Ampeg amp?

[Pete Martin]

Has anyone tried a 60’s Ampeg, specifically a Gemini VI with a steel?

Before I played steel I had a Gemini VI that was my all time fav for 5 string electric mandolin. I sold it as I wasn’t giging electrically and it took up a large space in my music room. I have been recently gigging electrically again and there is one for sale about 75 miles away. Been thinking of giving it a go.

Any opinions would be welcome. I’d be using it with the same electric mandolin and a 56 D8 Stringmaster.

Thanks!

Pete

[Bob Carlucci]

You won't like it for steel.. Those are very cool amps, and very well built- that entire Gemini/Reverborocket series from the 60's... They tend to sound tubby and dull for pedal steel.. Just not the right voice.. Also way underpowered.. I owned several of them and fooled around with them with steel but a plain old fender makes them look silly sound wise when it comes to ue with a pedal steel.. Many years ago I had a very nice Gemini 6 with the 15, and used it on stage.. Sounded ugly with pedal steel, with an unpleasant distortion, and a thick 'tubby' tone that just did not fit... Buy the amp if you like them and its a good deal, but it is NOT a pedal steel amp.. There is a reason why you see very very few old Ampegs in pro back lines... bob

[Bob Carlucci]

sorry, I re read your post.. I thought you were considering it as a pedal steel amp... Lap steel?.. electric mando??.. Might work ok for those I imagine... However, I can think of several amps that would be as good or better that are cheaper and easier to move around, and sound better.. The G6 is a tanker to move around !

If its a solid deal, and you are nostalgic, why not buy it just to have it around and enjoy it? Still would not be my first choice as a gigging amp.. Simply too many more practical choices,,, The old Ampegs are great old amps, but in modern reality as a gigging amp, they are dinosaurs that have had their day... bob

[Jack Hanson]

Ampegs in general?

Electric guitar: Awesome.
Mouth harp: Very good.
Lap steel: Hard to beat.
Pedal steel: Tolerable for low volume practice by yourself, weak for band practice, out of the question for gigging.

Just my opinion. I've owned a B-12XT since the late '60s, and I love it. Built like a tank, sounds like a million bucks, but it's a bear to haul around, and difficult (and expensive) to find replacement tubes. But it looks too cool for school with its flip-top (Portaflex) head, and that dark-blue checked tolex. Ampegs were outstanding old amps when they built 'em in Jersey. However, I'd be a tad leery of the newer Chinese models (especially after the tariffs kick in).