Robben Ford Discussion

FoolforBlues · Newbie Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 1

Anybody hear any of the Gibson Goldtone amps, they're awesone?

I've got a GA15-RV that I'm nuts over. It's class A, 15 watts Pentode mode and 6 Watts Triode mode. Tone to die for, I play a '57 reissue gold top Les Paul through it.

I'm interested in any comments.

Thanks....

Fool

bek · Member Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 22 Location: California

They're gorgeous and I always wanted to play one. I was never in a position to play or buy one. I didn't realize they switched like that. Does anyone make one that will switch even lower? Maybe 10 watts/2watts? My Marshall is killing me; I can rarely turn it up loud enough to get into the tone zone (although it is incredible when I can!).

Buzzy · Member Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 16 Location: NYNY

I have the GA30RV with the 12 and 10 Celestions. Class A 30w. Absolute killer tone. The 5 way switch lets you mix the clean and dirty channel. I can use that to get a clean sound with some hair. Think 69 Rolling Stones. It can also go from sparkling chimey clean over to great sounding dirt. I use a 57 Goldtop and it sounds awesome with this amp. Like I said, this is a killer amp. Since it's 30w, I can crank it and not get my face ripped off.
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JT

jazzyblues · Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 6:30 pm Post subject:

I bought a Goldtone GA15RV a few months ago. I waited about 2 months to get it, and when it arrived, the tone sounded like it was coming out of a tin can.
I sent it back. But there was somehting obviously wrong with the amp.
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Buzzy · Member Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 16 Location: NYNY

I ordered a GA30RV from Musicians Friend. It arrived smashed. UPS wasn't very gentle with it. It made a loud screeching sound when I turned it on, yikes, the handle was smashed and the reverb tank was ripped from the bottom of the cabinet. I sent it back to them and ordered the same amp from Music 123. I never delt with them before as they seem more geard toward marching bands Confused

but they did have a GA30RV in stock. It arrived safe and sound a few days after I ordered it by Fedex and it is in perfect condition. I'm totally happy with it. Try Music 123, if you haven't already. They have a 45 day return. Who knows, maybe you got a dud.

Another thing that you can do is call one of the "Goldtone" dealers listed on the Gibson site. Talk to someone who knows the amp or can play it over the phone for you. Maybe that amp doesn't have the sound you are looking for.
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JT

jazzyblues · Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2004 7:44 am Post subject:

I got the Goldtone from someone directly from Gibson. He first of all sent it to the wrong state (I'm in CA). And 2 months later when it arived, the sound was really bad. From all the reviews I've heard, I know something was wrong with it.
In fact, when the guy received it back, it wasn't working at all.
But I just sent my Bassman head to Andy Fuchs. So I can't afford another Goldtone....at this point anyway.
But later on I'd like to try one that actually works.
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Buzzy · Member Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 16 Location: NYNY

Sounds like you did get a dud. I'm surprised they didn't offer to send you a replacement. It might have gotten that way due to rough shipping, like the first one I got.

Keep your eyes open on Ebay, you might find one there. Good luck.
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JT

jazzyblues · Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 7:09 am Post subject:

Yeah, I think it was all the shipping and rough handling from UPS. I too thought they would have offered to replace it. But they didn't. They just said "Send it back." So I did.
It will be a while before I can afford another one. I just paid to have a mod done to my Bassman, and I bought a guitar.
But if I can find a good used on on eBay for a decent price later on, then I might try it again.
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jazzyblues · Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2004 8:47 am Post subject:

Well, I found a Goldtone GA15RV on eBay in new condition. It was used only once. And the price was right, so I got it.
Now we'll see how THIS one sounds. I'll let you know. Very Happy

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jazzyblues · Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2004 10:57 am Post subject:

Update:
I got the Goldtone GA15RV. It was advertised on eBay as in new condition, but it needs work, so I'm sending it back.
However, as far as tone, to me it sounds exactly like my old Peavey Classic 50 410 in which I had Weber speakers - only smaller.
Good tone.
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Buzzy · Member Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 16 Location: NYNY

Good to hear that you like the tone. Too bad it has issues. It's good thing you can send it back. Well, keep looking, you'll run across a winner. Like I said my GA30 is a killer amp and it's a keeper. I would have also got the GA15, but I have a 94 Matchless that fits that gap quite nicley.
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JT

jazzyblues · Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 4:08 pm Post subject:

Actually, I found what the problem was, and my amp tech said he'll fix it and go through the whole amp to make sure everything is working properly for $30. And the guy who sold me the amp reimbursed me $100 because of the problem.
So I'm keeping the amp. Very Happy

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Buzzy · Member Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 16 Location: NYNY

Cool! That worked out OK. Like I said, my GA30 is a keeper. Hope your GA15 is too.
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JT

UncleSalty · Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 6:37 am Post subject:

I was casually looking around on the Net about Goldtone amps because I was thinking about getting one this year. I've noticed that they've been removed from the list of products at my favourite Japanese store, Zzounds doesn't list them and Musicians 'Friend' has a very abbreviated list of their products. One of the specified dealers at the Goldtone amps site doesn't list them either. Are they perhaps no more? Anybody know anything?

Buzzy · Member Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Posts: 16 Location: NYNY

I ordered the GA30RV from Musicians Friend in August. It arrived damaged so I returned it. The MF Customer Service Rep said to me at that time, they had ten in stock, but I cancelled the order. I looked at their site now, and they don't have any. They only have the GA15RV. I checked Music 123, which is where I got my GA30RV in September, and they don't have any listed. They have a GA15, and a GA60.

Kelly industries seems to have some of these amps listed http://www.kellyindustries.com/guitars/gibson_amps.html
I never delt with them before, but they have more listed than anyone else.

Yes, I agree with you that these are hard to find for some reason.
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JT