In Search of "Fat Albert" -- Univox

funkytoe · #1 12-29-2009, 01:03 PM

In my 30+ years as a bassist, I have played through a lot of backline gear and have owned my share of amps -- but I have never - ever - seen or played through a Univox "Fat Albert."

I have read the John Paul Jones interview where he describes "filling the Nassau Colliseum" with deep bass from his "Fat Albert" prior to switching to Acoustic Control Corp. amps. JPJ described it as "the most amazing sound he had ever heard."

Apparently it was Univox tube head paired with a 2x15 reflex cab loaded with EV SRO speakers. Here's a link to an old advertisement. http://www.univox.org/pics/catalogs/uv-fatalbert.gif

So, my TB brethren, my question is: Does anyone own a "Fat Albert?" Any stories? Photos? Lets hear 'em.

D.M.N. · #2 12-29-2009, 02:15 PM

No stories, but I remember hearing about JPJ saying that too, so I'm interested as well.

**svtb15** · #3 12-29-2009, 02:26 PM

way back in the early 70s i played in a band on Long Island, NY. i was just a beginner then... The keyboard player that played in my band had a older brother that was a bass player too,,, and he played with some of the vanilla fudge guys... he was Teddy Schule .. Teddy had the actual prototype of that Univox cab that was made by Tony Frank ..

His was all black with grill on the front... his was loaded with Altec speakers.. and powered with a Marshall major 200 watt head.. the cab was huge.. but punched like bass should punch and like you really dont hear much on stages these days.

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkytoe

In my 30+ years as a bassist, I have played through a lot of backline gear and have owned my share of amps -- but I have never - ever - seen or played through a Univox "Fat Albert."

I have read the John Paul Jones interview where he describes "filling the Nassau Colliseum" with deep bass from his "Fat Albert" prior to switching to Acoustic Control Corp. amps. JPJ described it as "the most amazing sound he had ever heard."

Apparently it was Univox tube head paired with a 2x15 reflex cab loaded with EV SRO speakers. Here's a link to an old advertisement. http://www.univox.org/pics/catalogs/uv-fatalbert.gif

So, my TB brethren, my question is: Does anyone own a "Fat Albert?" Any stories? Photos? Lets hear 'em.

D.M.N. · #4 12-29-2009, 02:31 PM

Just did some searching, this site appears to have schematics for the amp. Not sure about the cab, which is probably pretty important to throwing around the amps tone.

http://www.musicparts.com/products.asp?Company=Univox

funkytoe · #5 12-29-2009, 04:13 PM

Head is identified as a 140 watt UX-1501. Matched cabinet for bass is the UX-1512 (the 2x15 EV SRO reflex). Again, would love to see an actual picture of the head/cab together.

KramerBassFan · #6 12-31-2009, 09:23 PM

If I could find one, i'd buy it in about... 2 seconds.

Just look at my profile.

These amps were really only made for a year, and pretty much the nicest/best amp Univox ever built. I've only ever seen two people who had them. ... and one of them got it for under $10 at a yardsale. "here, take this stupid POS radio..."

Univox (Unicord) imported Marshall amps, and also did alot of the warranty repair. Some Marshall amps of the time that were imported into the USA had Univox transformers. Also got converted to 6550's. SO if you have a Marshall amp with 6550's.... you know who did it. That'd be the boys at Univox.

If you wanna know anything else about Univox, i've done a fair bit of research, and feel free to ask.

On JPJ's fat Albert, he said it worked for some of the gig, got the best bass tone he'd ever heard, and then it blew up. My guess? The Univox techs wanted a big loud bass amp, and so REALLY cranked it up. Cranked up all the voltages to get the max output of it. So, JPJ plays it, CRANKS it up at a LZ gig, and it blows half way through. He said it pretty much melted, and just gave out. His Techs, not being stupid, could have easily swapped out a 6550 tube, if that was the problem. More likely than not, Transformer melted. Tech says trash it, JPJ said "... okay, now time to un pack the Acoustics".

Story time of the day.

Love me Some Univox Amps... one day i'll own these, from the Mobile OHM series...

BTW this rig belongs to TB member Chuck King. Credit where credit is due.

I bid on a U200B amp last Febuary, and got outbid by FIVE DOLLARs.... I dont like to talk about it...

But I do have a Lead on a U412 Right now...

KramerBassFan · #7 01-01-2010, 09:57 AM

Hm, May just get that U412...

Mario_1965 · #8 07-25-2010, 04:10 PM

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/IMG_0636.jpg

Jim C · #9 07-25-2010, 04:30 PM

Damn Mario,
How long have you waited to pull that photo out at the perfect time?

coreyfyfe · #10 07-25-2010, 05:18 PM

I love the look of that thing. The colors make it look like some 50's sci-fi robot or something. Totally awesome.

Mario_1965 · #11 07-25-2010, 05:54 PM

No drama intended. I just found the cab.

I still am looking for the matching 6x12 (aka 6 pack). Any help would be appreciated!

M0ses · #12 07-25-2010, 05:58 PM

The first thing I thought when I saw Mario's pic?

ROBOT.

coreyfyfe · #13 07-25-2010, 06:39 PM

It just needs some aluminum duct arms and legs

sl00py99 · #14 07-25-2010, 06:50 PM

@Funkytoe...I used to own a Fat Albert. Didn't know what it was called, only that it was a Univox. I think it had 4 6L6's in it and was a real thumper.

KramerBassFan · #15 07-25-2010, 06:53 PM

More pictures, please!!!

funkytoe · #16 07-26-2010, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sl00py99

@Funkytoe...I used to own a Fat Albert. Didn't know what it was called, only that it was a Univox. I think it had 4 6L6's in it and was a real thumper.

Yes. Pictures please if you have any.

funkytoe · #17 07-26-2010, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mario_1965

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/IMG_0636.jpg

THATS IT!!!! That's a Fat Albert cab. Mario, she's a beauty. Do you own her? Any chance of sound clips?

D.M.N. · #18 07-26-2010, 03:01 PM

Oh My God! There it is! It's like spotting Big Foot or something!

Love the colour combinations, definitely see the whole 50s Sci-fi B-Movie vibe, which is awesome. I would love to try that rig out, I bet it sounds pretty burly.

Mario_1965 · #19 07-26-2010, 04:38 PM

Thanks for the compliments. Yes I own it! I have 3 of the heads and gig them regularly for guitar. I am really not a bass player, but I just couldn't pass up the cab when I found it.

What I am really looking for is the "6 Pack" which was the guitar version of the Fat Albert. The head is an "all Purpose" unit. For guitar, I think it sounds great.

KramerBassFan · #20 07-26-2010, 04:49 PM

You have three of them!?