Gibson GA-5 Goldtone Les Paul Junior Combo

I'm goingto keep this short and sweet, because I honestly don't have a clue as to what the difference between class A and clas A-B is. I don't know what point-to-point wiring means. I don't know who made the speaker, or how many plys the plywood contains. This amp was sitting in the Austin Guitar Cente with a Les Paul Junior (singlecut P-90) plugged into it, and the little red light was glowing. So I picked it up. The amp has one plug and one knob. The guitar had one pickup and two knobs. I was getting that warm feeling again....

... and so I sat dwn on the little stool and chorded a B on the seventh fret and jsut about fell over. Not only was it louder than God, it had the most AMAZINGLY sweet creamy/crunchy edge to it. I thought I was back in 1976 again, learning Humble Pie's "Thirty Days In The Hole" all over again. My god, if you play rock and roll and need anything more than a P-90 and this GA-5, you are either spoiled rotten or deaf. I haven't heard anything like it in twenty years. Gritty, punchy, repsonsive to whatever you're doing with the pick, this thing is a flat-out baller of an amp.

I though tI had gotten rock & roll out of my system years ago, and have been playing acoustic and lap steel for a while. Then I started listening to "Exile on Main St." again. Then "Slaughter on 10th Avenue." Then "Rio Grande Mud." Uh oh. That warm feeling again... So I got the Melody Maker with the P-90 on it, slapped on a LP Junior pickguard, and started resurrecting Leslie West and exhuming Mick Ronson. No effects but reverb, just guitar, cord, amp, like God intended it to be. The GA-5 is the ULTIMATE old-geezer practice amp, because it makes us old guys actually sound like think we've always sounded, and it makes time go in reverse until you're back in your cousin's basement in the mid-70s when you got your first Gibson and finally learned what all the fuss was about. Plus it costs so much that only us old guys with real jobs can afford to have an in-home amp this expensive. Trade in, trade up. I love my Hot Rod Deluxe, but I love this amp more.

2004 edition.This is a simple design. 5 watts of class A power, and on/off switch and a volume knob. Clean and simple.

I use this amp in my bedroom with a Valley Arts Custom Pro with Burst Buster Pro pickups and a Les Paul Junior Special with P-100's. I mainly play blues but occassionally will dabble in the Jazz arena with some Rock on the side. The amp is virtually noiseless and has a very sweet sound clean and low volumes with a slight tube distortion past 3 o'clock. Great tones at wispher quite levels.

I have only had it for a month but there is very little that can go wrong with this amp.

I haven't had any reason to use Gibson's support staff very much. I did send them an e-mail wth a product question and it was immediately replied to. But other than that, I can't give an opinion.

I have been playing it for one month and find it preferable in a lot of ways to my other amps. When I was looking for a home amp, I played a Little Laneli at 1/4 watts and a Fender's Blues Junior. This amp won hands down. If it were stolen, I would buy another one in a heart beat as it is just what I needed. If you need excellent tone, want a tube amp that's reasonably priced and well built, and like to play in your home or apartment, you cannot go wrong with this amp.

I was torn between reviewing this amp on a public forum or keeping it a secret for those of us smart enough to overlook its size and give it a spin. The features have been well documented ? an eight-inch speaker, one volume knob, two inputs, two tubes, and five watts. While I had set out to purchase an amp with tremolo and reverb, the charm of the GA-5 is its simplicity.

It all comes down to sound, doesn't it? I had become increasingly dissatisfied with my Fender Blues Junior. The reverb buzzed terribly and I was unable to get inspired tones at low volumes, even with the requisite speaker and tube changes. I had dismissed the GA-5 on several occasions because of its size and single volume knob. At $500, it seemed like a ridiculously-priced beginner's amp. However curiosity got the best of me and I plugged in a Telecaster. It was how I imagined my Telecaster would sound when I bought it a few years ago. Fantastic note definition and clarity. The more I turned up the volume, the better it got. Bell-like highs, deep-voiced lows. Wonderful growl. Granted, I was in a Guitar Center competing with a cranked Marshall half-stack. Most impressive was the teenaged black girl peeling off Slash riffs as if she was reciting the alphabet. You don't witness that very often.

