Channel Two also has Reverberation, Tremolo Depth and Tremolo Frequency controls.  

All of the original transformers are intact, manufactured by Triec and Magnetic Components Inc., all dating to 1962. The circuit is hand-wired on a tag board and serviced to function reliably. The power supply has been rebuilt with new filter caps, the rectifier diodes and primary power supply step down resistors have been replaced, and the bias supply has been tweaked to be adjustable, ensuring more precise voltages and longer tube life. Additionally, the Tremolo circuit has been serviced, and all tube sockets have been cleaned and tensioned. The tube complement comprises two vintage 6L6 power tubes (one Westinghouse and one RCA), with a host of vintage preamp tubes (RCA-branded). The original JBL D130-F speaker is present, rated at 8 ohms.

The faceplate features the majority of its original graphics, and the original black reflector cap knobs with red pointers are present. The raised plastic Gibson badge on the amp’s face is missing a couple of letters, and cosmetic touches include the original smooth brown tolex and the notably clean oxblood grillcloth with aluminum trim. Cosmetic wear on this amp includes a number of minor scuffs and marks on the tolex, largely relegated to the edges and sides.  

The original two-button (Tremolo and Reverb) footswitch is included.