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Gibson GA 15RV Goldtone
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All user reviews for the Gibson GA 15RV Goldtone

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  • janofdelftjanofdelft

    decades-long companion

    Gibson GA 15RV GoldtonePublished on 08/30/20 at 19:11
    I first played this thing's big brother, the GA-30 with the 12" and 10" speakers in the same cab. Religious experience. Too loud for my purposes, so I got the little guy in 2001. I've heard people debate the sound of the amp, but the best I can tell you is: AC-15 = 112, 15 Watts, EL 84s. GA-15 = 112, 15 Watts, EL 84s. As it plays out, they're certainly not identical, with the AC having a bit more jangle, but they are clearly related in tone.

    This amp is good for everything but high-gain shredding. I play a lot of blues, CCM, and classic rock. It cleans up great for country twang or warmer clean jazz. My wife says it's too loud in the house, and I rarely turn it up past 3 or 4 at …
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    I first played this thing's big brother, the GA-30 with the 12" and 10" speakers in the same cab. Religious experience. Too loud for my purposes, so I got the little guy in 2001. I've heard people debate the sound of the amp, but the best I can tell you is: AC-15 = 112, 15 Watts, EL 84s. GA-15 = 112, 15 Watts, EL 84s. As it plays out, they're certainly not identical, with the AC having a bit more jangle, but they are clearly related in tone.

    This amp is good for everything but high-gain shredding. I play a lot of blues, CCM, and classic rock. It cleans up great for country twang or warmer clean jazz. My wife says it's too loud in the house, and I rarely turn it up past 3 or 4 at home, even when switched to half power. Three knobs, volume, tone-ish, and reverb. The tone control actually bumps the mids when you roll off the treble. Best setup? Turn it up to where you can still clean it up with your guitar volume pot, hit it with an overdrive pedal when you want it to shout or sing a lead. It likes most pedals, but I tried to get some real shred going with a Metal Zone and was really disappointed. Good chime with single coils, good chunk with humbuckers. I like the amp. A lot. It's a keeper.

    Look for a later model: the earlier ones had transformer issues and plastic tube sockets. Since a class A circuit really heats up the tubes, that's a point of failure. The later ones made this side of the pond have ceramic tube sockets and a better cab. I don't have specific info on which serial numbers to look for. Mine is sometimes afflicted with some tube rattle at high volumes. An extension speaker works when re-tubing doesn't smooth it out. I have had the reverb (great sounding spring/tube driven tank) serviced three times in 19 years.

    Overall, it's a loud 15 watts, keeps up with live drummers, immediate expressive response, great voice.
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  • MGR/GregDMGR/GregD

    Gibson GA-15RV

    Gibson GA 15RV GoldtonePublished on 05/04/05 at 15:00
    Bought online at Musicians' Friend for $599 as a closeout of newlyt made (2005) amps.

    I love the way it looks - black with gold trim and grill. The tone is excellent; cleans are very distinct and wamr or crisp, your choice. The overdrive in 6W mode is excellent, but still too loud for naything but the bandstand. The amp loves pedals, too.

    Bottom-rear mounted controls are difficult to adjust, but then again you can just "set it and forget it" with this amp. you really need of them if you plan on using the amp
  • MGR/baheathMGR/baheath

    Gibson GA-15RV

    Gibson GA 15RV GoldtonePublished on 11/03/03 at 15:00
    Bought the unit used for 500.00 in Omaha, Nebraska at Schmidt Music. I play a lot of blues and this amp had GREAT tone.




    As I said, the amp has superb tone and the reverb is as good as any I've heard. Its also touch sensitive and really lets you be very expressive which is obviously very important with the Blues. Its also a very simply built without a lot of bells and whistles which could be a drawback for some. But if you're looking for great tone, its your amp. My overdrive pedal through it makes me want to smoke a cigarette it sounds so good. Don't let the 15 watts fool you either. Those are 15 class A tube watts! It can rock!!!

    Its a pricey amp but it is worth it. I just wish …
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    Bought the unit used for 500.00 in Omaha, Nebraska at Schmidt Music. I play a lot of blues and this amp had GREAT tone.




    As I said, the amp has superb tone and the reverb is as good as any I've heard. Its also touch sensitive and really lets you be very expressive which is obviously very important with the Blues. Its also a very simply built without a lot of bells and whistles which could be a drawback for some. But if you're looking for great tone, its your amp. My overdrive pedal through it makes me want to smoke a cigarette it sounds so good. Don't let the 15 watts fool you either. Those are 15 class A tube watts! It can rock!!!

