Line 6 Pilot's Handbook manual Explorer based on a 1960 Gibson Explorer

The Amps & Cabs • Explorer – based on a 1960 Gibson Explorer

Explorer – based on a 1960 Gibson Explorer

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This Amp Model is based on a 1960 Gibson Model GA-18T Explorer (little brother to the Gibson “Les Paul” GA40T).

The particular amp we modeled originally belonged to the father of one of the high school buddies of Line 6’s Artist Relations guru, Tim Godwin. It was sitting in a crawlspace for years, until Tim happened to ask his friend if he still had the amp, and whether he was interested in selling it. When Tim finally got his hands on it, the amp still had the original Gibson branded tubes in it!

Some time passed, and Tim brought his little treasure into the office one day. Once a few of us played through it, we cried out as one voice, “We’ve got to model this one!”

Working from codes found on the pots and speaker, we were able to date this amp’s build to the week of May 21, 1960. 14 watts, with a 10-inch Jensen speaker, the amp runs Class A with 6SJ7 preamp tubes, 6V6 Power tubes, and a 5Y3 rectifier—just in case you were interested.

The Cabinet Model is based on the Gibson and its 10-inch Jensen Blue Bell.

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