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1959 Gibson GA200 Rhythm King Tweed 2x12 Vintage Tube Amplifier Rare 6550 Tubes
Estimated price for orientation: 2 399 $
Category: Guitar Amplifiers
Class:
Description Brand: Gibson MPN: Does Not Apply Model: GA200 Rhythm King Country/Region of Manufacture: United States Exact Year: 1959 UPC: Does not apply
Up for sale, a 1959 Gibson GA200 Rhythm King 2x12 tube amplifier in excellent condition and in good working order. This is an extremely rare amp and one of the biggest and baddest combos ever produced by Gibson's Kalamazoo, MI factory in the company's heyday. Boasting original alnico 12" speakers, two channels and built in compression, this amp delivers a tone that is powerful, clear and very warm! The tone has great clarity at lower volumes, with cleans that twang and sparkle. The compression gives a bit more focus and snap to the tone, but it's surprisingly usable and doesn't overpower the dynamic range of this circuit. While the amp can get plenty loud, most of the volume is achieved before the amp starts to breakup, so the second half of the volume dial simply saturates the tubes for a thick, crunchy overdriven sound with rich harmonics and sizzling top end.
This chassis is a two-piece affair, with multi-pin umbilicals connecting the top mounted preamp and bottom mounted power amp. The transformers both date to 1959 and are stamped "GA400" presumably because the 200 and 400 Rhythm King circuits shared the same power amp. The power amp has been professionally recapped twice in its lifetime, with a pair of larger Sprague Atom caps from the '70s, and a few smaller and newer filter caps as well, likely installed in the last few years. The matched pair of RCA 6550 power tubes have large "coke bottle" glass bulbs, and perfectly compliment this circuit. A three-prong modern power cable has been installed, and the wiring between the speakers has been upgraded as well.The original speakers sound fantastic and appear to have their original cones, with 1959 date stamps on the "coffee can" alnico magnets. The original tweed is particularly clean and uniformly aged, with moderate ambering of the lacquer on the tweed and stock oxblood grillcloth. Sure, there are some scuffs and spots of wear on the tweed, and the original Gibson badge is missing from the face, but overall the amp presents very well and would look great in a studio. All of the original knobs are intact, as is the original luggage handle with the "Gibson" logo in the center.This amp is visually imposing and undeniably cool, with a real presence on stage and a unique range of available tones!
Please check out our shop "Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar" on the web, and feel free to call us directly with any questions at 206.399.8518.
Shipping in the continental USA will be by FedEx Ground and will be $125, fully insured. We use double thick boxes, 1" hard foam, and industrial 1/2" bubble wrap to assure that your item arrives safely. We will happily ship WORLDWIDE, but please contact us for an accurate international shipping quote before bidding or buying, as cost varies by buyer location.International orders will be declared as “merchandise,” and the value of merchandise will be declared as the amount paid. We cannot declare anything as a gift or for a lesser value. No exceptions! The customer is responsible for all taxes and duty, which may be collected upon delivery.We do our best to describe all items with honesty and accuracy, but to be sure, please contact us with any questions or concerns prior to bidding or buying. We require payment within 48 hours of auction end. In the unlikely event of a return, buyer pays all shipping costs. Your positive feedback and five star ratings are very important to us, and we appreciate your communication in resolving any issues!
Description
| Brand: | Gibson | MPN: | Does Not Apply |
| Model: | GA200 Rhythm King | Country/Region of Manufacture: | United States |
| Exact Year: | 1959 | UPC: | Does not apply |
Up for sale, a 1959 Gibson GA200 Rhythm King 2x12 tube amplifier in excellent condition and in good working order. This is an extremely rare amp and one of the biggest and baddest combos ever produced by Gibson's Kalamazoo, MI factory in the company's heyday. Boasting original alnico 12" speakers, two channels and built in compression, this amp delivers a tone that is powerful, clear and very warm! The tone has great clarity at lower volumes, with cleans that twang and sparkle. The compression gives a bit more focus and snap to the tone, but it's surprisingly usable and doesn't overpower the dynamic range of this circuit. While the amp can get plenty loud, most of the volume is achieved before the amp starts to breakup, so the second half of the volume dial simply saturates the tubes for a thick, crunchy overdriven sound with rich harmonics and sizzling top end.