    Its a pricey amp but it is worth it. I just wish they would include the pedal to turn off and on the reverb and not charge me an additional $30.00. I also wish the controls were easier to get to. Maybe on top as opposed to on the back. These are minor complaints and I otherwise love it.

    Very well constructed with a good "retro" feel to it. Its a bit heavy but all good things come with a price.

    If you crave tone and a no frills amp, this is your girl! It ain't fancy, but it will curl your toes because it sounds so good. If you can find a good used one I would snag it up! They are pricey but are worth it even at the new price if you got the cash. These will be classic amps someday and will be sought after.

    This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
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  • MGR/Daniel Parmeggiani GitlesenMGR/Daniel Parmeggiani Gitlesen

    Gibson GA-15RV

    Gibson GA 15RV GoldtonePublished on 10/06/02 at 15:00
    Bought it at a guitar store in Norway for 700$ wich was about 300 off. I Acquired it because i got 300 off.

    It has the most jaw-dropping, heavenly, borderlessly fantastic tone I have ever feasted my ears on. This must be what the inside of Mozart's head sounds like...

    It looks great, is well built and has this great smell after it's been cooking for a few minutes.

    For some insane reason i have this weird feeling that the handle is going to snap, even though i've never had any signs suggesting it might. Not that this should matter to you in any way...

    It's rather on the heavy side. 50 pounds perhaps.

    really good. I like that the serial number's been written by hand and you get the …
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    Bought it at a guitar store in Norway for 700$ wich was about 300 off. I Acquired it because i got 300 off.

    It has the most jaw-dropping, heavenly, borderlessly fantastic tone I have ever feasted my ears on. This must be what the inside of Mozart's head sounds like...

    It looks great, is well built and has this great smell after it's been cooking for a few minutes.

    For some insane reason i have this weird feeling that the handle is going to snap, even though i've never had any signs suggesting it might. Not that this should matter to you in any way...

    It's rather on the heavy side. 50 pounds perhaps.

    really good. I like that the serial number's been written by hand and you get the name of the one who's quality tested it...

    This amp has Tone, reverb, volume and a bright switch. If you're an FX buff you should probably stay away or use a lot f money on effect pedals or something. I just bought a multi effect pedal, but hey...

    If you're looking for tone, this is the perfect amp.

    This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
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  • smilingdavesmilingdave

    Gibson GA 15RV GoldtonePublished on 03/02/11 at 12:57
    (This content has been automatically translated from French)
    * What type of amplification (lamp, transistor ,...)?
    Lamp

    * What is the power delivered?
    Pentode / triode 15 / 7 watts class A

    * What connections?
    - Two Channel Hi / Low
    - No effects loops

    * What are the settings, effects? ...
    - A hi boost switch
    - Volume
    - Tone
    - A knob to mix the tube spring reverb
    - A switch power off / standby / on



    UTILIZATION

    * The configuration is simple?
    Yes

    * Gets it easy to sound good?
    Yes:
    - The tone is effective
    - The spring reverb is simple, dark

    * The manual is clear and sufficient? ...
    No manual


    SOUNDS

    * Will it fit your style of music?
    Yes, more versatile than a classic blues junior.moins typed peavey home but …
    Read more
    * What type of amplification (lamp, transistor ,...)?
    Lamp

    * What is the power delivered?
    Pentode / triode 15 / 7 watts class A

    * What connections?
    - Two Channel Hi / Low
    - No effects loops

    * What are the settings, effects? ...
    - A hi boost switch
    - Volume
    - Tone
    - A knob to mix the tube spring reverb
    - A switch power off / standby / on



    UTILIZATION

    * The configuration is simple?
    Yes

    * Gets it easy to sound good?
    Yes:
    - The tone is effective
    - The spring reverb is simple, dark

    * The manual is clear and sufficient? ...
    No manual


    SOUNDS

    * Will it fit your style of music?
    Yes, more versatile than a classic blues junior.moins typed peavey home but will not play on a flat band marshall

    * With what (s) guitar (s) / low (s) or effect (s) do you play?
    See gear list

    * What kind of sound you get and with what settings ("crystalline", "fat ",....)?
    His clear and crunch

    * What are the sounds you prefer, you hate?
    - All


    OVERALL OPINION

    * For how long have you been using it?
    10 years

    * What thing do you like most/least about it?
    Most all
    The no less

    * Did you try many other models before getting this one?
    Yes

    * What is your opinion about the value for the price?
    The best it is possible to find in the history of tube amplifiers.

    * Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice? ...
    This is my second. The first was stolen I have done eight hundred terminals at night to buy the second.
    I think so.
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