Gibson Basses in The ’70s
Guitar enthusiasts have long heard that the 1970s were the “downer decade” for Fender and Gibson, both of which introduced a few duds and...
1905 Gibson F-2
In the opinion of most American mandolinists, Gibson brought mandolin design to a level of perfection in 1922, with the introduction of the Master...
Martin OM-18P Plectrum Guitar
While the most commonly played and collected Martin guitars have a six-string neck, the company has also made a number of historically noteworthy four-strings.
Beginning...
Epiphone’s Professional Guitar and Amp
Since the instrument was introduced, those who play the electric guitar have modified it to create new sounds and interesting effects. In the late...
Matchless DC-30
Preamp Tubes: One EF86, three 12AX7s (one for PI)
Output Tubes: Four EL84s in class A, cathode-bias.
Rectifier: GZ34
Controls: Channel 1 – Volume, Bass, Treble: Channel...
Gibson’s Earliest Dreadnought?
Gibson was a late entry into the flat-top guitar market, offering its first model in 1926, but Gibson was a pioneer in developing a...
1964 Fender Bassman
1964 Fender 6G6-B Bassman
Preamp tubes: four 7025 (12AX7 types)
Output tubes: two 5881 (a more-rugged 6L6 type), fixed-bias
Rectifier: solidstate
Controls: Bass Instrument channel: Volume, Treble, Bass;...
Valco El Grande
Preamp tube: one 6SL7
Output tube: one 6V6GT
Rectifier: 5Y3
Controls: Volume, Tone
Speaker: 8" Rola speaker
Output: 5 watts RMS
We dig old Valco-made amps wearing Supro, National,...
Six-Strings, 60 Years Ago
Had he survived to this day, Elvis Presley – cultural icon extraordinaire – would be 80 years old.
The man who would rise from very...
Hornby Skewes Zonk Machines
In 1965, fuzz was the “it” sound. Guitarists had recorded with fuzz before, of course, but after Keith Richards plugged into a Maestro Fuzz-Tone...