This chassis is a two-piece affair, with multi-pin umbilicals connecting the top mounted preamp and bottom mounted power amp. The transformers both date to 1959 and are stamped "GA400" presumably because the 200 and 400 Rhythm King circuits shared the same power amp. The power amp has been professionally recapped twice in its lifetime, with a pair of larger Sprague Atom caps from the '70s, and a few smaller and newer filter caps as well, likely installed in the last few years. The matched pair of RCA 6550 power tubes have large "coke bottle" glass bulbs, and perfectly compliment this circuit. A three-prong modern power cable has been installed, and the wiring between the speakers has been upgraded as well.The original speakers sound fantastic and appear to have their original cones, with 1959 date stamps on the "coffee can" alnico magnets. The original tweed is particularly clean and uniformly aged, with moderate ambering of the lacquer on the tweed and stock oxblood grillcloth. Sure, there are some scuffs and spots of wear on the tweed, and the original Gibson badge is missing from the face, but overall the amp presents very well and would look great in a studio. All of the original knobs are intact, as is the original luggage handle with the "Gibson" logo in the center.This amp is visually imposing and undeniably cool, with a real presence on stage and a unique range of available tones!
This chassis is a two-piece affair, with multi-pin umbilicals connecting the top mounted preamp and bottom mounted power amp. The transformers both date to 1959 and are stamped "GA400" presumably because the 200 and 400 Rhythm King circuits shared the same power amp. The power amp has been professionally recapped twice in its lifetime, with a pair of larger Sprague Atom caps from the '70s, and a few smaller and newer filter caps as well, likely installed in the last few years. The matched pair of RCA 6550 power tubes have large "coke bottle" glass bulbs, and perfectly compliment this circuit. A three-prong modern power cable has been installed, and the wiring between the speakers has been upgraded as well.The original speakers sound fantastic and appear to have their original cones, with 1959 date stamps on the "coffee can" alnico magnets. The original tweed is particularly clean and uniformly aged, with moderate ambering of the lacquer on the tweed and stock oxblood grillcloth. Sure, there are some scuffs and spots of wear on the tweed, and the original Gibson badge is missing from the face, but overall the amp presents very well and would look great in a studio. All of the original knobs are intact, as is the original luggage handle with the "Gibson" logo in the center.This amp is visually imposing and undeniably cool, with a real presence on stage and a unique range of available tones!
Please check out our shop "Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar" on the web, and feel free to call us directly with any questions at 206.399.8518.
Shipping in the continental USA will be by FedEx Ground and will be $125, fully insured. We use double thick boxes, 1" hard foam, and industrial 1/2" bubble wrap to assure that your item arrives safely. We will happily ship WORLDWIDE, but please contact us for an accurate international shipping quote before bidding or buying, as cost varies by buyer location.International orders will be declared as “merchandise,” and the value of merchandise will be declared as the amount paid. We cannot declare anything as a gift or for a lesser value. No exceptions! The customer is responsible for all taxes and duty, which may be collected upon delivery.We do our best to describe all items with honesty and accuracy, but to be sure, please contact us with any questions or concerns prior to bidding or buying. We require payment within 48 hours of auction end. In the unlikely event of a return, buyer pays all shipping costs. Your positive feedback and five star ratings are very important to us, and we appreciate your communication in resolving any issues!
Shipping in the continental USA will be by FedEx Ground and will be $125, fully insured. We use double thick boxes, 1" hard foam, and industrial 1/2" bubble wrap to assure that your item arrives safely. We will happily ship WORLDWIDE, but please contact us for an accurate international shipping quote before bidding or buying, as cost varies by buyer location.International orders will be declared as “merchandise,” and the value of merchandise will be declared as the amount paid. We cannot declare anything as a gift or for a lesser value. No exceptions! The customer is responsible for all taxes and duty, which may be collected upon delivery.We do our best to describe all items with honesty and accuracy, but to be sure, please contact us with any questions or concerns prior to bidding or buying. We require payment within 48 hours of auction end. In the unlikely event of a return, buyer pays all shipping costs. Your positive feedback and five star ratings are very important to us, and we appreciate your communication in resolving any issues!