Is The Gibson Falcon 5 Watt Better than the 20 Watt?
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- Опубліковано 13 лют 2024
- Jonathan and Sean checkout the other smaller Falcon Amp from Gibson. Is this the one you should get, sometimes smaller might be better!
Vintage Tone… Reimagined!
Gibson is proud to introduce the new Falcon 5 1x10 Combo amplifier. It pays homage to Gibson’s legendary past as one of the world’s first manufacturers of electric guitar amplifiers. While inspired by the iconic Gibson Skylark amps from the 1950s and 1960s, this all-new design from renowned amp pioneer Randall Smith and the MESA/Boogie Design Team is handcrafted in Petaluma, California, and delivers vintage tone, reimagined and sets a new bar in tiny amp tone. The Falcon 5 is equipped with all the constructional upgrades and tonal improvements unearthed over Randall’s five decades of tube-amp design that deliver nothing less than astonishing results.
The Falcon 5 features single-channel simplicity with a focus on great tone and ease of use. The ultra-simple, pure signal path design has controls consisting of Volume and Tone, plus the addition of Reverb - an uncommon but welcome feature on a tube amp in this compact size and wattage class, adds dimensionality and immensely increases the amp’s enjoyment and usefulness over a wide range of musical styles.
Players in the know have long understood that one of the secrets to great overdriven tone is power amp overdrive, and lower-powered amps are key to turning up and achieving that cranked power amp sound without overwhelming volume levels. The Gibson Falcon 5 1x10 Combo is ideal for those demanding touch-sensitive, nuanced response at the low end of the gain and power spectrum, with a harmonically rich blend of vintage power-amp overdrive when turned up. All this vintage-flavored magic is brought to life via the unique mid-enhanced voice from a 10” Jensen® Blackbird 40 Alnico speaker, which perfectly complements the volume range and single-ended Class A power section. The power section is enhanced with a built-in Power Attenuator, allowing players to choose between Full and Low power settings, providing even more ways to transition in and out of clip seamlessly and musically and making the Falcon 5 an ideal amp for intimate gigs, home practice, and recording purposes. With its modern refinements, high-end performance, and boutique construction, the Falcon 5 is a vintage amp dream delivered with a sturdy, consistent modern design ethos.
Handcrafted in Petaluma, California
All-Tube Amplifier: 1x 6V6 (or 6L6) Power Tube / 3x 12AX7 Preamp Tubes
Single-Ended, Pure Class A Power
Wattage Select Switch - Choose from Full Power (approximately 7 watts) or Low Power (approx. 3 watts) with stock 6V6 Power Tube (approx. 8 watts / 4 watts with optional 6L6 Power Tube)
Cathode Biased, Maintenance-Free
Single Channel Simplicity - Channel Features: Normal & Low (Cleaner) Inputs, Volume, Tone, & Reverb Controls
All-Tube Spring Reverb
Monitor (Slave) DI Output - Fixed Attenuated from the Speaker Output
Polished Stainless Steel Control Faceplate
Aluminum Chassis
Slip Cover Included
10” Jensen Blackbird 40 Alnico Speaker - Розваги
Both these amps do seem to sound excellent, but the issue with the construction seem to be related to the price point. People are dissing it because it is priced at a point where you are expecting something else than tubes on a PCB.
yep
Very nice! I especially like the guitar Jonathan is playing. I've been waiting for a video that featured this Les Paul custom.
That handle, might actually be the most gorgeous combo amp handle I've ever seen..... I would absolutely buy this amp based solely on that information. Nobody who pays that much attention to the handle, would then phone it in on the rest... I would assume... I really dig the way these amps look and the vibe theyre going for with um!
Much respect for a few of the amp repair channels out there. Mostly over my head, yet I continue to watch in awe of their knowledge. Even when I saw a similar amp to my 95 Mesa boogie DC5 get raked over the coals. I still have, play the amp and watch their channel. I think it’s good to educate, it’s the you should feel stupid about buying that delivery, (insert topic here) that gets old but we know it gets clicks. The reality is hard working engineers and builders are out there designing technology for guitars, cars whatever, that continues to evolve into the future. I admire those people. We need more of them. I couldn’t do that. They are not the bad guys in the planet, and it’s ok if someone buys something because that works for their situation. I like hearing different perspectives to help in making a choice. Thank you engineers, casino and the amp repair guys for putting it out there. It’s not easy but we all love this shit.
