1958 Gibson GA-5 Narrow Panel

The Gibson GA-5 rolled out in 1954 as the companion amp for the Les Paul Junior. This simple, low-powered Class A amplifier was intended as a student model. It was a departure from the earlier Gibson designs, and it was very similar to the 5C1 Fender Champ, but the GA-5 came it a smaller box with Gibson stylings. As the Fender Champ evolved in the '50s, the GA-5 followed suit. When the narrow-panel Fender 5F1 featured an updated 12AX7 preamp tube in 1955, the GA-5 replaced its 6SJ7 preamp tube with a 12AX7. By 1957, the GA-5 cabinet design matched that narrow-panel look, but instead of tweed covering, Gibson used cream tolex. Much like a good 5F1, this circa-1958 Gibson GA-5 produces smooth,compressed overdrive at lower volumes. Once you get past ~11:00, it gets into breakup territory, especially with powerful pickups, and it cleans up nicely with your volume knob. In many ways, this GA-5 is everything you could want from a good Champ, and the Gibson style makes it more fun.  This '58