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I don’t really know when they harmonized the procedures but these tests have been around since the 30s. With VTs, they are incredibly rugged when cold but become mechanically brittle when at operating temp. Not surprising that the military was involved from day one...
They were good quality solid reliable amps. Their ss stuff was commonly seen in paid rehearsal spots...perception can be strange..
When I was interested in the Traynor Bass amp, it was bigger and badder than anything else available(in my area)that was 'affordable' and[sorta]portable. It's a loooong time ago but IIRC I was looking at a 200W head and 412(?)cab-I think. I did later-mid 70s-buy a blue line SVT/810* rig('cos that's what all the "cool" bands had). It was OK, but for the money,
.<ETA>IF I'da been smarter 
, I'da used my good ole 200w/2x15 Kasino[see pic] and saved the $ I spent on the SVT rig. "Too soon old, too late smart(er)"'
The folded horn, for sure. I had an Acoustic 408 cabinet that was physically bigger than a 'fridge and bigger than a 361 cabinet. It had four 15s but was about half a ton lighter than the 361. I sometimes wonder why I didn't keep that stack, with a 320 head. Then I fire up the 360 and remember why it stuck around instead.
but i wonder which of the cabs weighs more..
Yep. Drill enough holes and the color changes. It is a secret Thunderbird feature.
Buyers remorse, I guess. Who knows. I would rather have a vintage Thunderbird, but I still would love to play it to find out what it does. Who knows, my mind can change. It is still out of my current disposable income range.
It is back dive. Power section in the bottom of the speaker cabinet with WHEELS! Problem solved. Power section in the head unit is a dumb idea. Like putting the upper strap button in the wrong place on a Thunderbird.
Yeah. What fool would do that?
as intuitive as that sounds, don't think a tube power amp would function reliably for an extended period of time sealed up in that folded horn the way ACC implemented their ss power stage......not to say it wouldn't be a worthy experiment....always wondered about the mechanical coupling effects of a powerful driver in that type of enclosure in proximity to the tube stage that drives it and the inherent interaction of that mechanical feedback mechanism....one that to this day modeling guitar amplifier algorithm gurus have trouble characterizing...
Drop testing standards have been around for a good long time. I was designing drop test stands to ASTM specifications for packaging claims back in the early 1980's and they had been around long before that,
...Thunderdust!
But all those tubes sure make a Thunderbird sound pretty.
This was my perception in the late 70s as well. Used a Traynor some and had not problems. Ended up buying a Peavey MkIV, I believe it was. Great head. Very versatile and warm for a SS head. Made my '64 Thunderbird sound awfully good back then.
They do sound magically different and feel better than any other iteration I've played. (The VP does do in that direction, but doesn't have that massive sound.) If you're ever in the Louisville area you're more than welcome to give my old Tbird and Embassy a whirl. There's something very special about the sound of my old Thunderbird that the other just don't have. The looks have been copied, but not the sound. Maybe I got a good one.
