This is Ray’s 1960 Gibsonette GA-8, one of the last 2 years for the Gibsonette. In the 1950s, the suffix “-ette” was considered the height of cool; kitchenette, bachelorette, leatherette, etc. But by 1961, the “-ette” suffix was considered too feminine for the majority of American Male guitar players. Instead, the space race had begun, and every product was named for the space age – Atom, Discoverer, Explorer, Rocket, Orbit, etc. Guitars and amps were especially hard hit. Also cars (Rocket V8).
Production of the GA-8 Gibsonette started in 1952 (tweed) and stopped in 1961 when Gibson changed the name to Discoverer. The cool name would persist until 1965.
The circuit was unusual for the time – it is a dual single-ended Class A amp with two 6V6GT tubes making a reported total of 10 Watts. Electrically this is not unlike having two single ended Fender Champ power sections in parallel. With white Tolex and oxblood grill, this amp appears to be all original, and in good shape for its age.
The tubes in this amp, including the 12AX7, are labeled “Gibson” (probably RCA or Raytheon) and are likely original to the amp. These 62 year old tubes all tested good. The output tubes are well matched.
The 10” Jensen 10J11 AlNiCo speaker is marked 220013, which is the 13th week of 1960 (the end of March 1960).
The two original wax-potted multi-section Astron filter capacitors were burned and melted. Some or all of the capacitor sections had shorted to ground. Here’s a photo of the melty, burny, results:
The dead capacitors (top) were replaced with new, black F&T caps (lower).
The 2-conductor power cord was replaced with a three-conductor 18 gauge cord with separate ground. The line (120VAC) side runs to the fuse and then the ON/OFF switch; the neutral connects to one side of the primary of the power transformer. The ground is connected separately to the chassis, near the power entrance. The cord has a strain relief.
The output tubes’ 20 uF cathode bypass capacitor was replaced with a Sprague 25 uF/50V.
The “Death Cap” was removed from the circuit. (Read about Death Caps here.)
The #2 input resistor was broken away from the jack and was repaired.
The jacks and sockets were cleaned.
BIAS: 223 Ohms was the measured resistance of the cathode resistor. Plate voltage was 322 VDC. This equates to a current of 36 mA per tube, which equals 11.6 Watts/tube, or a total power dissipation for the amp of 23 Watts.
The amp is very loud for its size. It distorts beautifully above 4 on the volume control. The tone control works very well. Similar to Fender amps of the period, the #2 input has reduced gain.
This is a very fine and desirable amp. If you can find one, they sell for $1,000 to $1,500.
The dual single-ended distortion is harmonically rich. This results in a rich and thick overdrive unlike any other low-wattage amp of the period. Arguably the best tone of all the Gibson amps, the GA-8 is a gem.