I have owned this amp for only a few months. I asked for an unopened box because the floor model had taken some abuse. The leather handle was cracked and torn and the blonde tolex was scuffed. Because of the condition of the handle, I don't use mine. If something goes wrong, there isn't much under the hood to complicate any repairs. The point-to-point wiring is clean and the tubes are easily accessible.

I base this rating on my experiences with Gibson. I bought a J-45 acoustic a few years ago and contacted customer support regarding an issue. They responded within a few hours. I also wrote asking about a cover for the GA-5. Gibson responded with the link to a small business that makes custom amp covers. Above and beyond. If only their guitars weren't so expensive.

I am approaching my twelfth anniversary of picking up a guitar for the first time. I have played through many amps, none of which sound as good at low volumes. Of course, the GA-5 won't hold up with a heavy drummer, but will hold its own in a small room with a roots/blues/jazz combo. Don't under estimate those five watts. As much as I endorse this amp, I was not willing to pay the common asking price of $499. That was out of budget and out of mind. I have found that having cash in hand goes a long way in negotiating price. I offered $400 flat, they responded with $400 plus tax. Seemed reasonable.

This amp is has a basic volume control and incredibly revealing sound. The components are well matched resulting in a minimal coloring throughout it's volume range. I use mine with three guitars: Les Paul with 57's; and Les Paul supreme with a 490 and 498 pick-up; and with a Standard Americam Strat. The true sound comes out of all three. It will break-up nicely about two-thirds of the way up. This amp ISN'T your typical bedroom amplifier. It will get very loud for it's size. If you plan to keep it the values is there.

It will break-up nicely about two-thirds of the way up. This amp ISN'T your typical bedroom amplifier.

no problems yet

NA. If you buy new register it right away, Gibson can be picky.

If you plan to keep it the values is there.

Their are few bells and whistles included with this amp. Among the meager features included are two inputs (input no. 1 offering higher gain) one "chicken head" volume knob and an 8" ceramic magnet speaker. A deceptive 5 watts of power are provided by the amps utilization of a 12AX7A pre-amp tube and an EL84 power tube. The unit is a "Class A" design and all of it's guts are connected the "old fashioned way", via hand wiring.

The unit's old school,good looks are achived by a well-applied covering of blonde tolex on the cabinet, ox-blood cloth on the "TV" style speaker grill and a vintage-looking leather handle on the top. A prominent gold plated "Gibson" logo on the amps face adds icing to the cake.

I initially spotted one of these amps in my local guitar "mega store". Due to my fondness with vintage small amp combos, I was immediately drawn to the little Gibson when I spotted one in the local guitar "mega store". After procuring a telecaster I plugged in, turned the amp a little past halfway and, presto! Instant Joe Walsh. After getting my "Funk 49" on, I turned down and was surprised by complex, chimey tones, accentuated with tasty mids and piano-like lows. I knew this amp would find its way home with me.

Now that I own the amp and play it on a regular basis I have found that it fits my playing style (vintage rock, hard-edged country and 60's-style R&B) to a T. I found the amp to be very pick responsive and love the way it achieves harmonics and dynamics. I have now owned this amp for one month and I can truly say it is my favorite out of a collection that includes a Fender Blues Jr., a silver-faced Fender Champ, a 6-Watt Danelectro and a 64 Fender Band Master.

So far so good

Luckily I have no problems to deal with.

Overall I feel this amp is truly a good value. The only other hand-wired amps of this quality are produced by small "boutique" shops that would charge over $1000 for the same product. All-in- all I find this amp to be the perfect unit for home or recording use. I could probably use it out on small gigs, miked for lead tones, but the gorgeous, lower-volume settings are probably a little to quiet for most rooms. Maybe, Gibson will come out with 15-20 watt version of the same amp which would make it the best club amp available.

