School me on Valco/Sears/Ward/Harmony/Supro/Silvertone amps
- Thread starter mrid
- Start date
Robert S.
Super Moderator
Re: School me on Valco/Sears/Ward/Harmony/Supro/Silvertone amps
The Valco amps are very cool. Valco made amps for Supro, Gretch and others back in the 1950s.
I have a Valco - Chicago 51 made for Supro here at the house. It needs new pots, caps and a speaker recone (Jenson 15") but when it was running it sounded killer. Definately a solid little amp for back in the day and it has a lot more character tonally than the Silvertone stuff I have heard around.
I'm probably wrong, but wasn't Silvertone a Sears brand?
The Valco amps are very cool. Valco made amps for Supro, Gretch and others back in the 1950s.
I have a Valco - Chicago 51 made for Supro here at the house. It needs new pots, caps and a speaker recone (Jenson 15") but when it was running it sounded killer. Definately a solid little amp for back in the day and it has a lot more character tonally than the Silvertone stuff I have heard around.
I'm probably wrong, but wasn't Silvertone a Sears brand?
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: School me on Valco/Sears/Ward/Harmony/Supro/Silvertone amps
these little amps can be fantastic or they can be trash...you just have to play with them, and see what you think. Are you on a Jimmy Page kick?...little amps, telecasters...dont for get a good Fuzztone!!!
these little amps can be fantastic or they can be trash...you just have to play with them, and see what you think. Are you on a Jimmy Page kick?...little amps, telecasters...dont for get a good Fuzztone!!!
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: School me on Valco/Sears/Ward/Harmony/Supro/Silvertone amps
Only because i was there when I got my Tele...about 6 months ago. If you are looking for a JP type Tele the MW is your best bet. As for the amp...JP's was NOT a thunderbolt...the Led Zep I and II amp had either an 8 or 10, or maybe a 12 inch speaker in it...a Thunder bolt has a 15. As far as the amp thing...there are TONS of the very small, single ended, champ type amps out there...or you could try to find one that is a bit bigger. Truth is...a smallish Fender will do ok, but if you really want a closer sound, find something that is kinda cheep...it will have a more ragged tone...look into older Gibson amps...they sound more like the Supro that a Fender will plus they can be had cheep! The Supro thing has been blown up for years, as well as the Silvertones...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10171&item=3762765102&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10171&item=3764769471&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10171&item=3764769471&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10171&item=3764705787&rd=1
Good luck bro...like I said don't forget the FUZZTONE...I highly recommend a Roger Meyer Axis Fuzz!!!
mrid said:
Only because i was there when I got my Tele...about 6 months ago. If you are looking for a JP type Tele the MW is your best bet. As for the amp...JP's was NOT a thunderbolt...the Led Zep I and II amp had either an 8 or 10, or maybe a 12 inch speaker in it...a Thunder bolt has a 15. As far as the amp thing...there are TONS of the very small, single ended, champ type amps out there...or you could try to find one that is a bit bigger. Truth is...a smallish Fender will do ok, but if you really want a closer sound, find something that is kinda cheep...it will have a more ragged tone...look into older Gibson amps...they sound more like the Supro that a Fender will plus they can be had cheep! The Supro thing has been blown up for years, as well as the Silvertones...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10171&item=3762765102&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10171&item=3764769471&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10171&item=3764769471&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10171&item=3764705787&rd=1
Good luck bro...like I said don't forget the FUZZTONE...I highly recommend a Roger Meyer Axis Fuzz!!!
kevlar3000
Bullet Proof Toneologist
Re: School me on Valco/Sears/Ward/Harmony/Supro/Silvertone amps
Silvertone 1483 Bassman clone or a 1484 Twin Twelve are spectacular. I like the 1483 just a touch more, a little more raunchy. They are Sears brand but I believe Valco built them. I just sold a 1484, but hope to get another when i get the bucks. My 1483 will never be sold, that amp is a beast. I also just a bought a 1471 combo that is extremely toneful, you totally get the Page vibe with it. Hit my link, I have sound clips of the 1484 and the 1483. Fat Jojo is entirely 1483. Those Silvertone amps amps are the White Stripes tone. IMO they need no tweaking at all, most my other old amps have needed a bit of messing, but these ones are perfect stock.
http://www.soundclick.com/util/streamM3U.m3u?ID=1645732&q=Hi
(Fat Jojo)
http://www.soundclick.com/util/streamM3U.m3u?ID=1749137&q=Hi
(1484 Twin Twelve clip)
Silvertone 1483 Bassman clone or a 1484 Twin Twelve are spectacular. I like the 1483 just a touch more, a little more raunchy. They are Sears brand but I believe Valco built them. I just sold a 1484, but hope to get another when i get the bucks. My 1483 will never be sold, that amp is a beast. I also just a bought a 1471 combo that is extremely toneful, you totally get the Page vibe with it. Hit my link, I have sound clips of the 1484 and the 1483. Fat Jojo is entirely 1483. Those Silvertone amps amps are the White Stripes tone. IMO they need no tweaking at all, most my other old amps have needed a bit of messing, but these ones are perfect stock.
