Guild Thunder I Tube Amp and 1980 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe Movie

[Hoverfinger]

I stopped into a local store today and they had a Guild Thunder 1 for sale for $125. I didn't have time to play it, but it's been on my mind. Very good shape.

What do you think- worth the $125?

[shadesofcraig]

@Hoverfinger Yeah definitely if it is in good working condition, I have seen them on eBay for between $400 and $600 bucks...

[Hoverfinger]

@shadesofcraig

Picked it up yesterday for $125, I couldn't resist. Has a microphonic tube I believe (some crackling and buzzing), but it's in excellent all-original condition.

And it sounds great! Much more bass and character than comes through on YouTube. The tremolo is gorgeous. I'll get a 3-prong plug and a new ceramic speaker and a once-over by a tech.

I like this better than a Fender Champ. More complex tone, and larger sounding. Must be the 10" speaker.

Thanks for the advice!

[shadesofcraig]

@Hoverfinger There are what is called Electrolytic Capacitors that are in that amp that need to be replaced, don't use it till it is done. Once in awhile they can explode and ruin an amp. Mine has crackling in it too, I have all the original tubes, but changed them all, even the hard to find ones. I really have to have mine gone over by a tech too, but I think it is a great amp and love the tremolo too. Congrats man you got a great amp for a great price I think.

[ploukusa]

Thanks for the demo! Which speaker setup does your Guild have? I´ve noticed there´s at least a 1x10" & 2x12" versions floating around with the same model name...

[shadesofcraig]

@ploukusa If I remember right it is a single 12 inch speaker... Also some have reverb and some have tremolo, mine has tremolo, wish it had reverb instead but what can you do. :)

[adam79adam79]

are you playing on the normal setting, or is the volume knob pulled to bright?

[adam79adam79]

does the amp still have the original guild tubes, or have you swapped them out?

[shadesofcraig]

I did put in all new tubes but I held on to the old ones and honestly I don't notice any difference... I might put the old ones back in. It still needs some work and some caps replaced but I haven't had the time.

[shadesofcraig]

I think you can see where I pull the knob to go to bright but then you can't hear the tremolo so I turn it back off, if I remember right... Was a while ago when I did this.

[buzzbuzzerd]

I have a 1967 Guild Thunder 1 that my dad bought for me in 1976, I took it out the other day, it has developed a hum that comes and goes, after seeing your video I've decided to send it to the shop for repair, these are great sounding amps. Thanks...............MB

[pezman1963]

Thunder I a really great clean sounding amp.

It was made like tube radio so it stays clean.

Much different from Fender tube.

I had a Thunder 1 reverb. It dissappeared with a repairman.

[shadesofcraig]

Dude I am sorry to hear that, that sucks. I wish this had reverb but my Boss GT-5 has reverb on it so, no big deal. I love this amp, still have a little more work to do on it, but it is coming along nicely I think.

[95andrew95lewis]

my dad had one and he gave it to me but now it i try to use it, every so often, it will shock me through my guitar. any suggestions?

[shadesofcraig]

Is the outlet you are using grounded?

[95andrew95lewis]

no.

[shadesofcraig]

Try grounding the outlet and see if that doesn't fix your problem.

[soundgardener75]

When you get the time, can you play the Firebird on this Guild? It would be great to hear all the sounds, and with the tremolo engaged!

[econgblues626]

nice tone bro! good playing too.

[guitarnoob77]

sounds great  man keep it up!

[rlta04]

Sounds good man.

[mrmojo797]

Very nice, Craig. Sweet sound.

-- bluesman44

[soundgardener75]

Very nice Craig!

Plugged straight up, it's got a nice gutsy raunch to it. Tremolo engaged, it's so warm and just smooth, totally what one would expect from a tube design, unlike the tremolo you'd hear from a pedal.

Looking forward to more clips!

[monwobobbo]

nice blues sound its a keeper for sure