The roots of Gibson go way back to Orville Gibson when he and other men founded the company in 1902. Gibson guitars were made with the Gibson logo starting in 1896 (for more information on Gibson electric guitars, refer to the Blue Book of Electric Guitars). Gibson amplifiers didn't come into the picture until the late 1930s, however. With the release of the first Gibson electric guitar, the ES-150, a guitar amplifier would be needed to make the new electric pickup useful. The first Gibson amplifiers were the EH series, which debuted in the late 1930s. With World War II going on in the early 1940s, Gibson amplifiers didn't really become a steady production item until circa 1948. Shipment totals from Gibson were first tracked on amplifiers starting in 1948. In 1948, all amplifier production was moved into the Kalamazoo factory and the first GA Series models were released. These popular models were produced in all shapes and sizes through 1967, when all production of amplifiers at the Kalamazoo plant halted. When Gibson bought Epiphone in 1957, they started to produce Epiphone amplifiers. Almost all Epiphone amps between 1957 and 1970 are copies of Gibson models (see Epiphone for more information and corresponding models). Gibson also introduced the Maestro brand on amps specifically designed for accordions (see Maestro).
Other companies started building amps for Gibson, and by 1968 a new line of tube amplifiers with some familiar old names were released. These lasted only a short time through 1969, when only various solid-state models were available. In the early 1970s, a new series was introduced called the G Series with some models featuring a phase shift. In 1977, the Lab Series was introduced (see Lab Series). These amps were designed by Moog, which was a division of Gibson's parent company, Norlin. These amps all have an L prefix and come in a variety of power and speaker configurations. The first Lab series was produced through the late 1970s, but was replaced by the Lab Series 2 in 1980 (also see Lab Series). These amps have a GA prefix for guitars and a B prefix for bass amps. In 1980, the Genesis series was released as well, which are amps that are targeted for practice and entry level models. These amps also have G and B prefixes for their guitar and bass models (see Genesis).
Another series of Gibson amplifiers appeared in the early 1990s, with the revival of the Lab series again. These amps featured a gold and orange cover and came in the Classic Gold, Gold Chorus, and GB 440 bass amp models. Currently Gibson produces a line of tube amps called the Goldtone Series.
Information courtesy Wallace Marx Jr., Gibson Amplifiers 1933-2008 - 75 Years of the Gold Tone, George Gruhn/Walter Carter, Gruhn's Guide to Vintage Guitars, Walter Carter, Gibson Guitars: 100 Years of an American Icon; Aspen Pittman, The Tube Amp Book "Deluxe Revised Edition," and Larry Meiners: Gibson Shipment Totals), and various Gibson catalogs.
Amplifiers currently produced since the early 1990s. Gibson previously produced amplifiers in Kalamazoo, MI from the mid-1930s-1967, and various other locations including Chicago, IL from 1968 through the mid-1970s. Distributed by the Gibson Guitar Corporation in Nashville, TN.

GIBSON Guitar Amplifiers Models

GIBSON EH-100 Image

GIBSON EH-100

- 8W, 1-8 in. (1936-37) or 1-10 in. (1937-1941) speaker, guitar combo, varying tube chassis, 6N7, 6C8, 6C5, & others for preamp, mainly 6V6 power, single channel, two inputs, no controls, black aeroplane cloth (1936-37), tan aeroplane c...

GIBSON DUO MEDALIST Image

GIBSON DUO MEDALIST

- 30W, 1-12 in. Jensen speaker, guitar combo, eight-tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 6EU7, 1 X 7025, 2 X 12AU7, power: 2 X 7591, solid-state rectifier, two channels (Normal and Reverb), reverb, tremolo, top silver/woodgrain control panel, four inp...

GIBSON G-10 Image

GIBSON G-10

- 10W, 1-10 in. speaker, solid-state chassis, single channel, tremolo, front black control panel, two inputs, five knobs (v, t, b, s, i), black vinyl covering, black grille, 20 in. wide, 15 in. tall, 8 in. deep, 16 lbs., mfg. 1972-75.

GIBSON GSS-50 Image

GIBSON GSS-50

- 50W, 2-10 in. speakers, guitar combo, solid state chassis (15 transistors, 10 diodes), two channels, reverb, tremolo, front silver control panel, four inputs (two per channel), 11 knobs (three red, eight black, Ch. 1: v, b, t, mid/presenc...

GIBSON BR-1 Image

GIBSON BR-1

- 15-18W, 1-12 in. speaker, guitar combo, six tube chassis, preamp: 1 X 6SJ7, 1 X 6SC7, 1 X 6SN7, power: 2 X 6L6, rectifier: 5U4, two channels, top-mounted chassis, rear cream control panel, three inputs (two instrument, one microphone), th...