I think this is worth a second separate comment... the video and audio quality for these videos is OUTSTANDING!
Great slide playing!
Slide playing sounds so good.
12:50 what a beautiful Wine Red Les Paul Studio! ;)
Great slide playing Jonathan!
That amp sure sounds good. Nice slide playing, Johnny.
I have two comments - Jonathan’s slide playing gets me every-fuggin-time. Damn, that is tasty like a hangover burrito. And a big shoutout, for what it’s worth, to the Big D - the last few videos have been edited quite well, it’s apparent he’s learning a lot - looking back at some of the older videos, there is a huge difference in production quality. Unless he’s not doing them anymore, in which case I will STFU and see myself out. Thanks for the great content, gentlemen! 🤙🏽😁🏖️
Well said Lefty!
Nice playing Jonathan
I always say it but Johnny's got that 'tude when he plays slide!!! Sounds great man!
Jonathan: you ought to check out the Black Crowes cover of Oh Sweet Nothin. Cuz damn if you weren't channeling Rich Robinson.
Johnathan goes down swinging. Awesome!
Cool addition to the amp market! I think I still prefer Magnatone.
4:48 I agree, I used to have an original Roland JC-77 and I liked playing that way more than the JC-120 because the 2x10's in the 77 sounded great. I think more guitar amps should use 10 or even 8 inch speakers over 12's. It just tightens up the sound.
I got a mojotone 2x10 for my '67 bandmaster and it sounds great loaded with jensen alnicos, all that characteristic fender sparkle and chime and no muddiness, but it doesn't sound paper thin either
I’d like to see someone do a home / bedroom versus small venue like a bar comparison with a small amp.
great video...played the 20 and was impressed!! i feel the 5 may be a kool practiceamp...figure it has very low head room:)
I’m a big fan of Casino Guitars, you guys always have great insight into the world of gear and the manufacturers. So the “elephant in the room” question is why the push with these Gibson amps? Is Gibson promising you their guitar business if you sell enough of them? Our local music store has already had 2 returned for noise issues. When the warranty has expired you’ll be needing an amp tech. Nice playing Johnathan! I have been admiring that guitar for some time.
Sounds great
Looks great, sounds good, spring reverb, Jensen speaker, super low wattage option for bedroom play, manufactured by Mesa...this seems to be a very high quality amp no matter what the keyboard critics are saying. And since none of us are dragging the amp out on tour with the Chili Peppers, it might just be that special little rock amp that does exactly what most of us weekend warriors are looking for. Nice playing Jonathan!
I went back and forth I think you are correct. Built in the US has reel tube spring reverb. If you're going to buy one you better do it now I can see these going up. Another amp for my procrastination list.
I think 40w is a good number. BUT! I’m really happy with my 100w. In certain venues I’ll put my pedalboard case in front of the amp. I do have a drive channel and master volumes. I still use pedals for overdrive.
I returned the Falcon 20 because of the fan. Even my spouse, who doesn’t know gear, said, “what is that noise?”
From what I have heard of them, I think they sound great! I have a small 5 watt champ clone that I love BUT it doesn't have tube powered reverb like these Gibson amps! I plan on getting one! Thanks guys!
Falcon 20 is a 12 watt amp. Also, given the very low quality construction and high price of these, I would purchase neither.
Cascading gain fixes the premise of "this amp isn't "on" until a certain dB" and it's always better to have more headroom. The way the amp responds to the guitar and pushes the speakers is fundamentally affected at every dB by the transformers. Bigger iron = bigger tone.
Johnathan great playing!!!
Is it true that They soldered the tubes into the board no sockets??
You 100% can remove the tubes and change them or else they wouldn't advertise the wattage can be changed by the type of tube. I'm assuming what you're asking here is if the sockets are directly on the PCB, which is true when someone opened the amp for the 12ax7s. Every tube in that amp can be removed. The criticism it takes is that the sockets are mounted directly to the PCB and enclosed which some believe might cause heat issues.
sockets soldered to the board, pain to replace the socket if needed years down the road
Its a cheapo amp stay away.
