Montgomery Ward's Amp ?

Border · #1 02-18-2011, 01:43 PM

I came across a tube amp from Montgomery Ward's in a pawn shop recently. It was two channel with four inputs and appeared to be all tube. It was manufactured by Magnavox and had the designation GIM9171A. It was interesting with reverb and tremolo features. I did not get a chance to play it, but plan to take a bass in and hook it up to whatever cab they will let me use. Has anyone used, owned or encountered this amp? Ran a bass through one? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Border.

**jlepre** · #2 02-18-2011, 01:58 PM

Sounds like a PA, not really a bass amp.

Wheezer61 · #3 02-18-2011, 02:02 PM

could be a guitar amp

grisezd · #4 02-18-2011, 03:14 PM

If you can get it cheap and it works, go for it. Somebody will love it. It might be just what you like for home practice or quiet gigs, or just what your guitarist needs.

Report back!

Basshappi · #5 02-18-2011, 03:40 PM

This is an old Valco amplifier made for Wards (Airline) and Sears (Silvertone) they have the potential to be good guitar amps and some are even collectable. If it works and is realativly inexpensive it may be worth having. Search info on vintage amp websites for National/Valco amps.

billfitzmaurice · #6 02-18-2011, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basshappi

This is an old Valco amplifier made for Wards (Airline) and Sears (Silvertone) they have the potential to be good guitar amps and some are even collectable. If it works and is realativly inexpensive it may be worth having. Search info on vintage amp websites for National/Valco amps.

The Valco's were pretty poor quality. Some early Silvertones were made by Danelectro, and they're the ones with value.

ezstep · #7 02-18-2011, 10:15 PM

We had an old Silvertone. Four-channel amp with 6x12's (maybe 6x10's), all Jensens. We cut it up and made it into a p.a. cabinet and added a fourth speaker to each column. We used that for four years, all through high school.

Wish I still had it, sometimes.

countrybass007 · #8 02-19-2011, 09:29 PM

I actually did a promo for Wards back in the 60s, and blew up one of their bass amps. They aren't meant to be a good bass amp, but it would be a fun collectible for home play. By the way, Wards didn't pay me and tried to get me to pay for the blown up amp.

atomicdog · #9 08-05-2011, 01:19 PM

I owned one of these back in the day (circ 1967)--with spring loaded reverb and all. It didn't have a lot of power but I used it as a gigging amp anyway (can't imagine it now). It was cheap in its own way, but held up for years of abuse. Wish I had it now.

BassmanPaul · #10 08-05-2011, 01:55 PM

It's a very old amplifier and will need some TLC. If you actually are considering this for bass it would be a poor choice. Save your money for something more practical.

nashvillebill · #11 08-05-2011, 01:59 PM

The schematic can be found here http://www.webphix.com/schematic%20h..._gim-9171a.pdf

Four 6l6's??? Hmm, if it's cheap grab it, if not cheap, pass.

billfitzmaurice · #12 08-05-2011, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nashvillebill

The schematic can be found here http://www.webphix.com/schematic%20h..._gim-9171a.pdf

Four 6l6's??? Hmm, if it's cheap grab it, if not cheap, pass.

The problem lies in the cheap undersized transformers, and the screwy dual output transformer arrangement. These things had a habit of toasting those 6L6s. A friend of mine went through three of these amps in one week before giving up, getting his money back and buying a used Fender.

nashvillebill · #13 08-05-2011, 02:59 PM

Ooohhh...didn't even notice the screwy dual OT's.

Yep, I'd pass. Not even worth getting it cheap just to use the trannies for something else.

bassvi · #14 08-05-2011, 06:10 PM

I had a Montgomery Wards bass rig when I was a kid (got it for Christmas or birthday). Big tube head with large knobs on it (no reverb or Tremelo), matching 2x15 cabinet. I was really excited to get it, was a big step up from my little Premier 1x8 combo.

The manual for the amp had a picture of a band called "The Cryin' Shames" all using the Montgomery Ward's amps. The singer had what looked like a fake hook for one of his hands.

That amp lost power very quickly and all the tubes became microphonic if I set the head on the cab. I eventually got a 50w Fender bassman head that worked a lot better for me.

I kept the MW head into my adult years, complete with manual. When I was living in Memphis I stored it in the attic of a small guest house I was renting and forgot it was up there when I moved out in a hurry. That was 16 years ago, sometimes wonder if it's still there.....

bassvi · #15 08-05-2011, 06:19 PM

LOL, this is the picture. My amp was the same one the bass player has, same color and everything (sigh...)

The Azure Dominsion

Rob22315 · #16 08-05-2011, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassvi

LOL, this is the picture. My amp was the same one the bass player has, same color and everything (sigh...)

The Azure Dominsion

Was the sound BIG?
Was the sound NOW?
Was the sound WARDS?

Must be, says so in the ad.

JimmyM · #17 08-06-2011, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

The Valco's were pretty poor quality. Some early Silvertones were made by Danelectro, and they're the ones with value.

Danelectro also made some guitar amps for Ward. I've got one...a little 15w 112 combo from 62. Horrible as a bass amp, but I threw a Mod 35 in there and it kicks as a guitar or harmonica amp.