1961 Watkins Westminster 8 watts with an eliptical speaker cost £19.
Watkins became WEM in the 60s
Watkins became WEM in the 60s
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What was your first amp (old guys only)
- Thread starter TheCreature
- Start date
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Here it is:
A Heathkit 25-W mono tube hi-fi power amp that my dad built, along with the preamp, and the 15" Jensen woofer that we built a box for. That was in 1975.
A Heathkit 25-W mono tube hi-fi power amp that my dad built, along with the preamp, and the 15" Jensen woofer that we built a box for. That was in 1975.
Marlboro 25watt combo with an 8" speaker. Sounded like a little slice of heaven if played inaudibly. Then I got an AMpeg B-15 head (great amp) and a Sunn 1/15 speaker cabinet that sounded something like the farting of a sick cow.
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
My first was a Vox combo with a wheeled, chromed tubular steel, stand. Bought used in 1969; I don't recall any of the details.
Following that was my cherished '64 Fender Bassman (also used), which was my sole amp/cab until around '73 when I bought a new Acoustic 136 with an 18" folded horn; donated it to a local junior high school a few years ago (a buddy is the music teacher) - it's still going strong more than 30 years later, though my taste in amps has changed considerably during that time.
Following that was my cherished '64 Fender Bassman (also used), which was my sole amp/cab until around '73 when I bought a new Acoustic 136 with an 18" folded horn; donated it to a local junior high school a few years ago (a buddy is the music teacher) - it's still going strong more than 30 years later, though my taste in amps has changed considerably during that time.
A 1974 Fender Bassman 100 with a 4x12 cabinet. The speakers were arranged 1 on top, 1 on bottom and 2 on the sides, like a diamond, and all of the speakers were angled as if to make the sound waves meet at about 10 feet from the cabinet. Sounded great then and I still have it.
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
Jon R said:
Sound like you and I may have owned the same Vox!
At the time, I felt like an ice cream vendor wheeling that amp around, but it sure did the job - and it fit into a '67 Fiat 850cc fastback, too!
1984 - a Peavey TNT, 130 watts of bone-crushing power and 130 pounds of bone crushing weight...lol 
What's sad about that joke is its pretty close to the truth. I still have it to this day for a basement practice amp and not a single problem with it after 22 years. Sounds pretty good even by today's standards, I'd use it in public if I had to. 
What's sad about that joke is its pretty close to the truth. I still have it to this day for a basement practice amp and not a single problem with it after 22 years. Sounds pretty good even by today's standards, I'd use it in public if I had to. 
My first bass amp, was a old Kenwood home sterio amp, (mic. input jack) and a pair of JBL L-50 speakers.
Around 1975 my first amp was a Univox 1x15 Solid State Combo. Got it for Christmas along with my Epiphone bass.John Webb said:
The year 1976.
Traynor YBA-1 amp.
Traynor 6x10, and 2x15 cabinets.
I found them in the Buylines classified, which was then the best place to find used music equipment.
I paid $300 for everything, in great shape as well.
Lucky for me, the neighborhood that I grew up in, in Queens had a tavern on just about every corner. I used to wheel those suckers through the streets of NY, to jam, gigs and so on. Most of my friends, and I didn't have access to wheels back then.
Ah the good ol days.
Traynor YBA-1 amp.
Traynor 6x10, and 2x15 cabinets.
I found them in the Buylines classified, which was then the best place to find used music equipment.
I paid $300 for everything, in great shape as well.
Lucky for me, the neighborhood that I grew up in, in Queens had a tavern on just about every corner. I used to wheel those suckers through the streets of NY, to jam, gigs and so on. Most of my friends, and I didn't have access to wheels back then.
Ah the good ol days.
Exactly like that. The head needs cleaning and I need to replace the master volume pot, but all four tubes still light up and it sounds fine.Bassman62 said:
Peavey 300 combo. Loud, not that great of tone, heavy as crap, LOUD! Did I mention it was loud?
Kustom Bass Head w/cabinet, 2x15. Heavy sucker!
Gallien-Krueger 100 watt head, still have it, still works, never had a problem with it. Carry it in my van as a backup just in case. Has a handle on the side and very light & compact. Bought it back in the early 80's from GC. No XLR connection. 1/4'' input for speakers. Has lots of headroom for being a 100 watt head.
Carlo T.
Gallien-Krueger 100 watt head, still have it, still works, never had a problem with it. Carry it in my van as a backup just in case. Has a handle on the side and very light & compact. Bought it back in the early 80's from GC. No XLR connection. 1/4'' input for speakers. Has lots of headroom for being a 100 watt head.
Carlo T.
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