@@theuserthatishereMight as well get a blues junior or hot rod deluxe for half the price if it's gonna be landfill fodder anyway
@@stringlocker at 1400 what?????? Might be cheap to you but my ac15 a got for 400 im sure will blow this amp away on quality and sound.
Just remember (especially if writing titles for videos, the Falcon 5 is not 5 watts, and the Falcon 20 is not 20 watts.
Low Wattage is where it's at, for me, these days. I have a 40W Marshall DSL 401 Combo that I can't turn up past 3 or 4 at practice or at a gig; a 40W Traynor YCV40WR Combo (Think: Hot Rod Deluxe) that sounds totally killer but can't turn it up either. I think I've gotten my best tone out of my 15W Class A Traynor YCV20WR Combo... because you have to gain it up and turn up the volume to cut through, and you can actually achieve some breakup with it without deafening everybody.
Insert shameless plug for Traynor Amps - if you haven't tried them... you should. Made in Canada. Built like a Tank. Top quality components, Great Tone. I think Traynor amps are criminally overlooked and under-rated!
Agree - I have a YCV20WR and it's a great little amp. Mine is nearly 20 years old now, and still bulletproof. The only work it has needed was a tube replacement a couple of years ago, and I just replaced a blown speaker. I did notice that they've roughly doubled in price since I bought mine. Still less than the Gibson 20, similar construction (PCB with tube sockets mounted to the PCB). as far as criticism over PCB's go... they allow the manufacturer to make a more consistent product. That's not a bad thing. I like those Gibson amps, if I had the $$ for one I'd get it, probably the 20 because of the additional power scaling and tremolo (maybe a made in China Epiphone version will come out sometime??)
A Two Notes Torpedo is far cheaper than a new amp with power scaling.
@@jasonkrupp2326you probably need to go back to the 90s to get a PCB amp where the valve sockets are mounted to the chassis. My 1970s JMP combo is constructed like this.
Of course 5 watts is better. In fact, there's an entire WORLD dedicated to that concept.
Nice! FWW 🤘🏻
It's not 5 watts, it's 7 watts.
@@johnbriggs3916 Tell that to Casino Guitars.
@@jltremI have done in a separate comment.
Baxter, that Mesa Gold Silver Sky has a home. Let destiny play out.
I like lower wattage tube amps. To my ears, Bassbreaker 7 sounds better that the 15, the AC10 better than the AC15, and the Slash Marshall SL 5 is one of the best Marshall sounds you can get!
Excellent tone and playing.
If Gibson added the name "Falcon" it should be at least close to the original.
PCB mounted componts on a 5W $1k amp? You might as well buy a vintage GA-8 or even a Champ....
Simply, not a amp made to last or maintained for decades.
PCB boards are not made for maintenance but replacement.
My GA-8 is about 70yo and still running.
Appreciate y'all
yep, and it's not even a quality board like toneking
Yea its a joke to me. The original is cheaper lmao
My Marshall JMP 2104 is 48 years old. The components are PCB mounted but the valves and big PSU capacitors are chassis mounted.
The only thing that needs fixing right now is the power switch. Otherwise, it's still going strong.
I heard it! "Sometimes smaller is better" & I laughed because THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!!!!!! 😂🤣😆
It’s a pocket fisherman! It won’t last long!
What shade of tolex? Fools gold ?? 😂😂😂
Sad to see you selling these.
Y' know what I mean?
Why do they call it Falcon 20, when it is only 12W?
Why do they call it a Falcon 5 when it is 7 watts?
I thought the 5 was 7 watts and the 20 was 12 watts? Am confused. 🤔
No, you’re right.
Isnt the falcon 20 a 7 watt amp?
No. The Falcon 5 is a 7 watt amp. The Falcon 20 is (I think) a 12 watt amp.
I’m really digging the sound of these amps but I’m also hearing so much negativity about them as well 😑
I’d hate to buy it and have an issue a year later.
It might not be a year but when it does break you cant fix em because theyre built so cheaply
Right. @@Airhead348
Wait a year or two and buy one used.
