Gibson GA 20 RVT

The Gibson GA 20 RVT is a reissue tube amplifier that aims to recreate a vintage vibe. The amp is just 15 watts, but it's all tube power and has two 6V6 power tubes to go along with 5 12AX7 tubes. It's got a single 12" speaker and two channels to work with. It also has built in tremolo and reverb effects just like the vintage Fender amps that this is somewhat modeled after. The amp has 1/4" connections in the front for your inputs for each of the two channels, as well as one for mixing of the two, which is cool and something I've not really seen on other amps. It's also got handles on the top for easier moving.

UTILIZATION

The general make up of the Gibson GA 20 RVT is pretty straight forward but it does have a good amount of controls to work with. Channel one has knobs for just volume, treble, and bass, while the second channel has the same but also has an added mid band EQ and reverb. Lastly, there are speed and depth controls for the tremolo effect. This is a pretty basic make up for a 'vintage' tube amplifier, so those familiar with other models will feel right at home.

SOUNDS

I have to say that I was a bit underwhelmed when I first heard the Gibson GA 20 RVT as I guess I was expecting a bit more from it. While it's not a bad sounding amplifier, it just doesn't live up to the standard of what I thought it would be. I guess it was too much to think it would be like a vintage Fender amp, but being that it gives off that vibe, it's not too unrealistic. Don't get me wrong, it's a good sounding amp, it's just not great.

OVERALL OPINION

Although they've stopped making the reissue of the Gibson GA 20 RVT, you can still get one if you're interested in it. I don't know how it compares to the originals from the 1960's, but apparently the originals aren't great either. While the GA20 RVT is a solid amplifier, for what it is claiming to be, I think you can find amps out there of a similar make up that are better in the same price range...