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Valco Amplifier

Estimated price for orientation: 700 $

Category: Guitar Amplifiers
Class:











Description
Condition: Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition Brand: Valco


Super rare, 1955 Valco Oahu guitar amp. The only year to use two 6 by 9' Oval Rola speakers,and this amp has the original matching set. Never been re-coned, and sound absolutely amazing. Period correct RCA grey glass 6v6 tubes, and a "coke bottle" 5V4 rectifier tube in place of the 5Y3, which is included. I like the 5V4 because it adds a touch more growl throughout the entire range. This amp also has a KILLER tube driven tremolo circuit. I originally paid $900 for this amp,and had it serviced -- a general clean and two tone caps replaced, and I gigged with it three times a week for a year, and never, ever had an issue. It has been sitting for almost five years now, and while I hate to let it go, it just comes down to being a broke musician and doing that thing we do. Here is an article describing this amp in better detail. This amp was produced by Valco in Chicago under their Oahu brand, although Valco was also well known for making amps under the Supro banner. This point-to-point hand wired vintage amplifier delivers roughly 12 tube watts through a pair of original Rola 6x9 oval speakers, and the tone is simply delightful. Few amps have the smooth, churning breakup and warm, crunchy tonal character of the Tremo-Tone, and this amp can easily stand up to the best tweed Fender's of the '50s in terms of dynamic, touch sensitive responsiveness and thick tube driven overdrive. The bias based tremolo has a nice strong pulse and smooth waveform, delivering a tremolo sound that's nearly impossible to capture in a pedal, with a warmth and swell that's simply divine. The circuit is powered by a pair of 6V6 power tubes, with a 5Y3 rectifier and octal 6SQ7 and 6SC7 preamp tubes, all of which are vintage NOS valves and may very well be original to the amplifier. The amp is functioning as it should, and the original transformers are intact , with the output transformer mounted to one of the speaker frames, as per the custom in the '50s. Both oval Rola speakers have their original cones, and the alnico magnets deliver a tone that is both unique and familiar, staying within the established parameters for "good tone" yet voicing the amp in a way that a single 10" or 12" driver could not accomplish.  Thanks for looking.