Guitar players blow my mind. "This amp sounds fantastic" and then they open it and "It's junk". What happened to using your ears like guitar players always claim they do? Don't get it twisted though. I get having something that can be moved around and take a beating does matter. For instance, I know little about the internals of amps but I do know that your pots connected to a PCB can make a relatively simple repair much more expensive. I guess what I'm saying here is I see both sides. It just bugs me when people back track on the sound of something because of what's inside. So much for that guitarist super sonic hearing, eh? At least if someone says "It sounds amazing, but might not hold up", I could respect that opinion.
Same thing happened with Marshall this year. Someone discovered they were using Vietnam transformers in the JCM800s and now all of a sudden the reissues don't sound the same, despite it taking almost a year for anyone to find it. The same irony can be applied that the transformers in the Studio Vintage line (which is pretty acclaimed) for years and no one said a thing.
Awesome demo as always. Jonathan killing that slide. That's a "hoss" move Jonathan. 😆
100% !! I would be super happy having a good time just cranking one of these for a gig and if it makes me smile then it does its job. I dont think most of the people complaining even gig anyway
The two statements are perfectly compatible: one refers to the sound, the other refers to its construction (and hence longevity and repairability.)
To everyone complaining about the build quality or price. You know these will still last you possibly decades of gigging even if you do so every week. Most of yall dont even really play out anyway so this thing will still be in mint condition by the time you sell it 10 years later. Besides this, it sounds fucking good and id happily take the little 5 watt on gigs. I use a 5 watt currently for grit on max volume and a 20 watt for extra headroom in stereo. It sounds huge once it runs through a PA. Cant beat it
If the “20watt” was actually 20 watts maybe 😂😂😂
Jonathan was spawned by Skynyrd
oh, these guys have all seen the inside, (panel off, 4 screws ), but not on camera and they are being less than honest, when they remark, they didn’t think it necessary…… particularly when they knew of the accusations of poor design………they just want Gibson happy…..my .02
Don’t take the back off Jon.
I have a sweet H&K Grand Meister that’s great. Don’t take off valves that you might not know if they’re any good. .
Soz. H&K GMD40 ? 0, 1,5,20 power soaks then full 40W.
Effects on board, need a midi foot switch
You had me til 10:06 but sorry you’re rambling. It’s a shit amp. Sorry. Just being honest.
Please don’t stock it in your shop guys.
Thx
As a follow up to my previous comment ?
Not for me.
But a good promo platform for better amps to come don’t ya think?
$500 amp with a $1500 name?
Regardless of how it’s built, at that price point you can have almost any single ended single tube amp you want, only some well known boutique hand built models are more, and not by much.
I’m doubtful the Gibson is as good as other amps at that price. I really like my Marshall DSL5CR that I got just before they doubled in price. They’re still less expensive than the Gibson and tube reverb aside probably sounds as good; mine has a speaker upgrade.
I wonder if this Gibson is loud enough, with the 6L6, to compete with a drummer?
That's like asking which tastes better, dog poop or cat poop. They're both garbage. I wouldn't give you $100 for both of them. Enjoy having to open the chassis to change a preamp tube. Which will probably void your warranty. Gibson must hate their customers.
Not cool guys. We do care whats inside i dont want a 1400 dollar blue doodoo. I got my ac15 for 400 i bet its made better than that amp but you didnt open it up to see how cheaply its made.
Typical of Gibson, very hefty price tags on those amps.
A good sounding amp doesn't mean its a well built amp. Im sure they built these 5 Watters no better than the 20. With that said its your money at the end of the day. Id grab the Magnatone 5 watt Starlite all day over this 5 watt Falcon.
It's 7 watts.
@johnbriggs3916 the 2 watt discrepancy is meaningless
@@alexwoolridge94aw I think you should look up the meaning of "meaningless" 😉
@@johnbriggs3916 not really
Great got 2 ads before the 1:20 mark.
Not an amp for me.
Normally I’d watch all your videos so no.
IMHO ? Overpriced buy something else for the $$$
Ptr
Look inside. The cheapest parts available. Poor layout. Why doesn't any one look inside? This is a super cheap amp, should be about $ 200 new.
I completely understand why people take issue with the design of this amp’s circuit. However, people just keep getting crazier and crazier with their “it should be this price” prices. You would be lucky if you could buy the four tubes in this amp for $100 and the speaker is another $100-200.
Depends