Gibson Amplifiers Falcon 5 and Falcon 20 revealed
Is Gibson using the Mesa Boogie team to relaunch their amp range?
3,8 / 5,0 | 
Gibson Amplifiers are back for 2024 with the official launch today of the new Falcon 5 and Falcon 20 tube-driven combos. Made in Petaluma, California, by Randall Smith and his Mesa Boogie team.
UPDATE 16/01/24
Gibson has today unveiled its new line of guitar amps launching the Falcon 5 and Falcon 20 tube-driven combos to the new amplifier range. The Falcon 5, a 7-watt combo, and is equipped with a 10-inch Jensen Blackbird 40 speaker. Its bigger counterpart, the Falcon 20, is rated at 12 watts through a 12-inch Jensen Blackbird speaker.
Reverb & Tremolo
Both amp models come with tube-driven spring reverb, with the Falcon 20 also including an additional foot-switchable tremolo. The Falcon 20 has controls for Volume, Tone, and Reverb, along with Depth and Frequency for the tremolo circuit.
It also incorporates Mesa/Boogie’s innovative Multi-Watt technology, which makes these amps very flexible in terms of the output.
Class A
The Falcon 5 has a Class A amplifier, which mimics the features of the Falcon 20, minus the tremolo. It comes with a 6V6 power tube, which can be swapped for a 6L6 for extra power. The Falcon 20 also supports 6L6 tubes, increasing its maximum output to 15 watts.
Price
The Falcon 5 is priced at $1,499, and the Falcon 20 is $1,799. Gibson includes a slipcover with both amp models.
All new Gibson amps will be available from April 2024. The small Gibson Falcon 5 costs 1,899 euros at Thomann*. Then there is the Gibson Falcon 20 in the 1×12 combo at Thomann* for 2,299 euros. And there will be the Gibson Falcon 20 Combo with 2×12 for 2,799 euros at Thomann*.
What’s Next?
This looks like the beginning of a whole new range of guitar amps for Gibson, which could be a real winner for the guitar giant. They re-launched Maestro Electronics effects in 2022 and now they are going after making waves in the amp market in 2024.
Let us know what you think in the comments section below. Would you buy a Gibson amp built by Randall Smith’s Mesa Boogie team?
Gibson Amplifiers
Gibson Amplifiers is making a return in 2024, as hinted by CEO Cesar Gueikian back in 2021. The new launch page entitled Ready for Flight allows anyone to register their interest in this latest venture. I would say it looks as though the 1960s Gibson Falcon 20 is the model being teased.
At this time I can just make out the name and a few controls in the darkened image.
1960s Falcon 20
The Falcon 20 looks to be based on the original Gibson Falcon (GA-19RVT). The original was a 14-watt combo amp. It was first introduced back in 1961 and then discontinued in the late ’60s. The amp was tube-driven and had some pretty odd specifications. Those original tubes included a set of 6V6 power tubes, a trio of 6EU7 preamp tubes, and a 7199 tube for the built-in reverb. It came with a 12″ Jensen speaker as standard.
New Tubes?
I guess that Gibson will have to change the specifications. Because 6EU7 and 7199 tubes are not common. Production of old tubes could be a very expensive venture. Again, I am not convinced that Gibson would use the originals for a modern-day release.
Mesa Boogie
We know that Gibson purchased Mesa Boogie and therefore we can assume that Randall Smith and his amp team will be behind this new Gibson Amplifier series. Especially, as they named Smith their “Master Designer” at the time.
What could we see?
Currently, at the time of writing, I can only see a cream Tolex finish and the Falcon 20 logo. Along with an adjustable attenuation control which is marked Full, Half, and Low. Plus a mysterious Frequency dial, which could be just EQ or more likely Tremolo.
I will hazard a guess that no original 1960s Falcon 20 models have attenuation for the output. Certainly, I would say that this new 2024 Falcon 20 model must at least be inspired by those original ’60s models. However, they may not be exact copies of the original circuits.
We will update you with more information, as and when it becomes available, so watch this space.
More Information
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- Gibson Falcon Amps: Gibson
- Gibson Falcon Jenson: Gibson
- Gibson Falcon 20: InstagramGibson
- Gibson buys Mesa:Boogie. Cesar Gueikian, Randy Smith and James “JC” Curleigh: Gibson
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3 responses to “Gibson Amplifiers Falcon 5 and Falcon 20 revealed”
I have more amps than I’d ever need already, but very curious about these. I have a Mesa Lonestar that’s been running without a single issue for about 20 years. I really only care about clean tone, but I have a high opinion of Mesa overall. I imagine everyone will complain about cost, but aside from that, I do think there’s potential for great amps to come from a Mesa/Gibson collaboration. I look forward to learning more, anyway!
Had a falcon in 1965! Put screw in legs on it ! Was 3’ high😂Dont remember if i liked it or not! Bet it was ALOT less than the new one!
They at least could have added a FX-loop. But Gibson do gibson as per usual with their “historic” stuff..