A Near Mint 1954 Gibson GA-20 Crest 14 Watt Combo
One of the Cleanest "Cooder-izers" Extant

This is a near mint GA-20 Crest Combo which puts out a healthy 12-14 watts. Light brown tolex covered cabinet with two rectangular grill openings, G in center of grill crosspiece, Gibson name in black to upper right of grill and the original leather handle. Cabinet measurements: 20 inches wide x 16 1/2 inches high x 7 1/2 deep. Weight: 22 lbs.
One 12 inch Jensen Alnico 5 speaker stamped P12R C5496  220427 (July 1954).
Two channels with one 'microphone' and three 'instrument' inputs.
Top mounted chassis with six tubes: 2 x 6V6GT (output); 1 x 6SL7GT (phase splitter); 1 x CRC-6SJ7 VT-116 (pre-amp); 1 x 6SJ7 (pre-amp) and 1 x 5Y3GT rectifer (dated 2-52).
On/off switch; 2 amp fuse; 1 tone control; 2 volume controls. Potentiometers stamped 615 0689 305 (IRC, Feb 1953).

This amp is in near mint condition and still has the original power cord. The GA-20 is somewhat of a 'Jekyll and Hyde' - it can be very sweet but it can also turn quite 'nasty' (in a very nice way) when pushed… it is a truly spectacular little combo.

"The 1950 Gibson GA-20 was the first guitar amplifier to receive this new look. The cabinet was covered in brown leatherette "accented by a gold medallion".

Gibson produced several amps in the 1950s specifically to go with their Les Paul Model which had been introduced in 1952. The largest was the GA-40 (40 watts) - the next best alternative was the GA-20…

The GA-20 is somewhat of a 'Jekyll and Hyde' - it can be very sweet but it can also turn quite 'nasty' (in a nice way) when pushed…

"Although the Gibson company is primarily known for it's fine guitars, the Gibson amp pre-dates anything made by Fender or Marshall. The Gibson amps go way back and there have been some really interesting models…" The GA-20 is known as the "Cooder-izer" - apparently it is one of Ry Cooder's favorite amps. Legend has it that Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top also uses a GA-20.