Tempo amp - wtf?

[architele]

So I got this little Tempo Amp from the 1960's this morning - a throw in with a 60s Dan Electro I was buying. Looks like a piece of junk. Moss green grill cloth. 3 imputs on a teeny little amp.

You turn it on by switching on the reverb - eh?.

I have been a pro musician since the late 70s and never ever heard of, let alone seen a "tempo" amp

so I plug my '00 AS tele in, not expecting much and OMFG - the thing scorches! Killer tone, breaks up at just the right point and amazing tremolo and reverb voodoo sounds.

Am I hallucinating? being overly optimistic? Are my ears shot from all those gigs?

Anyone ever hear of these things?

I'd post a picture but don't know how.....

 

[Wally]

I've never heard of it. However, if it does it for you, have that thing serviced..electrolytics are probably needed...and treasure it.

 

[FMA]

For what it's worth...

Here is a link to Harmony Central reviews:
http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data/Tempo/

 

[architele]

thanks guys -

I appreciate the comments.

 

[eddie knuckles]

cleaning pots - Tempo amp

Tempo amp #158

I just picked one up off CL, and is quite impressive, despite it not being too loud.

How do I clean the pots up so they stop cracklin'?

thank you in advance.

 

[Jahmbie]

Interesting amp. Sounds like one of the Japanese SS amps imported by Merson (which later became Unicord/Univox) in the early 1970's. Here is an article from Vintage Guitar that goes into the whole Univox story beginning with Merson/Tempo guitars and amps.
(link removed)

 

[Rich_S]

Just found this thread while searching the web for a "My First Amp" thread on the Duncan forum.

My first non-home-made amp was a Tempo solid state from Lafayette Electronics. Looked like this but with dark green grill cloth:

 

[charlie chitlin]

My first amp was a Tempo...around 1973.
That and a wah pedal and I was in heaven.
I had a Kimberly guitar from the local department store and scratched "STRAT" in the headstock with a pocket knife.
Alas, they were stolen from the supply closet of my grade school.
Maybe you have it!