❌SOLD❌ Gibson GA79RVT Stereo Amplifier, 1966

Here’s a Gibson GA79RVT Multi-Stereo combo amp, featuring two ten inch speakers in a wedge cabinet each powered by its own 15 watt amplifier. This model was introduced in 1960 as the GA-79 and upgraded with Reverb and Tremolo to the GA-79RVT in 1961, and the entire line was discontinued in 1967 when Gibson ceased amp production in Kalamazoo.

On this example, the two 10-inch CTS speakers on this Gibson GA79RVT bear dates of the 8th week of 1966 – late February, and the Tolex covering is black faux-gator with a naturally faded silver/grey grille cloth. The wedge cabinet design is reminiscent of the Watkins Dominator amp, which at 18 watts was a high powered monster in the 1950’s UK market. The GA-79RVT uses four 6BQ5 (EL84) power tubes, two for each power amp. The preamp section uses three 6EU7 tubes, and one each 7199 and 12AU7 tubes along with a solid-state rectifier.

The Gibson GA79RVT has a number of features relatively unusual for guitar amplifiers. There are four instrument inputs in two channel groups plus a fifth stereo input marked ‘Accordion’, and a mono/stereo slider switch. In the Stereo position, the two channels are routed to separate power amplifiers. In the Mono position, the signal is routed to both amps for a total of 30 watts. As well, the control panel carries a pair of RCA jacks as a phono or turntable input. Each of the two preamp channels has controls for volume, plus treble and bass on concentric pots. The Tremolo control is also concentric, for frequency and depth, while the Reverb control is solely intensity.

This Gibson GA79RVT amp has been recently serviced and appears original except for the important safety upgrade to a 3-conductor, grounded AC power cable. It is in quite good condition with most of the physical wear to the handle. The original footswitch for Reverb and Tremolo is included, and its special holder in the lower rear cover is intact.