Up for sale, a 1955 Gibson GA-55V vintage tube guitar amplifier in excellent condition and in perfect working order. One of Gibson's premium offerings in the mid '50s, this example has been thoroughly serviced by our techs here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar, balancing originality and functionality. Loaded with a pair of NOS matched Sylvania 6L6GB power tubes, the GA-55V's Instrument Channel is warm and wooly, with a Bass control that has a particularly wide sweep. Clean tones give way to smooth overdrive at about 4 on the volume dial and the distortion has some serious muscle and fullness. Dimed out (with the EQ dimed out too), the amp is very touch sensitive and positively roars with natural tube saturation. Similar in response but with a bit more glassy top end, the Microphone Channel has more clean snap before pushing into the same thick, churning overdrive as the Instrument Channel.

Exclusive to the Instrument Channel, this GA-55 has the "V" suffix denoting the vibrato circuit which was borrowed from Wurlitzer and is a true pitch shifting design. While this effect originally was activated via an unwieldy control box and cable that had to plug into the guitar, we've added a polished wood custom made footswitch to the equation with controls for Speed and Depth as well as a Switchcraft on/off switch for the effect. Now just plug into the first channel and access the effect via the footswitch for a warm, swirling effect that has good depth and real pitch shifting warble.

The preamp and vibrato circuit have been completely recapped and all original caps are included with the amp. Original resistors, pots, and remaining stock caps are still present in the preamp, and a three-prong power cable has been installed. While the power transformer is the original dating to the 48th week of 1954, the output transformer is a vintage, factory spec replacement made by Stancor, mounting to the Jensen speaker frame in the original fashion.

Both original dark green frame Jensen P12Q speakers are present, and these speakers have a smooth response with bell-like top end and great dynamic response. Both speakers retain their original bell covers with "Jensen Alnico 5" gold foil labels. The date codes on the edges of the speaker frames are from late 1954 and early '55. Aesthetically the amp shows modest wear on the edges of the enclosure and particularly the bottom corners, yet the original two tone cosmetics are intact and do present well. The leather handle is a modern replacement

This GA-55V has been thoroughly serviced (no small feat) and is largely original with stock Jensen speakers and a new custom-made footswitch to easily engage the vibrato effect.

Check out our shop "Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar," and please let us know if we can answer any questions!

Shipping in the continental USA will be by FedEx Ground and will be $135, fully insured. We use double thick boxes, 1" foam, and industrial 1/2" bubble wrap to assure that your amp arrives safely. We will happily ship WORLDWIDE, but please contact us for an accurate international shipping quote before bidding or buying, as cost varies by buyer location.

International orders will be declared as “merchandise,” and the value of merchandise will be declared as the amount paid. We cannot declare anything as a gift or for a lesser value. No exceptions! The customer is responsible for all taxes and duty, which may be collected upon delivery.

We do our best to describe all items with honesty and accuracy, but to be sure, please contact us with any questions or concerns prior to bidding or buying. We require payment within 48 hours of auction end. In the unlikely event of a return, buyer pays all shipping costs. Your positive feedback and five star ratings are very important to us, and we appreciate your communication in resolving any issues!