California

Fender Super Amp ‘Brownface’, 1962

On May 17, 2021 /

Originally introduced as the Dual Professional in late 1946 and renamed in 1947, the Fender Super Amp started as a 20 watt, 2×10 combo, rising to a whopping 40 watts by 1962, and was discontinued in 1963 as Reverb-equipped models displaced several designs. Here we’re looking at a Fender Super Brownface amp, with the ‘brownface’ trim putting it directly between the ‘Blonde’ and ‘Blackface’ eras. (In the vintage amplifier world, the terms ‘Brownface and’ ‘Blackface’ – referring to the amp’s white lettering on a brown or black control panel – have no relation to what those terms mean in current political or cultural contexts).

Price: $2999.99 CAD

Fender Pro Amp TV Front 5B5 Circuit Tweed, 1952

On May 16, 2021 /

The Fender Pro Amp, first named Professional from 1946 to 1948, was aimed at performing guitar players and vocalists and put out a whopping 15 watts. From 1946 to mid 1953, it used a tweed-covered ‘TV Front’ cabinet as seen here. The Pro amp was discontinued in 1965 and became the Pro Reverb amp, following the pattern Fender was using with other non-reverb amps. Here we’re looking at a Fender Pro Amp dating to 1952 with the 5B5 circuit.

Price: $3199.99 CAD

Fender Twin Amp Blonde 1962

On May 12, 2021 /

The Fender Twin Amp was the go-to amp for performing and touring guitarists from 1952 to 1963, growing from 15 to 80 watts through two 12 inch speakers and finally replaced in 1963 by the Twin Reverb. By late 1959, the ‘Piggyback’ style of amp, with separate head and speaker cabinet entered production, and the Twin Amp was the most powerful Combo style amp available from Fender. The early ‘Piggyback’ amps – the Bandmaster, Bassman, Showman and Tremolux were wrapped in a ‘Blonde’ tolex, and the only combo to get that was the Twin Amp.

Price: $5999.99 CAD

Fender 65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue 1×12 Combo Amp, 2006

On April 19, 2021 /

The Fender 65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue brings back one of Fender’s most popular amps in the ‘Blackface’ variant from the mid 1960s. The Deluxe Reverb is a 22 watt, two channel amp and its moderate power makes it ideal for use in studios and small to medium sized venues – past that, put a mic in front of it!

Price: $1300 CAD

Polytone MiniBrain 75w Amplifier Head, 1990s

On December 9, 2020 /

Here’s a rarity -a Polytone MiniBrain 75w Amplifier Head dating to the 1990s and a veteran of many jazz club gigs in the Toronto area. The Polytone MiniBrain is nicely portable at just under 9 pounds (4kg) and with its largest dimension being 12 inches (304mm), by 11 inches (280mm) and 3 inches (76mm) deep. It sports EQ and drive controls, has an internal spring reverb and external effects loop connectors. Output is listed as 75 watts into 4 ohms.

Price: $500 CAD

Quilter Tone Block 202 200 Watt Amplifier Head

On December 1, 2020 /

The Quilter Tone Block 202 is the ultimate in a versatile and portable gigging amp solution. Coming in at a feather weight 3 pounds you can fit this little head in a backpack or even in the front pocket of many guitar gig bags. With a power rating of up to 200 watts it is designed to easily handle your onstage performance needs. It can also be attenuated down to 0 watts, so it can be used silently or at very low volumes.

Price: $799 CAD