Single volume,great tone, what else do you need.

Absolutelly killer tone. Every guitar I've tried through this amp sounds awesome. Each guitar sounds, well, like they should. No crap to get in the way of great tone.

Here is were the trouble comes in... The first one I bought developed a major rattle in the first two weeks. Called Gibson and the guy(very friendly) said to take it to a service center (150 miles away). Being, that it was a new amp, I just sent it back. The replacement came
(imagine tense, suspensfull backround music). I opened the box to a bigger piece-O-crap than the other one. The amps metal chasis was warped, it looked as if it had to be forced into the cabinet and the jewel light didn't work. The feet on the bottom of the amp were all crooked. It's possible the cabinet wasn't square and they trying to compansate for it. The amp didn't have a rattle , but judging buy the looks of the amp, I'm sure one was right around the corner.So sent back #2. I wanted to give this amp anther try but it was back ordered for months. Darn shame. If Gibson could get their quality control together, this would be an awesome amp.

The guy I talked to on the phone was friendly enough and helpfull. Gibson should have more service centers. 150 miles to the nearest one is far! And I don't live in a small town.

I've been playing music for 25 + years.
I'd like to give this amp a one, but I can't bring myself to do it. The amp sounds so KILLER! To bad Gibson's quality contol is so poor.

Umm, it is a volume knob, right? That is all I get, riiiight? Thats right, buddy. A volume knob. that and two inputs is all you get. You want more? what the H E double sticks for?

I play a G&L s500 (strat), G&L ASAT (tele) and a Heritage H140 (les paul studio) and every guitar just sings through it. Even on 10, this thing cranks and the sound level while loud is still not ear bleeding loud.

got no opinion. haven't owned it very long, but with point to point wiring, if it do give me trouble, my soldering iron should be able to get it back up and runnin in a jiffy.

Gisbon? well I sent them an email with a question and they sent one back. seems good in my opinion, but hey I am easy to please.

I have been playing for 15+ years and I have owned some pretty sweet amps. On the small tube amp list, I have owned a Kalamazoo model 2, Electar tube 10 and a Peavey classic 15. both cool amps, but not as nice sounding as the GA-5. would I get another one if it were stolen? naw, I am sure that after I beat the poor bastard who would dare to touch my gear into submission, he would gladly return it, preventing me from having to re-purchase this cool amp. the only things I would add and may someday add are speaker out and standby switch. It boggles my mind why any company would skimp on these details. I do love the simple and lite design. previous reviewers have commented on the cost of this amp. you could get some old amp that might be as goodas this one for the price, but nothing I have seen that is hand made in the good ol US of A, and point to point wired for $499. I mean sure you could get the Crate V58 or the Fender Blues Jr. or the Pignose GV40 or Epiphone Galaxy or Electar Tube 10, but none of those less expensive amps are point to point, hand made amps.
The Pignose, Epiphone, Electar and Fender aren't even made in the USA. I am not sure about the Crate. If you have ever worked on a tube amp before and I have, trying to solder parts on or off of a PCB is a major pain. point to point wiring is where it is at!

Made in 2003, and if you are reading this you may already know that the amp only has a volume knob and an on/off switch and a hi and lo input. I have been told that tone drains the circuit, so for now I believe it.

I use it with humbuckers and single coil and it is very clean. At low volumes, it is clean and pure. My Fender Blues Junior, at low volumes, puts out unwanted "fuzzy" residual sounds when you hit the strings at low volumes. NONE of this with the Gibson Goldtone. I immediately replaced the speaker with a Weber Sig A. It sounds different, and I would have to say that I like it a little better now. At higher volumes, it sounds a little boxey, but this got better with the Weber replacement speaker. (8" speaker, can't do anything about it.) For how big it is, it sings supremely. I play bluesy and jazzy stuff. If I really listen to how the tone is of a single note through this amp, it can be inspiring.

Point to point wiring. I don't think I could break it. I don't know, maybe I could. But it seems very well built.

Never dealt with them.

