Valco, Supro, Silvertone, National. School me on some vintage "off brand" Amps!!!!

[phisher422]

Was looking to purchase one sometime in the near futue.

what I'm looking for is something small with a 6x9 or 8" speaker. 5 watts or less, simple controls (1 volume, 1 tone or less), and has a good amount of breakup very early. Also, the crazier it looks the better. What are some of your favorites, and what should I be looking into? So far the top contender is the Silvertone 1481, but I wanted to hear other peoples opinions before I started looking......

 

[dr.slide]

before you buy an old vintage amp....look at vintage47 amps built by david barnes....i love my suitcase amp...5w 8" speaker with simple controls

 

[Kurzman]

Be careful with some of the simple low wattage amps from the 50's/'60's. There are some transformerless models that are dangerous.
Someone with the tech knowledge can chime in with a better way of identifying these.

 

[nmiller]

The transformerless amps usually run on funky tubes like 50C5s; if it runs on a 6V6 or other conventional power tube you should be fine. Of course, it's really easy to look for the transformers as well.

 

[Tele Wacker]

Dang, don't we already have a thread about Valco amps?

 

[bobwl]

I'd stick to tubes that a readily available, and stay away from oval or non circular shaped speakers. If I remember right those have a tendency to blow pretty easily.

 

[Custom Deluxe]

before you buy an old vintage amp....look at vintage47 amps built by david barnes....i love my suitcase amp...5w 8" speaker with simple controls

I also have one of David's "Supro" Spectator amps. 5W, class A, octal pre-amp tube, and hemp 10" alnico speaker. The speaker is taking some time to break in. May run a CD player through it.

Anyway, I really dig it. PTP hand-wired, quality parts and made to a very high standard. Best of the old sound with new reliability. One of the best tweed jobs I've seen.

 

[Timbre Wolf]

All the amp names in this thread title emanated from one maker: Valco/Supro. Vintage 47 Amps makes excellent reproductions of some of those amp designs - I really enjoy my Bronson model, and can highly recommend them for both amps and service.

What Vintage 47 Amps doesn't make are the '60s Silvertone (Supro-made) amps. The new Tone King Falcon covers that turf, with a bit of Fender twist. And, speaking of Fender, they seem to have moved in this direction with their new Excelsior model.

- Thom

 

[nmiller]

What Vintage 47 Amps doesn't make are the '60s Silvertone (Supro-made) amps.

All Silvertone amps were built by Danelectro until about 1968; Valco built a few Silvertone guitars and steels, but no amps for the brand.

 

[Custom Deluxe]

All Silvertone amps were built by Danelectro until about 1968; Valco built a few Silvertone guitars and steels, but no amps for the brand.

Yep, even the early 50's Silvertones were still made by Danelectro in scenic Neptune City, NJ. Yeah, buddy!

 

[Timbre Wolf]

All Silvertone amps were built by Danelectro until about 1968; Valco built a few Silvertone guitars and steels, but no amps for the brand.

Sorry - mixed up Silvertone guitars made by both Danelectro and Valco, with Silvertone amps made solely by Danelectro. Thanks for the correction.

- T

 

[TravisE]

Find ye an Alamo model 3 and be done. They're super.

 

[Timbre Wolf]

Magnatone, anyone?

 

[bobwl]

Magnatone, anyone?

What I know about Magnatone is supposedly they are an amp tech's worst nightmare. Odd placements of components like the power supply on the bottom of the amp with tons of wire running everywhere. Very heavy. Supposedly finicky.

 

[TravisE]

What I know about Magnatone is supposedly they are an amp tech's worst nightmare. Odd placements of components like the power supply on the bottom of the amp with tons of wire running everywhere. Very heavy. Supposedly finicky.

But amazing tone.

 

[rybass]

I can't really school you on them but I have Silvertone 1481 that I really love. It has a nasty breakup that really inspires me. It's my favorite for blues/ garage/ slide goodness. It sounds fantastic with an octave fuzz as well.

 

[Custom Deluxe]

Find ye an Alamo model 3 and be done. They're super.

Yes, I have one. Thought of selling it, but then decided not to. They are really neat amps.

 

[LPVM]

Silvertone 1482, Danelectro's take on the Tweed Deluxe. Point to point wired, 15 watts, dual 6V6 powered, tube rectified, tube driven tremolo, 2 channels, 12" alnico speaker and serious mojo.

This...is what I'm talking about





Crunchy vintage tweed tone



Really nice cleans too

 

[Timbre Wolf]

Love the "cleans" on that last 1482 clip.

- T

 

[Prof.Fuzz]

My wall of Silvertones:

Top: Bumbox Supreme One. Silvertone 1482 circuit with 1 watt output. Weber 6x9 speaker. Trem.
Bottom Left: Silvertone 1481 rehoused by The Blues Box amps. Weber alnico Sig 12. All dirt, all the time.
Bottom Right: Silvertone 1482 rehoused by Bumbox Amps. Weber ceramic Sig 12 B. Later breakup. Big low end.

I run the 1481 and 1482 together with an ABY box. Great clean/dirty combo.
The Supreme One is perfect for recording and late night low volume playing.

I love my Silvertones!