Gibson GA-90 Amp

Bill Black using GA-90 with Elvis in Ottawa - Apr 3, 1957
Photo by Newton © Ottawa Archives courtesy Paul Sweeney

For the most part Bill used a Fender Bassman amp to record and on tour with Elvis.  However, on the spring tour of 1957 which include dates in St. Louis, Fort Wayne, Detroit, Buffalo, Toronto, Ottawa and Philadelphia, he used a Gibson GA-90 amplifier.  It's not known if it was his or just rented for the tour.

1954 ad for the Gibson EB-1 bass and GA-90 amp
courtesy Vintage Guitars and Basses

Page 26 of the 1958 Gibson Catalog
courtesy Vintage Guitars and Basses

This model GA-90 was introduced by Gibson in 1954. It is a 30 watt amplifier with 6 Jensen 8J11 speakers.  For tubes it used: 5V4, 2x5881, 6SN7s, 5879s and 12AU7.  The cabinet design at least changed after 1958.

1957 Gibson GA-90 Amp like the one used by Bill Black in 1957
Photo courtesy the  Harmonica Masterclass Company

1957 Gibson GA-90 Amp like the one used by Bill Black in 1957
Photo courtesy the  Harmonica Masterclass Company

Scotty, DJ, Elvis and Bill with the GA-90 in Philadelphia - April 1957
Photo courtesy David English

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