OVERVIEW
Congratulations on your new Gibson Falcon 5™, and welcome to the Gibson Brands Family! This amplifier traces
its roots back to the 1960s and a magical time in the company’s history when many classics were created in
both the guitar and amplifier domains, among them the 20-watt Gibson Falcon and 5-watt Gibson Skylark. The
Falcon 5 is a recreation of the Skylark with the addition of tube spring Reverb and some tonal enhancements and
design upgrades by Randall Smith and the MESA/Boogie Design Team for better sonic versatility and more robust
constructional quality. This often-overlooked vintage icon has been resurrected and improved, thanks to the vast
experience and expertise the Boogie Team has garnered over their five decades creating high-performance tube
amplifiers.
The original Skylark is a classic with a voice and flavor all its own, and for vintage Skylark fans, that character is
well preserved here. However, even Skylark aficionados will appreciate the improved attack characteristics, low-
end definition, and better tracking we’ve brought to this Falcon 5 interpretation, especially when driven toward
clip. Once there, these new attributes only enhance the story and make some of the Falcon’s coolest overdriven
power sounds even better.
For those players that like the Skylark’s unique cathodyne driver pushing the power section into max clip, fear not;
these enhancements embellish that experience, too, leaving the “controlled implosion” intact and as expressive
as ever. For those needing a less driven sound, the single TONE control provides a surprising array of colors to
create evocative jazz, blues, classic, and alternative rock sounds.
The (Multi-Watt) Power switch is a Falcon upgrade you’ll appreciate that allows two distinct Class A wattage
options, each with their own character: FULL running Pentode for maximum power and dynamic sensitivity (at
7 watts/6V6), LOW for reduced power (at 3 watts/6V6) and a warmer clip for the lowest wattage, lowest volume
applications.
Add to that the ability to swap in a bigger 6L6 power tube with no changes of any kind needed for a bit of additional
power (8w/4w with 6L6), midrange punch and focus, and a bolder voice, and you have a vintage amplifier truly
reimagined!
All-tube analog spring Reverb rounds the edges and adds dimensional character to an already great array of
sounds. Anything from subtle enhancement up to full-on surf levels of lush spring Reverb is possible and greatly
enhances the enjoyment of this vintage-voiced amplifier.
We take great pride in resurrecting and revitalizing the Skylark’s sound and feel here in the Falcon 5, as well as
the Gibson amplifier line and its legacy, and we hope you enjoy the results of our hard work. They deliver and
even outperform these classics’ original voice and texture and are designed to bring you years of great tone and
inspiration.
Let’s review some helpful hints that may make your initial sessions with the Falcon more enjoyable.
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