Folkway Local Pickup Archives

1938 Gibson EH-150 Amplifier

The rounded-corner, 12″ speaker version of the Gibson EH-150, built between 1937 and 1941 is the amplifier most commonly associated with the Father of Electric Jazz Guitar, Charlie Christian. Christian made use of the EH-150 in both big band and nightclub settings, and the influence of this legendary amplifier’s tone on the evolving sound of Jazz and Bebop cannot be understated.

This amplifier is a very nice example of a 1938 Gibson EH-150. The original tweed covering presents well, while showing the typical signs of wear that are common on a vintage tweed amp. Staining in the amp’s tweed covering suggests ancient water damage; however, the cabinet is completely structurally sound and the amplifier functions as intended. The amplifier’s circuit is largely original apart from some replaced capacitors, including filter and signal caps, as part of general servicing. The original Gibson-branded “Ultrasonic Reproducer” speaker is in good shape and still has its original cone. All transformers are original.

This 1938 Gibson EH-150 sounds exactly the way you want it to and is surprisingly loud. Used on the Microphone channel, the amp overdrives with a creamy warmth and incredible harmonic content.

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Produced in New York City by the Multivox company for Sorkin Music from the late 1940s into the 1960s, Premier branded guitars and amplifiers featured unique and innovative designs with an era appropriate art-deco aesthetic. One distinguishing feature of several Premier amplifier models was the use of a speaker cabinet independent of the amplifier—a departure from many other manufacturers of the time. While the use of a separate amplifier and speaker cabinet was quite common among amplifier manufacturers in the 1960s and 1970s, it was a fairly uncommon feature in earlier years.

A rare amplifier that sat at the top of the Premier line, the 88N was intended for both guitar and accordion, with a 5 band pass-filter style EQ control to voice the amplifier for whichever instrument was run through it. With all switches activated so the amp is fully open, the 1951 Premier 88N delivers a full bodied and harmonically rich response that can be pushed to creamy drive tones as the volume is turned up. The 5 band EQ switches offer interesting and unique tonal combinations, with some incredible unique low-fi tones that would serve well in a studio setting. All of that said, the real magic with this amplifier is its tremolo. This is the trem circuit that all tremolos should be measured by. Difficult to put words to, but it’s safe to say that we totally understand why Ry Cooder and other tone aficionados choose to tour with one of these amps in tow.

The Premier 88N is a 6L6 powered amp with about 25 watts of power on offer. The cabinet features an original Jensen F12Q 12″ speaker. The amp is largely original apart from the typical components replaced during general servicing and an upgraded grounded power cable.

1951 Premier 88N vintage guitar amplifier

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A beautiful tweed amp from their golden era of amplifier production, this 1957 Fender Princeton 5F2-A boasts a beautifully age-darkened lacquered-tweed covering with minimal wear and tear. With its original handle, grille cloth, and hardware, all of which are nicely preserved, this amplifier presents wonderfully.

Among the finest sounding tweed Princetons that we’ve had come through our shop, this 1957 build delivers a truly remarkable voice that responds incredibly well to any pickup you could think to plug into it. With the volume at 3 and below, the amp delivers a rich and clean response that will give hints of a breakup with a hot humbucker or P-90 fed into the front end. As you roll the volume past 4 the amp begins to bloom with creamy and full-bodied drive tones.

This amplifier is largely original. A replaced output transformer and ’60s Jensen speaker make it a bit more affordable than one that’s unmodified.

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Among the more interesting amplifier offerings to have come through our shop in some time, this 1957 Gibson Maestro GA-45 Accordion amplifier is rare, unusual and exciting.

The Gibson-made GA-45 is a dual 6V6 Class A amplifier that shares similar circuitry to Gibson’s GA-40 Les Paul guitar amp. One key difference between the two models is the 4×10″ speaker configuration of the GA-45 as opposed to the single 12″ in an era-equivalent GA-40. Additionally, the GA-45 offers a wider range of tonal sculpting in the form of separate Bass and Treble controls.

While billed as an accordion amplifier, the GA-45 packs serious punch when paired with a guitar. Offering a warm and full voice with excellent clarity and strong low-midrange presence, this amp will make any guitar sit beautifully in a mix. Delivering harmonically rich and wonderfully creamy breakup tones at reasonable volumes, the GA-45 is an excellent amplifier for any rock or country setting and excels in lead guitar applications. The Tremolo on this amp is clean and clear and is well controlled with an excellent range of depth and speed.

Back at our shop with a clean bill of health after some general servicing by Toronto’s Dom Tantalo, this 1957 Gibson Maestro GA-45 amp is in perfect working order and ready for any stage, studio, or collection.

This amp is largely original and in overall excellent condition. The transformers, speakers, and circuit are original. The RCA preamp tubes in V1 and V2 are from the ’70s, but all other tubes are original RCAs with ’57 date codes. Filter caps have been updated and the original power cable has been replaced with a grounded one of modern spec.

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A reproduction of Marshall’s famous model 1962 “Bluesbreaker” combo – made famous by Eric Clapton and his recordings with John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers – this 1990 JTM Tremolo 50 features a 30 watt circuit, GZ34 rectifier, EL34 tubes, 5881 power tubes, and a pair of Celestion Greenback G12M 25 watt speakers. The amp is in excellent condition, appears completely original, and works perfectly.

There’s nothing that sounds like a Bluesbreaker. It is about as close as you can get to British overdrive heaven.

At about 65 lbs this amp isn’t going into a shipping box, sorry. Local sales only.

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The Fender Pro Reverb was introduced in June of 1965, and has the distinction of being the only model of Black-Panel amplifiers that wasn’t offered in the pre-CBS era. You won’t find a ‘Fender Electric Instruments’ Pro Reverb.

This example is incredibly clean and is in perfect condition. It’s just been serviced by Dom Tantalo (Filter, bias, and cathode bypass caps replaced, a few non-original tubes replaced with NOS versions, clean, test, etc), and it received his high praises. Tube chart date of April 1967; transformers all date mid 1966 to the first week of ’67. Both 12” speakers are original but their date codes are obscured by stickers.

About 35 watts, 6L6 power section; incredible clean headroom with a little bit of sizzle when you get past about 4 on the volume knob. One of Fender’s best sounding models, and an incredibly versatile amp.

With original cover and foot switch.

No shipping, sorry.

Folkway Music is a different kind of guitar store. Owing largely to the fact that its owner, Mark Stutman, has a relentless obsession for quality in every aspect of the store. Consequently, Folkway Music is wholeheartedly committed to offering our clients the absolute best. Our instrument quality and genuine care for our customer’s experience are unrivalled. Have a look at our client testimonials, they say it better than we can, without a doubt!

Still not quite ready to add this item to your cart? No problem. We believe that you should know exactly what the instrument you are interested in is all about… subsequently that involves conversation. We provide hands-on descriptions and demonstrations of our instruments over the phone. Additionally, if you find that you’d like to hear an audio sample or see detailed photos over and above what we display on our site, we’ll be happy to make it happen for you. We take care through the entire process to ensure that you will be satisfied when you receive your purchase. Learn More

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