Mystery Amp! Help Identify!

beatsbears · #1 09-19-2011, 01:55 PM

Well it looks like my crappy job may have finally paid off. A few weeks ago my boss who owns several buildings in the area told me that a tenant left a really old bass amp in one of the units and asked if I wanted it. Of course, I said yes. He said there was a head and a cabinet with what sounds like a 15 inch speaker, but he hasn't picked up the cab yet.

I just got the head today and I frankly have no idea what it is. It has three inputs on the front, bass, high, and low as well as three controls, treble, bass, and volume. In back we see what looks to be three very dusty 12au7's and two 6L6GC's. The only other markings are the BB emblem on the front and a serial number and some ratings on the back.

Any ideas? Also, I have not tested it yet, plan to do so probably tomorrow or the next day.

Thanks

Sifl · #2 09-19-2011, 01:57 PM

Doug Parent · #3 09-19-2011, 01:57 PM

I wonder if that's an old Traynor that was recovered. Just a guess. That shape reminds mew of Randall as well.

KramerBassFan · #4 09-19-2011, 02:04 PM

Univox Amplifiers

Its a Univox 1235.

Vincent P · #5 09-19-2011, 02:06 PM

The BB looks as thought they may just be stick on lettering which can be purchased at any local hardware store.

Vincent P · #6 09-19-2011, 02:08 PM

U-1235 Bass Amp System (1, 2, 3 4) - 5 tubes (2 6L6, 2 12AU7, 12AX7) and solid state power supply, 50W, 3 inputs (bass, high, low) w/ deep and sharp selector switches, , 2x12 cabinets with Eminence special design speakers. Controls: volume, bass, treble. Apparently there was a guitar version made too, the only known difference was that it had reverb and tremolo. Speaker cab are rear loaded and is not ported. It has matching red and black dot in the center. The dimensions are 30 1/2" High x 22 1/2" Across and 13 1/2" Deep. There are two handles located on the sides and a single input on the back. Also know as the E-3.

Vincent P · #7 09-19-2011, 02:10 PM

Looks like yours has been recovered and the BB added.

Bardley · #8 09-19-2011, 02:10 PM

Free gear rocks! Good score there.

KramerBassFan · #9 09-19-2011, 02:11 PM

I've got the guts, caps, and transformers from a 1235. Seems solid enough... i'm reworking it into something different.

beatsbears · #10 09-19-2011, 02:13 PM

Good eye guys! Matches almost exactly. Looks like they must've replaced the front grill with the back panel which explains the missing emblem and why it's entirely open in the back.

Wow. 15 minutes on here and you guys got it. Any idea what i should expect from this?

BurningSkies · #11 09-19-2011, 02:45 PM

6L6's are good for about 20watts output at peak performance...so with 2 of them you're looking at a very large low-wattage tube amp. Could sound not bad though...

beatsbears · #12 09-19-2011, 03:02 PM

Just gave it a quick test through my Avatar 210. Sounded not bad, but did have some major crackling and pops.

I've been looking to learn how to work on amps, this may be the perfect opportunity. But a pretty major project.

Can't seem to find the ohm rating for this bad boy. Mine has two outputs, just ran it at 8, but I'm looking to get rid of the avatar and my only other cabs are 4 ohms.

KramerBassFan · #13 09-19-2011, 03:05 PM

Mine has taps for 16 and 8 ohms of the output transformer.

It likely needs a cap job, as these are from (Roughly, give or take a few years) to 1967 to 1973 or so.

RickenBoogie · #14 09-19-2011, 03:25 PM

It would be a really good idea to take it in to a qualified amp tech for a solid looking over. I'm sure the caps need replacing at the very least. Always a good idea, but in this case, almost no other choice. Nice score.

beatsbears · #15 09-19-2011, 03:42 PM

I guess I can't complain about taking it to a tech since it was free..

Looking at it I can think of quite a few things that need looked at.
-a cap job
-look at the tubes (all very old, very dusty)
-grounded power cable
-cleaning inside and out
-pot cleaning/replacement
-maybe a new grill so I can return the back cover to where it belongs.

Of course it wouldn't be worth it to have an amp tech do all this, but maybe a few parts. I wonder if it would be possible to watch them do some of the work..

skychief · #16 09-19-2011, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vincent P

Looks like yours has been recovered and the BB added.

+1

Vincent P · #17 09-19-2011, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beatsbears

I guess I can't complain about taking it to a tech since it was free..

Looking at it I can think of quite a few things that need looked at.
-a cap job
-look at the tubes (all very old, very dusty)
-grounded power cable
-cleaning inside and out
-pot cleaning/replacement
-maybe a new grill so I can return the back cover to where it belongs.

Of course it wouldn't be worth it to have an amp tech do all this, but maybe a few parts. I wonder if it would be possible to watch them do some of the work..

Good project, enjoy.

bassguitarthund · #18 09-19-2011, 04:24 PM

I love free gear!!! Looks like you got a sweet amp there!! A little TLC!

KramerBassFan · #19 09-19-2011, 04:34 PM

I wouldn't bother with the back panel, just not worth it.
As for the caps, cord and tubes, yes, that is all good advice. But the pots are likely salvageable after a good cleaning. This really isn't an amp worth sinking a lot of money into.

Rebmo · #20 09-19-2011, 04:47 PM

Watts under the front added back panel? Might be just a cover up?