Polytone

Bassmickeyd · #1 04-26-2011, 08:32 AM

So, after years of great service my Polytone Minibrute 3 died on me. ...... Paid maybe $150 for her 20-years ago so she really doesn't owe me much but, I still want to get her back up and running, so maybe my great grandchildren will have something to remember me by. ..... Does anyone know the email address for the Polytone shop/factory in California? ..... Found the website but could find no direct contact info.
Any-buddy here know?

glivanos · #2 04-26-2011, 08:42 AM

I too have a Polytone Minibrute III I bought in 1976. It does still work.

My recommendation would be to find a reputable amp repair person and have then look at it. Maybe they can indentify and obtain replacement parts for anything thats blown like power supplies or output transistors.

I have a schematic I can send you if you need it.

JimmyM · #3 04-26-2011, 12:19 PM

i hate to be a bummer here, but there is a part that you can't get anymore that polytone used that is critical to its operation. hopefully its problem won't be that part.

elgecko · #4 04-26-2011, 12:30 PM

From here: POLYTONE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

6865 Vineland Ave.
North Hollywood, CA 91605

Phone (818) 760-2300
Fax (818) 760-2302

polytone@pacbell.net

glivanos · #5 04-26-2011, 12:39 PM

Nlobody has answered that number for a long time.

elgecko · #6 04-26-2011, 12:44 PM

Out of business maybe?

For what it's worth, I always regretted selling my Polytone until I got my Markbass CMP121P.

elgecko · #7 04-26-2011, 12:51 PM

It appears they went under.

chadds · #8 04-26-2011, 05:31 PM

Always loved my 101. Had a larger cab than a mini so some more tone. Had several minibrutes over the years.

Bassmickeyd · #9 04-27-2011, 07:59 AM

Thanks for the info guys. ....... Sad to see FOR LEASE over The Polytone sign. ..... I know Long McQuade in Canada has carried them for sometime. .... But I guess this is why the guy at the store couldn't help me out. ..... My Minibrute3 is just a 90-watt powerhead, vol contol, and 15" speaker. ...... And Jimmy I read the same thread and hoped it's not that rare piece that burnt out also. .....
I'll hand it off to my local repair guy and cross my fingers.
Cheers

**ddbassGA** · #10 04-27-2011, 04:08 PM

I'll sell mine.

Bassmickeyd · #11 04-27-2011, 06:59 PM

What's yours?

staccatogrowl · #12 04-27-2011, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elgecko

It appears they went under.

It appears that appearances are deceiving. Yes, that is the old Polytone building. They moved. Their operations are in multiple locations now.

The phone number listed above is correct: (818) 760-2300. Did anyone try and call it?

I did. Today, I spoke with Jerry Cortez from Polytone engineering and production. He has been with Polytone for 35 years. They have new products in the works, and are very much alive and in business.

Jerry was surprised by the rumor of Polytone being "out of business." However, he stated that it's an old rumor. Competitors have circulated the same rumor for decades.

I was very happy to talk with Jerry, and learn that Polytone continues. I am sure that I'm not alone in this sentiment.

sbassface · #13 04-27-2011, 08:09 PM

Great news, to me at least...

robgrow · #14 04-27-2011, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

i hate to be a bummer here, but there is a part that you can't get anymore that polytone used that is critical to its operation. hopefully its problem won't be that part.

This is not necessarily true. I have been repairing Polytone amps since the early 80's, and most parts are usually still available if you know where to look.

Frankly I think there are much better amps available now though.

elgecko · #15 04-27-2011, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by staccatogrowl

It appears that appearances are deceiving. Yes, that is the old Polytone building. They moved. Their operations are in multiple locations now.

The phone number listed above is correct: (818) 760-2300. Did anyone try and call it?

I did. Today, I spoke with Jerry Cortez from Polytone engineering and production. He has been with Polytone for 35 years. They have new products in the works, and are very much alive and in business.

Jerry was surprised by the rumor of Polytone being "out of business." However, he stated that it's an old rumor. Competitors have circulated the same rumor for decades.