http://www.soundclick.com/util/streamM3U.m3u?ID=1645732&q=Hi
(Fat Jojo)
http://www.soundclick.com/util/streamM3U.m3u?ID=1749137&q=Hi
(1484 Twin Twelve clip)
Last edited:
S
seafoamer
Guest
Re: School me on Valco/Sears/Ward/Harmony/Supro/Silvertone amps
I love these 2: http://brandonarzillo.com/rig.htm
I love these 2: http://brandonarzillo.com/rig.htm
RushOfBlood
New member
Re: School me on Valco/Sears/Ward/Harmony/Supro/Silvertone amps
everything kevlar said! wasn't the 1483 originally a bass amp? (no rvb)
they're frickin sweet
everything kevlar said! wasn't the 1483 originally a bass amp? (no rvb)
they're frickin sweet
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: School me on Valco/Sears/Ward/Harmony/Supro/Silvertone amps
All started with National...same company that invented the resonator guitar about 1929.
By the 50's, National had gone through differant owners and ended up evolving into Valco.
Valco made Supro products and also products for Sears (Silvertone) and Montgomery Wards (Airline).
I have a National Style O Resonator from about 1930 in my collection. And also a few wonderful Lap Steels that all have differant body shapes but use the exact same pickup assembly and have Supro, Silvertone or Airline on the headstock. Ry Cooder uses the pickup assembly off of these guitars as the bridge pickup in his favorite Strat!
If a guy is looking for a killer and inexpensive vintage Lap Steel get a Supro, Silvertone or Airline. Just make sure you're getting the right pickup.
The Silvertone Twin Twelve is a cool amp. I've owned three of them. Stock speakers are usually quality Jensen 50's C12Q speakers...same speaker that came in my '58 Fender Deluxe amp.
The Twin Twelves have a great swampy kind of tone...killer for rootsy music. Swampy is how I describe it. Probably the worst reverb I've ever heard....the springs are in a little box about 10" long. Sounds awful...but the vibrato is really cool!
My brother Bruce goes through those Silvertones and redesigns them for a much ballsier and better tone. I love mine and my buddy AJ gigs with his!
They are all point to point wiring: NO CIRCUIT BOARD!
Anyways, Valco and Danolectro both made high quality products in the 50's for musicians on a budget. Good stuff...though not the same quality as Fender or Gibson of course.
All started with National...same company that invented the resonator guitar about 1929.
By the 50's, National had gone through differant owners and ended up evolving into Valco.
Valco made Supro products and also products for Sears (Silvertone) and Montgomery Wards (Airline).
I have a National Style O Resonator from about 1930 in my collection. And also a few wonderful Lap Steels that all have differant body shapes but use the exact same pickup assembly and have Supro, Silvertone or Airline on the headstock. Ry Cooder uses the pickup assembly off of these guitars as the bridge pickup in his favorite Strat!
If a guy is looking for a killer and inexpensive vintage Lap Steel get a Supro, Silvertone or Airline. Just make sure you're getting the right pickup.
The Silvertone Twin Twelve is a cool amp. I've owned three of them. Stock speakers are usually quality Jensen 50's C12Q speakers...same speaker that came in my '58 Fender Deluxe amp.
The Twin Twelves have a great swampy kind of tone...killer for rootsy music. Swampy is how I describe it. Probably the worst reverb I've ever heard....the springs are in a little box about 10" long. Sounds awful...but the vibrato is really cool!
My brother Bruce goes through those Silvertones and redesigns them for a much ballsier and better tone. I love mine and my buddy AJ gigs with his!
They are all point to point wiring: NO CIRCUIT BOARD!
Anyways, Valco and Danolectro both made high quality products in the 50's for musicians on a budget. Good stuff...though not the same quality as Fender or Gibson of course.
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: School me on Valco/Sears/Ward/Harmony/Supro/Silvertone amps
I used to play with a twin twelve AND the 1x15 bass version (model 1483) at the same time...I loved it.
Lew, you are right the reverb is garbage! The trem is cool...very cool amps, about 25 watts from a pair of 5881's, they break up around 4 or 5 and are total crunch by about 7 or 8...these amps will not do metal crunch, but if you're on a budget, and want a PTP amp with NO frills, and a mean natural overdrive, grab one up...be fore the price goes up anymore!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10171&item=3764935432&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1288&item=3764637298&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10171&item=3763954963&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10171&item=3764924672&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10171&item=3764888683&rd=1
Lewguitar said:
I used to play with a twin twelve AND the 1x15 bass version (model 1483) at the same time...I loved it.
