Cheap Vintage Amp? 1960s Gibson Minuteman

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In this video Eric demos a 1960s era 20w Gibson Minuteman that was acquired used at a local big box retailer for the tune of $250. Now, the tremolo doesn't work but if you look hard these deals can be had for vintage pieces that won't break the bank and sound pretty respectable for the money. Stay tuned, much more on the way.
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[@EdHeinzelman]

this was my first amplifier back in 1965 and I gigged it for two years before moving over to a Vox Viscount.

[@michaelalfonso1070]

Thanks for the review you got skills! The phase inverter transformer needs to be replaced in my GA-20RVT. A friend (professional bass player and music store owner from the 70’s) told me a new solid state amp of played professionally, will only last 5 years. Vintage, all tube, point to point wired always for me. Replace the caps and tubes and it works. It helps that a have a friend who fixes tube amps, I have a 1940’s Gibson and Rickenbaucher, 3 inputs. That’s all you need for a small Coffee Shop gig. My friend who repairs all of my Tube Amps even made a modified Champ Head that I use the most. I mostly play with a professional sound system, so these amps are just for my monitor.

[@ksmithreps1]

Looking to add one of these to the collection...thanks for sharing!

[@davidcunetta4081]

So underrated!!! And I am a Fender fanboy.

[@OxaudioPhilly]

Just picked one up at a show for 300$. Reverbb didnt work but the tremelo does. Excited, it’s my first tube amp since playing for 24 years lol

[@markferguson3745]

Don't make excuses for the small Gibson combos,- sound just lovely to me.With the Vibe or the Fuzz? Nice.Decent clean as well.

[@richb.4374]

That amp jams Eric. You got a great deal.

[@bassprofishe1549]

Man I didn't realize who you were till your voice reminded me of Barry (RIP). I laughed so hard because your playing was so good I just never noticed.

[@seanhershey3390]

Thanks!...I just bought one yesterday..:) 10-12 watts

[@kebotrans]

You know I love that Tele- Ryan

[@coltonmozingo9894]

You have to have the original tube for the trem to work. I have mine switched out with an updated tube, but when I put the original in it works as intended

[@the_lancaster_libertarian]

Hey eric! I love the new channel. Could you comment on vox amplifiers? Specifically the ac4 1x12 combo?

[@williamdenkins2593]

Hi Eric very good guitar playing. I was wondering what you think of the prs se guitars? I know they aren't vintage but just wondering if you have looked at them.

[@andrewpearson1903]

My go-to amp is a modified Explorer from the same period. Not perfect, same rats' nest wiring and sounds a little plinky with single coils, but like you said, a good pedal platform with lots of headroom. (Bridge humbucker plus transparent overdrive at high amp volume equals fat and sassy tone.) The tremolo is so freaking juicy, whatever part of the circuit it's manipulating is exactly right, and you can prevent sympathetic resonance in the reverb tank by taking it out and placing it a couple feet behind the amp. Don't tell the professionals or the boomers, or they'll buy them all and stick them in storage units.

[@cjcj-up1bg]

I also wonder if some P90s could get that amp to naturally break up more. Sounds great though, perhaps aimed more the Gibson Jazz players.

[@jimhart4158]

Getting the trem to work again shouldn't be too hard of a job, the oscillators are fairly simple. Also, have you re-capped it? If you don't replace the old paper caps, you will melt the output tubes.

[@lloydluokkala4274]

You need to have the footswitch to plug in to turn the tremolo on. Only the reverb can work without the footswitch

[@fatman8x57]

The tremolo not working is most likely a dead electrolytic cap or possibly as simple as a tube. Should be a cheap repair Eric.

[@fatman8x57]

Michael Shipman I believe both Reverb and tremolo are controlled by V3 preamp tube. I would replace it and see if that corrects. If not it's most likely an internal capacitor.

[@therejected852]

what song were you playing in the intro?

[@dezionlion]

How do they compare to the silver face ones made just before those?

[@Jeffy2n]

Hi Erik, I know that you love the custom shop Fender, but a Gibson amp needs a Gibson Guitar. Please crank a Les Paul through that thing, it will overdrive it for sure.

[@asherterry7173]

how popular are wireless systems now days?

[@cjcj-up1bg]

Great amp potential. Has a nice sound, would like to hear with a Blues Driver/TS808 etc. Or even a Clean Power Boost. Thanks Eric.

[@andrewpearson1903]

My Explorer from the same years works really well with overdrive pedals, especially the EHX Soul Food.

[@philippefrater2000]

Yep! The first one to like the video! I did it!

[@pastorkev777]

Does this amp any sag or compression when not cranked or is it lots of uncompressed headroom? Also is it possible to get a slightly scooped clean sound?

[@andrewpearson1903]

My Gibson Explorer from the same years provides lots of uncompressed headroom, especially with the replacement Warehouse speaker. Lots of bass and treble too, I can't turn the bass above 3 before it becomes almost unusable.

[@philippefrater2000]

It actually sounds good! Cheap rocking Amp... For what it cost.

[@truthfulrobot9295]

Howd you get those pedals on the wall??

[@seanhershey3390]

velcro

[@williamdenkins2593]

I was also wondering were can we get a guitarsinal shirt.

[@mikejamieson419]

Sounds like a Peavey Bandit

[@scootergreen3]

Is the 1966 gibson GA15RVT explorer amp 12 watts Speaker Size: 1 x 10 the same way as far as wiring being a bird's nest of a mess, I'm thinking about getting one.

[@andrewpearson1903]

Definitely a bird's nest, maybe worse. My guitar tech wasn't fazed though, he ripped out its tone stack and replaced it with a Fender-ish one he built himself.

[@ryanthede4689]

I've got one of these. It needs a major tune up, though. I haven't used it in years, but if I remember right the speaker is blown and maybe the tremolo. I know the reverb doesn't work. Does anybody know if that's fixable?

[@dougakers7974]

Yes it can be fixed I am rebuilding one ATM

[@ryanthede4689]

@@dougakers7974 you should definitely put up a video on it

[@lorddalron3816]

Sick chicken pickin skills

[@GunslingerFW]

Are you iraqi war vet pawn shop channel guy?

[@Crouse_Property_Maintenance]

Eric vs. Mat Best: Tactical pistol, long range, guitar.

[@Iraqveteran8888]

Lol...yeah? Can he play?

[@Crouse_Property_Maintenance]

He busts out some SRV on the podcast occasionally.

[@philippefrater2000]

And comment it seems...

[@tracycurtright2671]

But does it go to 11?

[@seankagan5720]

Aren't you the guy from iraqveteran8888

[@doctoreff1]

REM? That sounded like My, My, Hey, Hey (Out Of The Blue) by Neil Young. They totally ripped him off on that.

[@leemurray4158]

That did not sound like Neil.

[@jman1428]

Gibson tried hard to make the worst sounding amp ever just like there guitars, but with some modding like the one i own, it is incredible loud as hell, great tone and wonderful power amp distortion, get rid of the tone sucking networks, recap, add a new tone stack.

[@earljohnson8851]

How did you do it?

[@orlfane1622]

You lost me at "the amp doesn't really break up"

[@fionncaomanac339]

It's some of the best breakup I've heard on a lunchbox amp.

[@calholli]

MAKE AN ALBUM ALREADY.. you fools.. why have you not../? ?/ You already have a built in audience.. Make an album. Please.