fdesalvo
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Despite the coolness the emphatic tone of the title might have lent to your perception, allow me to let you down easy.
But first a little background...
I lived on Larrabee Street in West Hollywood, CA from 2005 to last October. While I was there, I met loads of really unique and crazy individuals in my neighborhood; most of them were at some point involved in modeling, acting, or the music biz. One night one of my neighbors saw my carrying my guitar across the street to a gig at the Viper Room and he waited until the next day to approach me.
He was an older guy in his 60's; moved from NYC in the late 60's and opened a jewlery shop on the strip. So, he came up to me while I was exersizing on the hill and asked if I wanted an amp that was was just sitting in a box in his closet since the 70s. I was thinking Silverface?! Blackface?!?! A Plexi!?!?!?!? I immediately said yes! He disappeared into his condo and came out with a small box - I mean small!
On the outside I saw this:
My heart sank, but the smile on my face didn't waiver. I thought it was really cool of him to just give me something from the goodness of his heart. I just noticed this was made in 90069 - West Hollywood! Once home, I opened the box - which itself was in stunning condition.
Wow it's MINT!
Even the latch was stamped in the USA
I inserted some new batt'ries- even the original adaptor was left where it was placed. He said he never used it and I can tell.
The cord is still like new - super supple.
The speaker is MINT - no dryness. A true time capsule piece.
The circuitboard is dated January 30, 1978 -
Are these cheesy? The new ones are - you can get one for around $75, but aren't made like this. I know they don't sound like this. It sounds like a smoky little jazz amp. Kind of dark, but has a really unique overdrive. The company has a really interesting past, as well. All local Los Angeles drama. Seems like after this model took off, the company moved manufacturing overseas and produced one dud after the next - eventually spawning the infamous Gorilla company! Sweet mercy.
As a novelty piece, it's way cool, but it actually sounds cool, as well. I looked all over the net and couldn't find one in this shape at this age. Kinda of cool.
But first a little background...
I lived on Larrabee Street in West Hollywood, CA from 2005 to last October. While I was there, I met loads of really unique and crazy individuals in my neighborhood; most of them were at some point involved in modeling, acting, or the music biz. One night one of my neighbors saw my carrying my guitar across the street to a gig at the Viper Room and he waited until the next day to approach me.
He was an older guy in his 60's; moved from NYC in the late 60's and opened a jewlery shop on the strip. So, he came up to me while I was exersizing on the hill and asked if I wanted an amp that was was just sitting in a box in his closet since the 70s. I was thinking Silverface?! Blackface?!?! A Plexi!?!?!?!? I immediately said yes! He disappeared into his condo and came out with a small box - I mean small!
On the outside I saw this:
My heart sank, but the smile on my face didn't waiver. I thought it was really cool of him to just give me something from the goodness of his heart. I just noticed this was made in 90069 - West Hollywood! Once home, I opened the box - which itself was in stunning condition.
Wow it's MINT!
Even the latch was stamped in the USA
I inserted some new batt'ries- even the original adaptor was left where it was placed. He said he never used it and I can tell.
The cord is still like new - super supple.
The speaker is MINT - no dryness. A true time capsule piece.
The circuitboard is dated January 30, 1978 -
Are these cheesy? The new ones are - you can get one for around $75, but aren't made like this. I know they don't sound like this. It sounds like a smoky little jazz amp. Kind of dark, but has a really unique overdrive. The company has a really interesting past, as well. All local Los Angeles drama. Seems like after this model took off, the company moved manufacturing overseas and produced one dud after the next - eventually spawning the infamous Gorilla company! Sweet mercy.
As a novelty piece, it's way cool, but it actually sounds cool, as well. I looked all over the net and couldn't find one in this shape at this age. Kinda of cool.
