1940's Amp ID Help

[jbever]

I need help getting pointed in the right direction to ID this amp and date it. Lady that has it says it was purchased for her as a child in the '40's along with a National lap steel.

Thanks in advance for your help.
Jerry
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[JohnLochner]

Wild guess, a Valco with a new cab.

What tubes are in it?

[teleman1]

The metal brownish part with the volume knob reminds me of an Alamo. I don't think they were around in the 40's

[jbever]

I could not find any serial numbers or markings on it. Tubes are as follows:

5Y3, 6V6, 6SJ7, 6SF5

The lady said it is in original condition.

I can't find anything that looks like this in my searches.

[Rosewood]

I don't know but if you tilt your head to the right the grille looks like Bill Clinton.

[brad347]

If she bought it with a national steel then it's probably a national amp.

That's all I got.

I had an amp with a 6SF5 preamp stage once. That's a pretty cool tube.

[RedMan]

If it's 40's I would guess late 40's. Could be some kind of steel guitar amp.

[jbever]

She said it was bought as a package with a National lap steel. I've read where valco made amps for a lot of companies back then, often as "house brands." It just seems strange that there are no "identifiers" on the amp.

I've emailed Terry Dobbs who is supposed to know a lot about valco's. Hopefully, he'll be able to steer me in the right direction. Thanks
Jerry

[Buffaloamps]

Perhaps a Kay? There is one similar on ebay item # 300249367856

[jbever]

I saw that one. Thanks the closet I've found. The Kay's seem to have been the bare wood finished cabinets. I'm kind of thinking right now that it is a Kay. Not much historical info that I've found so far.

I think it's just strange that there are no identifiers on the amp what so ever?

Checked out your site. Congrats on your daughter's birth. What only one? I've got twin 8 yr old boys! I guess it was a two for one special!

Your amps look cool. I love the louvered look. I'll bet the BA-20 sounds good cranked just a little!

My brother and mom live in the Tyler/Bullard area, I think Tyler's a nice town.

Thanks for your input.
Jerry

[jbever]

Well I heard back from Terry Dobbs at Valcoamp.com. Here's his response FYI. Thanks for everyone for their research and observations. Looks like this will become a 1940's "Jane Doe" amp.

Hi Jerry,
That amp isn't a Valco, but looks to be perhaps an
old Kay Brand amp, made in Chicago by the same folks
who made many early jobber amps for different
companies in the early 40's. It is a sweet looking
amp, it will certainly need serviced as I can see the
Filter capacitor wire is loose inside, I think a fair
price would be $200 give or take, hope this is helpful
and best of luck, Terry.

[trisonic]

That chassis looks like the crappy "bent tin" one in my old Selmer "Little Giant" amp from about 1962 - I wonder if they are related? The Selmer does have a tone control, however.

Best, Pete.

[jbever]

The "bent tin" chassis is what I can't find on other 1940's amps.