Hi all,

I'm new to Surf Guitar 101 and this is my very first post. I've developed a soft spot for Teisco amps after I saw a Checkmate 50 with a 2 x 15" cabinet for sale last year and bought it. I just love the way it looks, and to my ears it sounds pretty good. Good clean sound, also at louder volumes. The reverb is pretty weak, in spite of all the tubes and other components having been checked and replaced by as close to original parts as possible by a pro.

Last week a Checkmate 100, also with 2 x 15" cabinet, came up for sale locally and I just had to have it. So far, I've only been able to play it at low volume (it's in my flat), but it sounds biiiig, and the reverb is much better than the one on the 50.

Now, I'd like to hear from other players with experience of Teisco amps. What do you think of them? Which Teisco amp(s) do you prefer? Are the solid state ones any good? And how do they compare to various Fender amps, for instance?

Last edited: Dec 12, 2016 07:10:47

blackheartsfan wrote:

Welcome! Sweet amp! Nothing like a "vintage" find, hope the price was right.

Remember you can always replace the reverb tank but it may just need cleaning. If you're going to replace it manufacturers and members here can give you guidance, they aren't that expensive actually they're pretty cheap. You can look for a used out-board reverb tank like Fender's reissue but they can run a few hundred dollars at the least.

Hey, thanks for the welcome!

I recently bought a Fender PR263 outboard reverb (the price was the equivalent of about 300 dollars, which is good for this part of the world, about 30% below the usual asking price), so I can simply use that instead of the 50's own reverb.
It would be nice to have the option of just using the amp on its own though. So what does cleaning the reverb tank involve? Simple mechanical cleaning to remove dust? Or do you use solvents? I would definitely like to try this on my Checkmate 50.
I got the Checkmate 100 in full working order for 450 dollars, again a pretty good price for Denmark.

Here's a pic of my Teisco Checkmate 50.

Last edited: Dec 14, 2016 06:08:50

Those Checkmate amps are beautiful! Well done. THe closest to a Teisco amp I have played is a Beltone ( which s I understand it is the same, anyone correct me if I wrong.) It sounded great.

I am not obsolete, I am RETRO....

JohnnyMosrite wrote:

I have a Japanese made ELK head - similar to a Bandmaster but with (not very good) reverb. It is allegedly 50 watts. I had it brought back to (some) life and serviced this year. When I want to channel the cheap sounding junk of the 1960s, I play through this amp. It's a great "garage" sound; if the "garage sound" is anything a guitar player wants to sound like.
I have a 2x12 cabinet with some cheapo speakers in it. I'm toying with the idea of slitting them with a razor ala Link Wray. Maybe....
J Mo'

IMO garage sound can be cool. Sounds like a fun project with the slicing of the speakers. That way you can (re-)create the proto-fuzz sound. Bit of a gamble of course, as there's no going back. But if you're willing to sacrifice the cheapo speakers just for the fun of it, then I suppose that's okay. Don't let me talk you into it though.

I played a Teisco Checkmate 100 yeeeeeears ago. Sounded great with a 1x15 Showman cabinet. I played it live a few times. The problem for me was the senseless heavy weight of those Checkmate 100 amps. There are uncountable tubes in it. I sold it before I had to change the tubes.
It is a good sounding loud and clear amp, so it is good for surf, and also other stuff of course. The watt-o-meter is very funny!!!! I miss the Watt-O-Meter!!!!
Here is an ooooooold video from me. I filmed, Matze played. Look until the end! :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7SOrOuJb_c

Twang cheers!

Ralf Kilauea

www.kilaueas.de

https://kilaueas.bandcamp.com/album/touch-my-alien

HallmarkSweptWinger wrote:

I played a Teisco Checkmate 100 yeeeeeears ago. Sounded great with a 1x15 Showman cabinet. I played it live a few times. The problem for me was the senseless heavy weight of those Checkmate 100 amps. There are uncountable tubes in it. I sold it before I had to change the tubes.
It is a good sounding loud and clear amp, so it is good for surf, and also other stuff of course. The watt-o-meter is very funny!!!! I miss the Watt-O-Meter!!!!
Here is an ooooooold video from me. I filmed, Matze played. Look until the end! :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7SOrOuJb_c

It is pretty heavy, yes. But for the time being, I'm willing to live with that for the sheer coolness of the amp. And I love the watt meter!

I had already watched that video several times while researching the Checkmate 100. Nice video, and yours even had a master volume fitted.

Coley wrote:

blackheartsfan wrote:

Welcome! Sweet amp! Nothing like a "vintage" find, hope the price was right.

Remember you can always replace the reverb tank but it may just need cleaning. If you're going to replace it manufacturers and members here can give you guidance, they aren't that expensive actually they're pretty cheap. You can look for a used out-board reverb tank like Fender's reissue but they can run a few hundred dollars at the least.

Hey, thanks for the welcome!

I recently bought a Fender PR263 outboard reverb (the price was the equivalent of about 300 dollars, which is good for this part of the world, about 30% below the usual asking price), so I can simply use that instead of the 50's own reverb.
It would be nice to have the option of just using the amp on its own though. So what does cleaning the reverb tank involve? Simple mechanical cleaning to remove dust? Or do you use solvents? I would definitely like to try this on my Checkmate 50.
I got the Checkmate 100 in full working order for 450 dollars, again a pretty good price for Denmark.

Here's a pic of my Teisco Checkmate 50.

Just unscrewing the tank, turning it over and hitting it with a soft brush to remove debris, spider webs/cobwebs, dust and vacuuming out the crap might help. Taking a look under the hood will allow you see if the springs are rusty which will affect "tone" or disconnected.