Members Thunnar Posted November 23, 2006 Members Share Posted November 23, 2006 I recently discovered (on eBay) guys who are modding these pre-1950 tube amps and PA's to take guitars. I bought one and I don't think I'll ever go back to my Fender/Ampeg/Mesas again. 1946 Stromberg-Carlson PA with 6F6 power section 20watts RMS just floors me with its Blackface on the Mount clean. Serious! 1938 Webster Theater PA 2A3 power section (12 tubes in all) infinite headroom. Complex tone stack thing called "Freq. Mod". To die for . . . 30watts warm, clear, clean, deep. Anyone else have any experience with these types of amps and mods? I'd like to hear what you're doing, types of cabs, guitars, effects, etc. that you might be experimenting with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mamberg Posted November 23, 2006 Members Share Posted November 23, 2006 pics?? how did you find them on the bay, what did you search for? I doubt if there is a category for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Thunnar Posted November 23, 2006 Author Members Share Posted November 23, 2006 This is the 1946 Stromberg. It was modded by the Frenzel Brothers in Texas. You really gotta hear these things to believe them! You can find them on eBay from anywhere from $150 to $300 completely refurbed and ready to rock. The original stuff is even there minus the leaky caps and resistors. Cool old tranny's that freakin' crank! Seriously, these high-end tube amps and boutique babies are nice but these early circuits are what the modern stuff was all originally based on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Thunnar Posted November 24, 2006 Author Members Share Posted November 24, 2006 One Bump to see if anyone else plays with these. Happy T-Bird Day to All! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Manic Episode Posted November 24, 2006 Members Share Posted November 24, 2006 I just bought a Bogen CHB 20A on ebay for $37.00. All I need to do is add 1/4 jacks and perhaps parallel 2 inputs. I'm stoked. Things gotta be 40-50 years old and still going strong (except the caps had to be replaced). Many of these old amps were used in schools for morning announcements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phatster Posted November 24, 2006 Members Share Posted November 24, 2006 I'm familiar with the Bogen and Stromberg,but I don't own one yet.Dukane is another brand that is well known in these circles.If you can get the right tubes consistently its a no-brainer to go this way.I applaud your advensuresome spirit!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members herobiscuit Posted November 24, 2006 Members Share Posted November 24, 2006 Here is a pretty much complete list of great 40 and 50s American stuff(minus what is already posted):AirlineAltec LansingAmplifier Corp of AmericaArthur AnsleyAudio EquipmentBarvick(Canuck smuck)Bell SoundBrookCardwellChallenger(not the to confused with David Bogen model)ClarkConcordDukaneGeneral ElectricGoodellGrommesHamitonKayKnightLeak(UK but still OK)MagnavoxMascoNewcombNorthern Electric(another Canuck but WTF)OperadioRCA(of course)Radio CraftsmenRaulandRegalHH Scott(one of the best)Sound INCStarkSteelmanThordarsonTone-PakWebster-ChicagoWebster-Electric Keep on keeping on:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members herobiscuit Posted November 24, 2006 Members Share Posted November 24, 2006 Originally posted by Thunnar Seriously, these high-end tube amps and boutique babies are nice but these early circuits are what the modern stuff was all originally based on. Somewhat true. When buying older stuff it maybe a good ID to try and stay away from 7 volt preamp tubes. Unless you're an old navy guy or similar:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members willi Posted January 18, 2008 Members Share Posted January 18, 2008 I just bought a Bogen CHB 20A on ebay for $37.00. All I need to do is add 1/4 jacks and perhaps parallel 2 inputs. I'm stoked. Things gotta be 40-50 years old and still going strong (except the caps had to be replaced). Many of these old amps were used in schools for morning announcements. I got a Bogen to drive my franken-leslie. Any idea what type that mic connector is on the CHB 20A? Is that input driven to higher gain than the other weird RCA connectors? Which caps were replaced and what was the difference afterward (was it required to make the amp working again, or was it for tonal quality, total output volume, etc.)? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members newholland Posted January 18, 2008 Members Share Posted January 18, 2008 yeah man! I run an Eico hifi amp.. 14 glorious el34 watts of serious electron luv... Definitely good stuff if you're handy with a soldering iron.. some of those transformers are worth their weight in gold for their immense bandwidths, and some of 'em are really smart in their design for guitar amps 'cause they didn't go up much past 7-8k.. cause nothing GOT there yet! no high end trash to pass through.. so no fizzy grit! I knew a guy who recorded a record through an old McIntosh power amp modded with 1/4" input and output.. and i swear it's some of the prettiest tele tones I've ever heard! Congrats.. don't hog 'em all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members De-bone-air Posted January 19, 2008 Members Share Posted January 19, 2008 The old Magnavox tube amps make very nice guitar amps.I have a like-new 12", 1956 Quincy (owned by Dukane) Alnico speaker that has tone 2die4!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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