Tools, Tones and Toys for Guitarists
Another AWA valve PA amplifier from the PA100X series, from the late sixties. Very utilitarian looking, and very sturdy. It’s a little bit tight in the chassis – not much room to work in there. AWA PA1005 PA AMPLIFIER Standard mic, PU (record player) and tone controls. Bass cut control on the rear, which is … Read more
Such an awesome looking little amp from 1954. Photos from an online listing, I am yet to track one down in person. For a simple single-ended 6V6 based amp, it’s an interesting circuit. AWA MODEL PA-806 PA AMPLIFIER Standard inputs and controls for a small Australian PA amp from AWA. Inputs for a mic, turntable … Read more
This amp is a bit of a classic from my hometown, Brisbane. Vase Trendsetters were very common back in the day, and many are still floating around. If you couldn’t afford a Marshall, there was a good chance that you had a Vase. They were mostly fairly simple amps, and pretty well made – I’d … Read more
I saw this one pop up recently and decided to take a punt on it (thanks Damian). For the money, I figured it was worth a look even if it only ended up being a decent chassis and set of transformers. Turns out that this amp is a testament to the quality work that Goldetone … Read more
I posted another AWA PA872 a while back, but realised I never actually shared this one. It had been sitting on the shelf for months – one of those projects that was nearly there, but never quite finished. I finally got around to wrapping it up this weekend. This looks to be an earlier unit, although … Read more
Philips 976B – I have had one previously that I documented here. PHILIPS MODEL 976B VALVE PA AMPLIFIER This is a small Australian-made valve PA amplifier from the mid to late fifties – about 8 watts, intended for 100v line systems running multiple speakers. These were also sold as Steanes Sounds Systems using the … Read more
This is a Goldentone 1776, which is essentially a Goldentone 1774 with trem. It had been reshoused in a 2 x 10 cab with Oxford speakers (one ceramic, one alnico), with the amp chassis mounted on the bottom, with the control panel up the top. The amp would have been mounted the same way in its original … