Gibson 79-RVT

I bought my 61 tweed RVT from Murch Music in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada 6 years ago.
I has the obligatory cigarette burns on the top and I've reconed the speakers.
5 inputs 2 for channel 1, 2 for channel 2 and there's 1 for accordion!
It even has stereo in for record players, CD players etc. that works quite well.
It has one of the best reverbs I've ever heard and it goes on and on.
Just a touch is nice, but I also run a delay (again, just a touch) and Ibanez Tube Screamer to get that bluesey/southern tone.
I love the sound and it is very responsive to differnt guitars (64 ES 330 Gibson, 61 Les Paul jr., 89 Les Paul Studio, 74 Tele).
It is quite loud for a 30 watter and has some uniqueness that I really like.
I have run in mono and stereo, but really like when you bridge channels 1 and 2 together.
One side is bright and the other a little darker. You can make these puppies have any sound you'd like.
It does like to be warmed up to get the best sound, but that's just a no cost option!
I've had it to my amp guru Buzzie at Sound FX in Toronto for tubes and he bought a blue tolex one about 4 years ago himself!
If I had to keep just one amp, it'd be a toss up between the RVT and my Tweed Deluxe.
The amp nevers leaves the house as I'm a bass player, but this amp rocks!
Although it maybe a little fragile, it's one of the best amps I've ever heard!

The variety is amazing as you can bridge channels, use channel 1 or 2 in stereo.
I like the bluesey sounds and the natural distortion van be dialled in as necessary.
You can also change the tone to a jazzier sound by just turning down the guitar volume, but I like it cranked.
I play it at about 4 on ther volume and beyond that you have that ZZ Top sound coming through loud and clear.
I don't realize how loud it is (in the house) until my ears are ringing, but it sounds so sweet!
It has been a little noisy, but I have an amp guru that is beyond excellent.
They have to be played, so, it's a tough job, but, I'm up to the task.

A little fragile, but they were made to be loked after.
It has a lock for the reverb, so that's not an issue.
The tubes are pricey, but the sound makes up for that.
It has made some sqealing noises, but again my amp gurus are great.
If you take care of it ... the sounds will come!

No chance ... it's going on 45 years old!

I have been a professional musician for 35 years.
I started as a lead player with guys using Vox AC 30's, but mostly Fenders.
Presently it is in the company of 4 other tweeds, but this one has a character all it's own.
The reverb is worth the money itself, but with the stereo features ...
I love this amp.
It's unique and has so many wonderful sounds.
It keeps showing me different sounds all the time that are usable.
Our guitar player in the band would love to use it, but I can't let it leave home!
Amazing technology for 45 years ago!
Again it makes me love playing guitar.

This amp has 2 completely seperate channels with thier own power amp sections and speaker. There are 5 inputs on this amp. Two for each channel and for a stereo accordian (or so it's labelled). The first channel has volume, bass, treble, and reverb controls. The second channel has volume, bass, and treble controls. Each channel goes into it's own EL84 class A power amp section and then of to a Jensen 10" speaker. There is a switch on the control panel to switch this amp from stereo to mono.

This amp takes a while to get warmed up, but once it gets going it has a sweet glassy sound to it. It cranks pretty good for a 30W amp (that's 15W for each side). This is one of the greatest sounding little amps I've ever heard once it gets going. Great for an old Billy Gibbons blues tone with a Les Paul, or a sweet, warm, R&B rythmn tone with a strat.

This amp was built in 1961. When I got it, it had the original tubes in it. I had to replace some of the tubes to get it running again. They weren't your typical amp tubes.. they were hard to find and expensive! It tends to make some crackles and hums from time to time. It also takes a while for it to get warmed up and sounding decent. Certainly not for gigging use because it's fragile and temermental.

No sense in calling Gibson about an amp they built 36 years ago. I wish I knew someone local that would fixup the crackling noises. I've tried cleaning pots and jacks to no avail. One guy I brought it to was scared of it because he'd never seen one before.

I bought this amp because I'd seen Aspen Pittman write about it in the tube amp repair books. He rates it as one of the all time great amps. When I saw it in a store for a very reasonable price, I snagged it. For sitting in a living room and jammin' on, it's amazing! I'd never bring it out of the house, because it's pretty fragile. I've seen one other of these once at a vintage guitar show, and they wanted $1500 for it. I'd never sell mine out for the $1300 profit.