GIBSON GA-5 LES PAUL JUNIOR (TGA-GA5) Image

GIBSON GA-5 LES PAUL JUNIOR (TGA-GA5)

- 5W, 1-8 in. speaker, guitar combo, three-tube chassis, preamp: 1 X 12AX7, 1 X ECC83, power: 1 X EL84 or 1 X 6BQ5, solid-state rectifier, single channel, rear control panel, two inputs, single volume knob, light brown covering, brown grill...

GIBSON GA-5 LES PAUL JUNIOR Image

GIBSON GA-5 LES PAUL JUNIOR

- 4W, 5 X 7 in. special oval type speaker (1954-56) or 1-8 in. round speaker (1957), three-tube chassis: preamp: 1 X 6SJ7, power: 1 X 6V6, rectifier: 5Y3, single channel, rear control panel, two inputs, single volume knob, earlier models ha...

GIBSON ATLAS IV Image

GIBSON ATLAS IV

- 50W, 1-15 in. speaker (Atlas IV) or optional Lansing speaker (Atlas IV-L), guitar/bass piggyback with separate head and cabinet, five-tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 6EU7, 1 X 6C4, power: 2 X 6L6, solid-state rectifier, single channel, two inpu...

GIBSON GA-80(T) VARI-TONE Image

GIBSON GA-80(T) VARI-TONE

- 25W, 1-15 in. Jensen speaker, guitar combo, seven-tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 12AX7, 2 X 5879, power: 2 X 6L6, rectifier: GZ34, two channels, top rear-mounted silver control panel, four inputs (two per channel), four black chicken head knob...

GIBSON GA-55 RANGER Image

GIBSON GA-55 RANGER

- 18W, 2-12 in. speakers, guitar combo, six-tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 12AY7, 1 X 6SC7, power: 2 X 6L6, rectifier: 5V4, two channels, top rear-mounted control panel, four inputs (two per channel), five knobs (Ch. 1 v, Ch. 2 v, b, t, power),...

GIBSON GA-25 Image

GIBSON GA-25

- 15W, 1-12 in. Jensen P12R and 1-8 in. speakers, guitar combo, six-tube chassis, preamp: 1 X 6SJ7, 2 X 6J5, power: 2 X 6V6GT, rectifier: 5Y3, single channel, bottom rear-mounted control panel, four inputs (three inst., one mic), two knobs...

GIBSON FALCON Image

GIBSON FALCON

- wattage unknown, 1-12 in. speaker, guitar combo, eight-tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 6EU7, 1 X 7025, 2 X 12AU7, power: 2 X 7591, solid-state rectifier, two channels, reverb, tremolo, front silver/woodgrain control panel, four inputs, nine kno...

GIBSON G-20 Image

GIBSON G-20

- 10W, 1-10 in. speaker, solid-state chassis, single channel, reverb, tremolo, front black control panel, two inputs, six knobs (v, t, b, r, s, i), black vinyl covering, black grille, 21 in. wide, 17 in. tall, 8 in. deep, 20 lbs., mfg. 1972...

GIBSON GSS-100 FIRST VERSION Image

GIBSON GSS-100 FIRST VERSION

- 100W, 4-10 in. speakers, guitar piggyback unit with a head and two separate horizontal speaker cabinets with 2-10 in. speakers in each one, solid state chassis (26 transistors, 9 diodes), two channels, reverb, tremolo, vibrato, front silv...

GIBSON BR-3 Image

GIBSON BR-3

- 12-15W, 1-12 in. speaker, guitar combo, six tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 7B4, 1 X 6J5, power: 2 X 6V6, rectifier: 5Z4, two channels, rear control panel, three inputs (two inst., one mic), three control knobs (inst. v, mic v, tone), round spe...

GIBSON GA-15 (TGA-BK15) Image

GIBSON GA-15 (TGA-BK15)

- 15W, 1-10 in. speaker combo, four-tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 12AX7, power: 2 X EL84, solid-state rectifier, single channel, rear-mounted control panel, single input, two gold knobs (v, tone), bright switch, external speaker jack, available...

GIBSON GA-5 SKYLARK (FIRST VERSION) Image

GIBSON GA-5 SKYLARK (FIRST VERSION)

- 4.5W, 1-8 in. Jensen speaker, three tube chassis: preamp: 1 X 7025, power: 1 X 6V6, rectifier: 5Y3, single channel, rear control panel, two instrument inputs, one volume control, light brown grained covering, gold grille fabric, 13.5 in....

GIBSON Atlas Medalist Image

GIBSON Atlas Medalist

- similar to the Atlas IV, except in combo combo configuration, 26.5 in. wide, 28.5 in. tall, 11.5 in. deep, 1,328 shipped, mfg. 1964-67.

