A true Gibson vintage icon deserving of resurrection and elevation, the new 5-watt Gibson Falcon 5 pays homage to the original Gibson Skylark and is sure to set a new bar in tiny amp tone. That said, there is nothing tiny about this little birds tone and performance! Here again is “vintage tone, reimagined” with all the same upgrades and tonal improvements earned from MESA’s five decades of tube-amp design that deliver nothing less than astonishing results. In some ways, the Falcon 5 is most impressive simply due to its tiny stature, yet GIANT sonic footprint!
Gibson Falcon 5 Tube Combo Amplifier Features
- Designed by Legendary Amp Designer, Randall Smith
- All-Tube Amplifier
- Power Select Switch – Choose from: Full (7-Watts) or Low Power (3-Watts) via built-in Power Attenuator
- Stock 6V6 Power Tubes (8-Watts or 4-Watts with optional 6L6 Power Tubes)
- Cathode Biased
- Single Channel Simplicity
- Channel features: Normal & Low (Cleaner) Inputs, Volume, Tone & Reverb Controls
- All-Tube Spring Reverb
- Monitor DI Output – Fixed Attenuated from the Speaker Output
- Slipcover
- 10” Jensen Blackbird ALNICO Speakers
The ultra-simple VOLUME and TONE control layout and demure top panel speak loudly for the genre and target audience. The addition of Reverb to this model takes nothing away from that simplicity and only adds immensely to the amp’s enjoyment and usefulness over a wide range of musical styles and environments.
The Single Ended Class A power section transitions in and out of clip seamlessly and musically yet is also impressive for “almost cleans” and traditional sounds. All this magic is enhanced by a 10” version of the Jensen Blackbird Alnico speaker and together they are so identifiable and rewarding, some players may end up wanting both the Gibson Falcon 20 and Falcon 5 for their different voices, clip characteristics and volume ranges.
As with the Falcon 20, those demanding touch sensitive, nuanced response at the low end of the gain spectrum and a harmonically rich wall of vintage power overdrive at the top of it, yet here with a unique mid-enhanced voice from the 10” format that perfectly compliment both the volume range and the single ended power section, the Falcon 5 is the little bird to call for.