I have been playing for 25 years and own Roland Jazz Chorus, Fender Hot Rod Deluxe and Fender Blues Junior. I would get it again if I lost it. I love it because it is only 17 pounds. (getting old). I hate it because it costs too much, but this is a one of a kind amp for the money, unfortunately. (A little boutique amp would cost you even more.)My curiousity got the best of me and I had to have it. I am glad I bought it, though.

Basicly this is just an 8 inch speaker and a volume control thats it simple easy. Point to point wiring all tube two inputs and a cool retro look

Well this is a very interesting part it is a clean amp at low volumes but it is also very loud and if u crank it the sound is very overdriven even more so than the GA 15rv that i own. It is great just having the volume knob and thats it it lets u just plug in turn it up and play i mean what else is there. I run it with my LP DC standard with new burstbucker pro paf humbuckers sounds excellent even my tele sounds great through it. My secret weapon is my pete towsond sg signature with p 90s sounds teriffic if u like that late 60s early 70 sound u can get everything from Clapton bluesbreakers to Zep to with an added overdrive even sabbath and if you are a pearl jam fan u put a tube screamer in front of it it rules i guess there is something about a class a amp and a overdrive pedal that just sings sustain is great u can hold a note forever and im using the Maxon OD-808 reissue and it is just a marrige made in heaven i love that pedal sounds just fantastic and if u set the amp around 12 which is crunchy but not balls to the wall and u set the pedal for a bosst with some overdrive we are talkin bout serous tone here excellent for that nice solo sound u love from santana to clapton. nuff said great amp

so far so good, my GA 15 rv came with the reverb not working and ive come to grips with that im on a waiting list to get that fixed so i figured y not get this its no reverb to break and to tell u the truth i really dont use it so much anymore anyway. My only gripe is that it has no standby switch but i have been told that a true class a amp point to point wired is a VERY dependably amp i guess thats y 50 years after they first came out these babys are still crankin

all in all i love this amp its small light weight and sounds great. it is perfect if u r looking for a small great sounding amp with all the tone ud ask for. But u cant do metal through this thing its not built for that. I have a LP An SG and a TELE for amps i have that a gibson ga 15rv and a mesa boogie single rec i have a cry baby and a maxon od 808 out of all that my main setup right now is the lp jr maxon od into the les paul i love it u can set the amp clean and jack up the od pedal for great overdrive or u can overdrive the amp and set the pedal with lots of overdrive or a nice boost very versativle with the pedal i love it ive been playin for about 9 years and love all classic rock but mainly Led Zep the stones the who neil young sabbath and for newere music pearl jam AIC soundgarden metallica GnR just basicly good old fashioned kick ass guitar rock.

2004 Gibson GA-5 Goldtone LP junior: 2 inputs, 1 volume control, 5watts class A tube, POint to point wiring, 8 inch gibson speaker(4 ohm)

I play Les Pauls:Supreme, Elegant, Class 5 and a Standard. They all sound good but slightly different. Blues, Rock and Jazz This is not a Heavy Metal amp. Setting volume past 1 o'clock, amp starts to break up for that nice break up of the clean sound. Smooth odd harmonics. Great for the blues.
Rock: I use a Tonebone classic distortion for the high gain. All the Les Pauls will sing and hold the note into a playable feedback. The Tonebone can really set the equalization or tone with its infinite adjustments. But the 8 inch speaker will not give you the crunch of a 4 x 12 cab. But that 8 inch speaker will work its ass of to try, and gets very close.
Jazz: dont turn up the volume past 12 o'clock and throw a compressor in front and it gives a great "Wes" tone.
Sounds great at home and for recording but its not loud enough to gig with, unless the drummer chills out.

Its Gibson and its made to use at home

Get with the 21st century and email them or use the forum. Very fast response.

25 years playing. Own a Fender Hotrod deluxe, Johnson Millenium and Old Carvin tube head. If it was stolen, I would buy 2 of these and run them in stereo for the wall of sound.
This amps sings compared to any of the Fender's that are tinny and harsh.