GIBSON GA-83 STEREO VIBRATO Image

GIBSON GA-83 STEREO VIBRATO

- 36W (2 X 18W stereo), 4-8 in. and 1-12 in. Jensen speakers, 13-tube chassis, preamp: 4 X 12AX7, 1 X 12AU7, 3 X 6CG7, power: 4 X 6BQ5, rectifer: GZ34, two channels, stereo pitch shifting vibrato, top rear-mounted silver control panel, four...

GIBSON GA-55V Ranger Image

GIBSON GA-55V Ranger

- similar to the GA-55, except has vibrato circuit with a remote vibrato switch and control that plugged into the player's guitar, 473 shipped, mfg. 1954-58.

GIBSON GA-25RVT HAWK Image

GIBSON GA-25RVT HAWK

- approx. 15W, 1-15 in. speaker (early models) or 2-10 in. speakers (later models), guitar combo, eight-tube chassis, preamp: 4 X 6EU7, 1 X 12AU7, power: 2 X 6V6, rectifier: 5Y3, two channels, tremolo, reverb, top front control panel, four...

GIBSON EH-125 Image

GIBSON EH-125

- wattage unknown, 1-12 in. speaker, six tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 6SQ7, 1 X 6J5, power: 2 X 6V6, rectifier: 5Y3, three inputs (two instruments, one microphone), microphone volume control, round shouldered cabinet, brown aeroplane (1941-ear...

GIBSON HAWK Image

GIBSON HAWK

- 12W, 1-10 in. speaker, guitar combo, five-tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 7025, power: 2 X EL84 (6BQ5), solid-state rectifier, single channel, reverb, tremolo, front silver/woodgrain control panel, two inputs, four knobs (v, tone, tremolo, reve...

GIBSON G-30 Image

GIBSON G-30

- 15W, 1-12 in. speaker, guitar combo, solid-state chassis, single channel, reverb, tremolo, front black control panel, two inputs, six knobs (v, t, b, r, s, i), black vinyl covering, black grille, mfg. 1972-73.

GIBSON GA-15RV (TGA-BK15RV) Image

GIBSON GA-15RV (TGA-BK15RV)

- similar to the GA-15, except has 1-12 in. Celestion Vintage speaker, a reverb circuit with reverb control knob, and a triode/pentode switch, mfg. 1999-2004.

GIBSON MERCURY I Image

GIBSON MERCURY I

- 35W, 2-12 in. speakers, guitar piggyback unit with separate head and speaker cabinet, eight-tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 6EU7, 1 X 6C4, 1 X 6FQ7, power: 2 X 6L6, rectifier: 0A2, two channels, tremolo, 11 knobs (Ch. 1: v, b, m, t, tremolo dep...

GIBSON GA-85 Image

GIBSON GA-85

- 25W, 1-12 in. Jensen speaker, guitar combo with a removable chassis, six-tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 12AX7, 1 X 5V6, power: 2 X 5881, rectifier: 5V4, two channels, front silver control panel, four inputs (two per channel), six black chicken...

GIBSON GA-55RVT RANGER Image

GIBSON GA-55RVT RANGER

- approx. 35-40W, 4-10 in. speakers, guitar combo, nine-tube chassis, preamp: 4 X 6EU7, 1 X 12AU7, 1 X 6CG7, power: 2 X 6L6, rectifier: 0A2, two channels, reverb, tremolo, front white control panel, four inputs (two per channel), 12 black k...

GIBSON GA-30 Image

GIBSON GA-30

- 14W, 1-12 in. Jensen P12R and 1-8 in. Jensen speakers, guitar combo, six-tube chassis, preamp: 1 X 6SC7, 2 X 6SJ7, power: 2 X 6V6, rectifier: 5Y3, two channels, rear bottom control panel (1949-1954) or rear top control panel (1954-1961),...

GIBSON GA-5T Skylark (First Version) Image

GIBSON GA-5T Skylark (First Version)

- similar to the GA-5 Skylark except has built-in tremolo, five tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 6EU7, power: 6AQ7, rectifier: 6X4, and controls for tremolo speed and intensity, 4,464 shipped, mfg. 1960-62.

GIBSON BR-4 Image

GIBSON BR-4

- 14W, 1-12 in. speaker, guitar combo, six tube chassis, preamp: 1 X 6SJ7, 1 X 6SL7, 1 X 6SN7, power: 2 X 6V6, rectifier: 5Y3, two channels, bottom-mounted chassis, rear control panel, three inputs (two inst., one mic), three black control...

GIBSON Mercury II Image

GIBSON Mercury II

- similar to the Mercury I, except in piggyback configuration with 1-15 in. and 1-10 in. speakers (optional Lansing speakers), 709 shipped, mfg. 1963-67.

GIBSON EH-126 Image

GIBSON EH-126

- similar to the EH-125, except designed to operate on 6 volt DC power, five produced, mfg. 1941 only.