Lew, you are right the reverb is garbage! The trem is cool...very cool amps, about 25 watts from a pair of 5881's, they break up around 4 or 5 and are total crunch by about 7 or 8...these amps will not do metal crunch, but if you're on a budget, and want a PTP amp with NO frills, and a mean natural overdrive, grab one up...be fore the price goes up anymore!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10171&item=3764935432&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1288&item=3764637298&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10171&item=3763954963&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10171&item=3764924672&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10171&item=3764888683&rd=1
Evan Skopp
SDUGF Founder
Re: School me on Valco/Sears/Ward/Harmony/Supro/Silvertone amps
I have a 1952 Valco tweed "TV" style with around 5 watts and a single 8" speaker that I keep in my office. If you ever come to the SD factory, you can see it and play through it (gently please).
I think Scott F played my SweeTone through it. It's a great "bedroom level" amp.
I have a 1952 Valco tweed "TV" style with around 5 watts and a single 8" speaker that I keep in my office. If you ever come to the SD factory, you can see it and play through it (gently please).
I think Scott F played my SweeTone through it. It's a great "bedroom level" amp.
Re: School me on Valco/Sears/Ward/Harmony/Supro/Silvertone amps
Those Silvertones were actually made by Danelectro. Some 40's and early 50's Silvertones were made by Valco, but the 60's Silvertones like the 1482, 1483, and 1484 were Danelectro builds.
Those Silvertones were actually made by Danelectro. Some 40's and early 50's Silvertones were made by Valco, but the 60's Silvertones like the 1482, 1483, and 1484 were Danelectro builds.
MetalManiac
Li'l Junior Member
Re: School me on Valco/Sears/Ward/Harmony/Supro/Silvertone amps
so your first post since joining was to find was to resurrect a post from 2004? good job!
Valco made amps for Gretsch.I had one of the best ones, i wasnt totally impressed, My Blackface Bassman suffocated it,so I ditched it-actually traded it for a Mint Traynor YBA -1a Bassman amp Istillahve and 100% restored..
VAlco Supro amps were cool amps..I have the best of the best-an an old super rare Supro/Valco amp of their highest wattege rating,plus a super rare seperate Valco preamp -a jem I got on the sly for nearly nothing -being quick on the trigger finger and way ahead of the step before these things got generally well known.
I'm sitting pretty on the whole Valco /Gretsch /Supro thing.
PLUS..I have an old Monkey Wards Valco 2x6l6 amp..as a termendous bounus,its a atomic/space age design!...All fixed up and ready to roar.
OH yeah,I jumped on this **** while the getting was good!
so your first post since joining was to find was to resurrect a post from 2004? good job!
Valco made amps for Gretsch.I had one of the best ones, i wasnt totally impressed, My Blackface Bassman suffocated it,so I ditched it-actually traded it for a Mint Traynor YBA -1a Bassman amp Istillahve and 100% restored..
VAlco Supro amps were cool amps..I have the best of the best-an an old super rare Supro/Valco amp of their highest wattege rating,plus a super rare seperate Valco preamp -a jem I got on the sly for nearly nothing -being quick on the trigger finger and way ahead of the step before these things got generally well known.
I'm sitting pretty on the whole Valco /Gretsch /Supro thing.
PLUS..I have an old Monkey Wards Valco 2x6l6 amp..as a termendous bounus,its a atomic/space age design!...All fixed up and ready to roar.
OH yeah,I jumped on this **** while the getting was good!
Last edited:
DrNewcenstein
He Did the Monster Mash
Re: School me on Valco/Sears/Ward/Harmony/Supro/Silvertone amps
At least he used the Search function, which he'd get chewed for NOT doing had he started a new thread about it.
At least he used the Search function, which he'd get chewed for NOT doing had he started a new thread about it.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: School me on Valco/Sears/Ward/Harmony/Supro/Silvertone amps
He probably found the thread via Google. I've searched for things and stumbled upon SDUGF threads. That I started even.
Welcome to the forum, mgmail.
He probably found the thread via Google. I've searched for things and stumbled upon SDUGF threads. That I started even.
Welcome to the forum, mgmail.
SirJackdeFuzz
New member
Re: School me on Valco/Sears/Ward/Harmony/Supro/Silvertone amps
JACK WHITE . . . during his White Stripes days was a huge fan . . . so am I !
JACK WHITE . . . during his White Stripes days was a huge fan . . . so am I !
hydro
Prayin' to Cheeses
Re: School me on Valco/Sears/Ward/Harmony/Supro/Silvertone amps
This is a pretty good resource on Silvertone amps.
http://www.silvertoneworld.net/amps.html
I used a 1484 a while back and wanted to buy it from the guy, but he wouldn't sell it to me. I thought it sounded awesome. Well after it stopped shocking the cr@p out of me, that is (it has a polarity switch).
This is a pretty good resource on Silvertone amps.
http://www.silvertoneworld.net/amps.html
I used a 1484 a while back and wanted to buy it from the guy, but he wouldn't sell it to me. I thought it sounded awesome. Well after it stopped shocking the cr@p out of me, that is (it has a polarity switch).
