toomuchfun
Tele-Afflicted
Over the past 45 years I have come across a number of amps, learned how to work on them and currently have a stack of around 25 from '54 to recent. With fall coming I can put some away in closets and not worry about humidity. I found I have 6 tube amps made in 1965. Three being Fender they have similar sounds but the size makes a difference. Only one has reverb, but all but one have tremolo. I invested in a good spring reverb pedal so they all have it available.
Left to right, bottom row – Fender Deluxe and Fender Champ
Back row bottom – Fender Super Reverb and Supro Thunderbolt
Back row top – Gretsch 6156 “Playboy” and Alamo Montclair.
Fender Deluxe – Yes, I wish it was a DR, but it ain’t. But, since it isn’t I can jumper the channels and get some great tones and break up. Just a great solid amp to play at moderate volumes. I use it to jam with bass, drums and others, it’s loud enough for me. Still has the original Oxford speaker, I’m sure an upgrade would help but I’m good as is.
Fender Champ – The little beast with a tone stack. I have five variations and they are great fun to jam using electrics without drums. Always sound better with a larger speaker. At 20 lbs. I never doubt it’s a small quality amp every time I pick it up.
Fender Super Reverb – This amp has had the snot played out of it from the get go and still sounds so fine. It and a ’67 were main staples in a country rock band and used hard. All the major components on the chassis are original but the speakers (and grill) have been swapped many times. I currently have Jensen ceramic magnet speakers of various years. I use this for any outdoor jams or gigs, a little too much for a basement jam.
Supro Thunderbolt – I was offered this amp in the late ‘90’s for $50 (before the reissues came out). What sealed the deal was looking at the chassis and seeing two RCA blackplate 6L6 tubes. Brought it home, put the tubes in my SR and they have been there ever since. This amp is all original, but that includes a worn out Jensen P15S. This model has a solid state rectifier. As is it’s the quietest 6L6 amp I ever played. I probably need to replace the cap can. I know I can jumper the preamp tube and get more power. It is actually a bass amp and used it at a small jam with the bass and drums.
Gretsch 6156 “Playboy” – This is the sleeper in the group. A Valco product, it has the same circuit as the Supro 1624T amp Page used on some Zeppelin classics. This one came with the original Jensen C12R and it still sounds good. It has two RCA 6973 power tubes that give it a unique sound. I think it’s listed at 17 watts, a great amp to wail at a jam and still keep your hearing. A lot of the Valco amps I’ve tried had a fine sound but were usually housed in a cheap chassis and cabinet. This one is very well built.
Alamo Montclair Another Valco-like if not built. I call it my poorboy deluxe. Has 2 6V6 power tubes and a bright sound. It also sports a cheap 12 inch speaker, probably would have better bass with a better speaker. It’s loud enough to jam with and a light carry.
They are all fun to play, and at 57 are looking better than I did at that age.
Left to right, bottom row – Fender Deluxe and Fender Champ
Back row bottom – Fender Super Reverb and Supro Thunderbolt
Back row top – Gretsch 6156 “Playboy” and Alamo Montclair.
Fender Deluxe – Yes, I wish it was a DR, but it ain’t. But, since it isn’t I can jumper the channels and get some great tones and break up. Just a great solid amp to play at moderate volumes. I use it to jam with bass, drums and others, it’s loud enough for me. Still has the original Oxford speaker, I’m sure an upgrade would help but I’m good as is.
Fender Champ – The little beast with a tone stack. I have five variations and they are great fun to jam using electrics without drums. Always sound better with a larger speaker. At 20 lbs. I never doubt it’s a small quality amp every time I pick it up.
Fender Super Reverb – This amp has had the snot played out of it from the get go and still sounds so fine. It and a ’67 were main staples in a country rock band and used hard. All the major components on the chassis are original but the speakers (and grill) have been swapped many times. I currently have Jensen ceramic magnet speakers of various years. I use this for any outdoor jams or gigs, a little too much for a basement jam.
Supro Thunderbolt – I was offered this amp in the late ‘90’s for $50 (before the reissues came out). What sealed the deal was looking at the chassis and seeing two RCA blackplate 6L6 tubes. Brought it home, put the tubes in my SR and they have been there ever since. This amp is all original, but that includes a worn out Jensen P15S. This model has a solid state rectifier. As is it’s the quietest 6L6 amp I ever played. I probably need to replace the cap can. I know I can jumper the preamp tube and get more power. It is actually a bass amp and used it at a small jam with the bass and drums.
Gretsch 6156 “Playboy” – This is the sleeper in the group. A Valco product, it has the same circuit as the Supro 1624T amp Page used on some Zeppelin classics. This one came with the original Jensen C12R and it still sounds good. It has two RCA 6973 power tubes that give it a unique sound. I think it’s listed at 17 watts, a great amp to wail at a jam and still keep your hearing. A lot of the Valco amps I’ve tried had a fine sound but were usually housed in a cheap chassis and cabinet. This one is very well built.
Alamo Montclair Another Valco-like if not built. I call it my poorboy deluxe. Has 2 6V6 power tubes and a bright sound. It also sports a cheap 12 inch speaker, probably would have better bass with a better speaker. It’s loud enough to jam with and a light carry.
They are all fun to play, and at 57 are looking better than I did at that age.