GIBSON GA-5 SKYLARK (SECOND VERSION) Image

GIBSON GA-5 SKYLARK (SECOND VERSION)

- 10W, 1-10 in. speaker, five tube chassis, preamp: 1 X 6EU7, 1 X 6C4, power: 2 X 6AQ5, rectifier: 6X4, single channel, front silver control panel, two inputs, two knobs (v, power switch), brown covering, brown grille, 19.5 in. wide, 15 in....

GIBSON GA-86 ENSEMBLE Image

GIBSON GA-86 ENSEMBLE

- 25W, 1-12 in. Jensen speaker, guitar combo with a removable chassis/control panel, six-tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 12AX7, 1 X 6V6, power: 2 X 5881, rectifier: 5AR4, two channels, front control panel, four inputs (two per channel), seven kno...

GIBSON MEDALIST 2/12 Image

GIBSON MEDALIST 2/12

- 60W, 2-12 in. speakers in a vertical cabinet, guitar combo, nine-tube chassis, two channels (Normal and Reverb), reverb, tremolo, top silver/woodgrain control panel, four inputs (two per channel), 12 knobs (Normal Ch.: v, t, m, b, Reverb...

GIBSON G-35 Image

GIBSON G-35

- 15W, 1-12 in. speaker, guitar combo, solid-state chassis, single channel, reverb, tremolo, front black control panel, two inputs, six knobs (v, t, b, r, s, i), black vinyl covering, black grille, optional footswitch, 22 in. wide, 19 in. t...

GIBSON BR-6 Image

GIBSON BR-6

- 8-10W (1946-47) or 12W (1948-1956), 1-10 in. speaker, five tube chassis, preamp: 1 X 6SL7 (1946-47) or 1 X 6SJ7 (1948-1956), 1 X 6SN7, power: 2 X 6V6, rectifier: 5Y3, single channel, bottom-mounted chassis, rear control panel, two (1946-4...

GIBSON GA-20RVT (TGA-GA20RVT) Image

GIBSON GA-20RVT (TGA-GA20RVT)

- 15W, 1-12 in. Eminence Legend speaker, guitar combo, seven-tube chassis, preamp: 5 X 12AX7, power: 2 X 6V6, solid-state rectifier, two channels, reverb, tremolo, front control panel, three inputs (two instrument with one per channel, one...

GIBSON GA-30RV Invader Image

GIBSON GA-30RV Invader

- similar to the GA-30 Invader, except has a reverb circuit with a seven-tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 6EU7, 1 X 12AU7, power: 2 X 6V6 power, rectifier: 5Y3, top mounted silver control panel, four inputs (two per channel), four black and silver...

GIBSON GSS-100HC Image

GIBSON GSS-100HC

- similar to the GSS-100 Second Version, except has two speaker cabinets with 2-12 in. speakers and 1-14 in. horn in each one, mfg. 1970 only.

GIBSON GA-60 HERCULES Image

GIBSON GA-60 HERCULES

- 25W, 1-15 in. speaker, bass combo, five-tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 6EU7, power: 2 X 7591, rectifier: 5AR4, single channel, top silver control panel, two inputs, three knobs (v, b, t), brown covering, light brown grille, 493 shipped, mfg. 1...

GIBSON GA-5T Skylark (Second Version) Image

GIBSON GA-5T Skylark (Second Version)

- similar to the GA-5 Skylark (Second Version) except has built in tremolo, five-tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 6EU7, power: 6AQ7, rectifier: 6X4, and controls for tremolo speed and intensity, 10,315 shipped, mfg. 1963-65.

GIBSON BR-9 Image

GIBSON BR-9

- 10W, 1-8 in. speaker, four-tube chassis, preamp: 1 X 6SN7, power: 2 X 6V6, rectifier: 5Y3, single channel, rear control panel, two inputs, one volume control, power switch, fuse cap, cabinet narrows at top, round speaker hole with multi-p...

GIBSON GA-30RVH (TGA-BK30RVH) Image

GIBSON GA-30RVH (TGA-BK30RVH)

- 30W, guitar head-unit, eight-tube chassis, preamp: 4 X 12AX7, power: 4 X EL84, solid-state rectifier, two channels, reverb, front brown control panel, single input, 12 gold knobs (Ch. 1: v, t, m, b, Ch. 2: g, level, t, m, b, r1, r2, MV),...

GIBSON MEDALIST 4/10 Image

GIBSON MEDALIST 4/10

- 60W, 4-10 in. speakers in a vertical cabinet, guitar combo, nine-tube chassis, two channels (Normal and Reverb), reverb, tremolo, top silver/woodgrain control panel, four inputs (two per channel), 12 knobs (Normal Ch.: v, t, m, b, Reverb...