Just bought a Gibson Skylark GA-5T

[JRS11]

It was on ebay but I called the shop that is selling it on consignment and was able to negotiate a price.

Overall it looks great, really great. The handles may need to be restored or replaced, all else looks good. Think it may be all original except the change power plug.

So it is a Skylark GA-5t as above. The serial is A01---27. Not sure if this is enough for you to help on dating, they say '60's. Has tremelo, volume and treble and bass.

I tried to find a way to date it but was unable to find anything. Any help appreciated on that and what it is worth is excellent condition, maybe VG+.

Further research shows it is a 65-66, has SS rectifier. Now I am wondering if this will be a drawback and if I should stop it from shipping....

Thanks
JRS

[Resonator Guy]

Post a picture or two and the manufacturer code on the speaker.

[Justin Thomas]

+1. Also any transformer/capacitor/pot codes, if you're willing to do harmless slightly invasive surgery - only requires a screwdriver, usually.

Justin

[JRS11]

Here is a link. After reading all I could find I see it is a white panel 65 or 66. Has a SS rectifier as I amended the post above, not sure if this is a good or not so good thing, reading indicated the earlier ones are more preferable. Here is the ebay link.
It is not in my possession at this time, wondering if I should stop the shipping of it. From all I read the SS rectifier may not be the best for tone on these little amps.. I am not well versed in this so do not know.My last great vintage amp was a Princeton Reverb, '65.... never should have sold that one.

Vintage 1960's Gibson GA5T Skylark Guitar Amplifier w Tremolo Single Footswitch | eBay

[Resonator Guy]

I doubt you could stop the shipping now but a SS rectifier doesn't make much tonal difference if it is stock. If somebody modded it, that's anybody's guess. Marx says these were equipped with a 6x4 rectifier, but Gibson is known to make changes on a whim. If stock, that would put it late in the cycle to me. I really like Gibson amps, have about 15, but this is definitely not like a Princeton Reverb.

[davohilts]

jrs11, I have two amps like yours, one a gibson the other an epiphone. They both use a drive transformer, 2-6bq5 power tubes, a 6c4 and a 6eu7. Gibson made tons of different circuits all called GA5 or GA5t's and the White Panel version you have just bought is a real winner in my book. I just had an issue on my rebuild with the tube socket on the 6C4 making a crackle and my power tubes biased using the spec'd 150 ohm 5 watt cathode resistor was way too hot, coming in at over 10 watts per tube. I used a larger value resistor (measured at 184 ohm) to lower the bias to 8.4 watts/tube.
I also added a virtual centertap, using 2-100 ohm resistors off the heater legs I tied them together and ran them into the B+ side of the cathode resistor off the power tubes. The amp is very quiet and the tremolo is very very good.
I recommend replacing the power resistors and electrolytics and adding a grounded power cord and removing the death cap.
Save the original speaker and install a nice low wattage alnico, you won't believe how good the amp will sound.
Happy soldering!
Dave

[JRS11]

Thanks Resonator Guy. It was not shipped yet, just talked to my amp guy who says he could make it better depending on where it is but it sounds like it is not the right amp for me, maybe if it was no a white panel..

[JRS11]

I would not do any of the work myself, unlike you folks I am not good enough to ever think of trying this. I thank you for all of your feedback.. Maybe just pick up a peavy Classic and let my guy do a couple of mods on it, I know if I want to sell one it will not be hard...