Comments on: Gibson Guitar Amplifers: 1966

By: Daniel

Daniel — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 23:18:07 +0000

They look so nice the vintage classic and original amps

By: Dennis Harris

Dennis Harris — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 22:39:00 +0000

Hmmm,
I am Dennis Harris. I have been a bassist since the early 60’s. I am in my 60’s as we speak. I own and continue to play through a 1964 Gibson Atlas Medalist bass amp. I bought it in 1966 from a music store in Georgia. I think it is built like a rock. I did blow the original Jensen 15 inch speaker in about 1969. I replaced it with an aluminum voice coiled “Utah” replacement speaker. The only other thing I have done to it over the years is replace the tubes. I found Sovtek tubes work just right. My transformer does not have the brown “bleeding” like so many Gibsons that I have seen. Unfortunately, my case is pretty beat up. So, I intend to rebuild the wooden case to spec (make it look better). However, I expect the electronics in this amp will last another 50 years without rewiring or any other modification. Bottomline.. Maybe some would say cheap ..but my Gibson Atlas Medalist continues to pass the test of time..Thxs for the forum…

By: Bafflegab

Bafflegab — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 04:41:02 +0000

Yeah, the old Gibson amps were less than well laid out. Some were worse than others. But the main reason they are not as prevalent today is that fewer were sold and more were junked early on when they needed fixing. No one wanted them.

The old DIY magazines like Audiocraft and the various tube and transformer vendors had some good articles on how to lay stuff out. The Mullard book (free at pmillett.com) has some beautiful layouts as do many Brit magazine articles that show up once an a while.

Fender published both schematics and detailed underchasssis layouts that are readily available.

But having the old stuff to look at and compare firsthand is often best.

The ARRl handbooks are sometimes good and sometimes an example of what NOT to do.

By: Brad Rinkert

Brad Rinkert — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 06:11:08 +0000

The “gold standard” of how to build tube equipment is easily the old Tektronix oscilloscopes, but those are really at an unattainable standard. More relevant are many old pieces of military and 2 way radio equipment.