Gibson GA-79's

[MorganS]

Hey I am thinking about picking up a project amp, hopefully a gibson 79. How much are they worth? The one I'm thinking about getting would be fully restored. I would put new speakers in it and clean up all the electronics. The tolex looks beat up so I will see if I need to recover it.

So what are you guys thinking?

Morgan

[Wally]

So, are you looking at a GA79RVT that has beat up cosmetics, original speakers, original circuitry???
Tolex would be the last thing I would do. IF the original Jensens are there, I would recone them if they needed it. Recap the amp and make everything correct about it. PLay it.
Value? It depends. More data needed. These are rare amps and the value is dependent on originality and condition. Primo examples probably are somewhere around $2K asking???? Just a guess. It could be more by now.

[MorganS]

I am ether going safe with a fender champ or princeton, but the other option is to get a project gibson. It has original wiring and everythings original. Its missing the speakers and the tolex is beat up.

You going to laugh. I thought it was cool for 56 bucks.

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-GIBSON-79-TUBE-MULTI-PURPOSE-GUITAR-AMPLIFIER_W0QQitemZ300172993303QQihZ020QQcategoryZ 10171QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

A nicer one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/1961-Gibson-GA-79RVT-Great-Condition-Incredible-Tone_W0QQitemZ220173850690QQihZ012QQcategoryZ10171 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Morgan

[Wally]

Morgan, the only thing about that less expensive amp is the bottom....it has sat in water or so it appears. The second one makes my mouth water. I had a Ga-78 Bell Stereo....same as the Gibson and the Maestro...no reverb. I so want that primo example. I may get in on it just to assure that it goes for more than I can afford. IF it went for cheap, I would kick myself...unless of course I got it.

[MorganS]

Haha, yeah if you want it go for it! I'm thinking of going for a little champ or something safe. I just wanted a project though. Can you describe the sound of the ga 79, and such. What do you think?

Morgan

[Wally]

El-84's, JEnsen P10Q's...tight, chimey, smooth break up. I have an ES-345 STereo that works really well through a true stereo amp...one pickup to each side. The tremolo is magnificent.
If that rough one wasn't so bad on the bottom power section, I would go for it. I have the speakers for it...date match and all. I just can't go all of that rust on the bottom section.

[MorganS]

You think it still functions though. I would try to clean it up. Is it worth it though? You know my guitar the 175, with the cc pup. I want something warm for under $450. I can't drag my twin everywhere, so I wanted something smaller but still had a nice tone. I would want something mostly clean that can move some air. I don't want it to be cold though. With the tubes I thought it would be nice, but I don't know. Anyt thoughts?

Morgan

[Wally]

Morgan, that amp is an unknown quantity. It is hard to know what its value is. I am going to watch it, too.

[MorganS]

Morgan, that amp is an unknown quantity. It is hard to know what its value is. I am going to watch it, too.

What do you mean?

"Unknown quantity"

Morgan

[Wally]

It is not functioning....therefore it is unknown whether or not the components that are there are functional....amin considerations are the transformers. The transformers, like the speakers, hold much of the vintage value in the amp. Without them,the amp is more expensive to bring to life and loses value in the market. The tweed covering is good to go, imo. No recover needed. The cosmetics are not the problem with this one.

[MorganS]

So ya think I should stay away. No where does it say it doesnt work. I think I'll go with a fender.

Morgan

[MorganS]

hey,

Yeah but for for 56 bucks it looked interesting. The guy doesn't have
to much info in the description. I think we need to go into this
knowing what were getting into. Have you sent him some questions? I
think we need to see if he knows anything and if he had it working. I
would probably throw in 58 bucks and if I was interested esnipe at the
end. I think you should ask him some questions about it, because you
know more about it than me. I'm weary though, and it does look
interesting.

Thanks
Morgan



It wont let me send you an email

[Wally]

Morgan, it is being sold 'as is', and it is obvious that the amp is not working. There are no speakers. There has been some soldering at the power tubes' connections. I don't know what that could have been about. It is sloppy work, though.
Did you get my email? Please reply via email.

[MorganS]

I got the email but I can't email you back. Really strange Ive tried like 5 times. It says your email isn't found.

Anyway, I'm not going to go for the amp.

Morgan