Well equipped for stage use, the GVT52-
112 sports two independent channels,
reverb, and a series effects loop that operates
on both channels. The 6L6-powered
amp also has a boost function that can
be activated on either channel. As with
the other models in the GVT line, the
GVT52-112 has a half-power setting on
the 3-way Standby switch. Toggle it up
from the center position for 50 watts,
and down from center for 25 watts. The
indicator light also changes from red to
green when the amp is taken off standby.
The channels can be selected via a
front-panel switch or with the included
two-button footswitch (which also turns
the boost on and off). With Channel 1
active, the GVT52-112 responds somewhat
like the GVT15H, offering good clean
tones at lower gain settings and morphing
easily into grind as you wick up the gain.
With more wattage on tap, however, the
GVT52-112 has greater clean headroom,
and is also much louder and punchier.
Adding some reverb to the clean channel
made the tones sound buoyant and
open, while turning up the ’verb with the
gain cranked past halfway and the Volume
control dimed yielded a cool surf sound
with a slicing edge. Using the Fuzz Face
on channel 1 further pushed the amp into
the kind of heavily saturated tones that
’70s-style rockers would dig.
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| All the GVT series amps feature rugged PCB construction. Here’s a peek inside the GVT15H. |
Designed to cover the span from hard
rock to shred, Channel 2 has a wide
gain range, lots of sustain, and good
dynamic sensitivity. Metal players might
be frustrated by the EQ’s inability to dial
into the “scooped” zone, though, and I
also found it difficult to tame a high-frequency
edge that was most noticeable
when the Gain knob was cranked to one
o’ clock or higher. A presence control to
attenuate treble in the power stage would
probably be helpful, though rolling the
Gain control down to a little below halfway
helped to subdue the top-end sizzle
while still providing a good amount of
sustain. Using the 25-watt setting also
allows you to push the amp harder to
take advantage of power tube distortion,
which enhances the harmonics and compression
as the 6L6s start to sweat. And
if you still need some extra oomph to
lift your lead above the mix, kicking on
the boost (which works on both channels)
jacks the gain and volume up significantly.
The GVT52-112 offers the most sonic
flexibility in the GVT line, and its abundant
power makes it well suited for live
gigs. If you’re looking for a channel-switching
50-watt combo that puts both classic-
and modern-style sounds under your
fingertips, you should give the GVT52-
112 a try.
More from this Roundup:
Ampeg GVT5-110, GVT15H, and GVT52-112
GVT5-110
GVT15H