I assume that is a Brownface?
I have a 61 head, took me a while to warm up to it. So much less bottom end compared to the Showman (through the same cab). It really shines at volume 7 and up. Vibrato not as good as Showman, but better than Blackface. If you have a low volume drummer I think you can make it work, if the venue is a quiet one (or if you rely on PA).Be aware that the transformers on these things are tiny, and that would worry me for a long gig, if stressed.
I did find it very useful for recording sketches,
Ran

The Scimitars

I wouldn't get too hung up about the term, but it's up to you to decide how much you use it. I haven't played mine in a live settings either. I put a high demand on the amp with the thick strings. Your style may be different. I would say if it's a good deal, get it and try. I doubt you will have problems selling it if you don't like it.

The Scimitars

Last edited: Sep 25, 2018 21:43:54

I think that type of amp, say 22 Watts, is more of a practice amp. I had one and we blew the speakers and the head trying to keep up with the drummer. Great sounding amp, but not so practical for live shows.

Craig Skelly

Little Kahuna
www.littlekahunamusic.com
The Breakaways
The Curl Riders

According to Wikipedia, it's a 15w amp. The guitarist in my second band had one and it's still going strong after more than 50 years. Here's how it sounded in a studio situation in 1966 (or was it '65?). There's a guitar solo with a fat hollow body Guild in there somewhere.

http://www.leisureland.us/audio/KickingYou.mp3

Last edited: Sep 26, 2018 08:32:24

Mystery Man Richard has one, and it sounds like THE VOICE OF GOD. We ALWAYS encourage him to play through it. I'm hoping he'll chime in here. I think of it more like a piggyback Deluxe Reverb, but I don't know how fair that is. I also think that it keeps up plenty fine in terms of volume, but Chad also plays a Deluxe and it keeps up fine as well (I usually practice with a Bandmaster and gig with a Vibroverb). Witchery, I tell you!

• Jamie
  SSS Agent #181
  Cartoons drenched in reverb!
  The Mystery Men?
  El Capitan & The Reluctant Sadists

I still regret selling mine.
It was a '64 transition model (with the GZ34 tube rectifier), Blackface with blonde cosmetics and 2 x 10" cab.
For bigger clubs it had to be pushed to its limits (because of that I once blew a speaker, sadly) considering it being used for rhythm guitar playing, no lead (we have a VERY loud drummer).
For smaller clubs and recording, this is a mighty amp IMHO.
I did our whole 'Aloha Summer' album with it.
Would get it back instantly, if I could.

Cheers,
Andy

www.LosVenturas.be

Yeah, part of the problem is the price. I don't own any vintage amps and I am worried about it turning into a money pit. It's not a private seller where they might be willing to let me open the hood and I might just have to take the shop's word on it. With what is likely a necessary cap job and once-over it's just too much money.

Fender really needs to reissue some blondes/brownfaces.

Neptune Trojans

I don't want to be spreading them all over the Internet because it's not my amp (yet, maybe?), but I got some gut shots. Anyone willing to take a look? I can link them or email links or whatever.

Neptune Trojans

I have a 61 Trem since a few years after its birth which I forgot about for fifty years when I found it in the rafters at my moms house a few years back.

Hauling my 61 Showman or 60 Vibrasonic is not a joy, so, when I found the Trem I thought, bitchin, this is a light amp and speaker cab.

Of course, after sitting for fifty years, it did not work, so, I tuned it up and changed the caps. Result: no thunder.

Replaced the OT with a 62 Bassman: not much better.

Opened the speaker cab, removed the two 10" Jensens and replaced with two 12" JBL's. Not the sound I want. Since it was clear I was wasting my money, I think its now in the rafters of my house where it will stay. Or maybe I sold it!

Because I dabble a tad with some instrumental music, I think I know what sound the die-hard surf players desire and in my opinion, a Tremolux won't do the job. But then, that is an opinion from someone who only plays through a 61 Showman or 60 Vibrasonic, so, others may disagree.

PMS: On the other hand, word on the street is that blues players love the amp.

I have little experience with these amps, but the specs send positive signals. Basically a Brownface circuit in a nice physical size with the advantage of a piggyback cabinet. The 6L6 models were rated at 35 watts, according to Wikipedia, which is a very nice spot on the power continuum.

By the strangest of coincidences, Winfield Thomas recently demo’d an amp that is closely related to a Tweed Vibrolux, and according to him, it is quite similar to a Brownface Princeton as well. I know that the tremolo is great sounding and in the linear range, it’s got a wonderful basic timbre for First Wave Surf (which is what I play). The bottom line is that one of these will soon be gracing my abode, to keep company with my Elizabeth (6L6s, and about 40 watts of Blackface goodness in a 32 pound package).

While I have used powerful amps, and still keep a couple around, I am of the opinion that some very decent Surf sounds can be had with a small amp. Our band plays the County Fair every year and I usually bring a 5 watt amp and stick a mic’ in front of it. Through the PA, it sounded as big as a Showman and was a whole lot easier to schlep in and out of the gig.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

Last edited: Oct 12, 2018 20:19:09