I was very happy to talk with Jerry, and learn that Polytone continues. I am sure that I'm not alone in this sentiment.

Darn, you got me! I work for a major Polytone competitor and was attempting to spread propaganda and misinformation to sabotage Polytone sales!

But seriously, their amps are so niche that they don't really have any competitors. They were revolutionary in their heyday and I used to love mine but their "competitors" have kind of left them in behind...far behind. They may want to take a short break for product development and update their website to make it a little easier for interested people to get a hold of them. They may also want to answer their phone, which they reportedly have not been doing...unless, of course...glivanos works for a competitor and is just spreading misinformation to sabotage Polytone sales!

Bassmickeyd · #16 04-27-2011, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robgrow

This is not necessarily true. I have been repairing Polytone amps since the early 80's, and most parts are usually still available if you know where to look.

Frankly I think there are much better amps available now though.

Sure there are but, my mini brute is a great little practice amp and that's why I'd like to get it back up running.

staccatogrowl · #17 04-28-2011, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elgecko

Darn, you got me! . . . their amps are so niche that they don't really have any competitors . . .

Henriksen seems to recognize the importance of Polytone, as they regularly bring up the Polytone name in their ads. The niche, as you say, is a valid market.

Quote:

Originally Posted by elgecko

They may want to take a short break for product development and update their website to make it a little easier for interested people to get a hold of them. They may also want to answer their phone, which they reportedly have not been doing . . .

I had no problem reaching them, although I did have to press some buttons on the phone.

Having used Polytones for over thirty years, and still a loyal user, I was quite disappointed to learn of your "allegation/insinuation" that Polytone was out of business.

When I called them last night it was past their business hours, and I reached their message machine. I did not leave a message. I was very happy just to hear their outgoing message.

Within a half hour I received a phone call, answered, and heard the voice, "Were you trying to reach Polytone?" Jerry Cortez followed up my missed call from their caller ID.

I was very glad to have the subsequent conversation with him. He asked me about the music I played, instruments used, and amps used. He talked about Tommy Gumina, Joe Pass, George Benson, and Ray Brown.

He joked that Joe Pass often requested a signature amp. It was to be a standard Polytone Mini, except with only one knob: Volume.

Having run the gear treadmill for over forty years with guitar and bass stuff, I appreciate my Polytone gear now, more than ever. It has amazing tone. It has been extremely reliable for me. It is amazingly portable. Anyone that hears it loves it. It's benchmark gear.

Bottom line: Polytone is still in business. I am glad and grateful.

JimmyM · #18 04-28-2011, 10:49 AM

my first bass teacher taught me with us both plugged into a mini brute. really is a nice amp.

elgecko · #19 04-28-2011, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by staccatogrowl

Henriksen seems to recognize the importance of Polytone, as they regularly bring up the Polytone name in their ads. The niche, as you say, is a valid market.

I'd never heard Henriksen but looking at their product line, it is suspiciously similar to Polytone. I never said it was an invalid market, I play with a guitar player who has two. Just that it is a very small, specialized market.

At any rate, I apologize to Polytone and its fans for inadvertently disseminating misinformation. Let the record reflect that

Quote:

Originally Posted by staccatogrowl

...Polytone is still in business...

jacochops · #20 06-03-2011, 06:16 AM

I just took delivery of a Polytone Mini-Brute 2 yesterday..FedEx showed up, and I gleefully unwrapped it. I actually won it on the 'bay, and it was in WAY better shape than I thought. Practically mint. Diamond pattern, with the original foam grill in impeccable condition. I fired it up, and the reverb still works perfectly. My archtop sounded AMAZING through it, as well as my j- basses and Eshenbaugh. Overall, a killer little amp. I've owned at least 8 of these over the years, but this is by far the cleanest example. Nice little practice rig to use in my studio for students.
It may be "dated" from a technology standpoint, but it DOES sound great, and it's a hip looking little guy, to boot! Where's my gold medallion and big lapelled shirt when I need it?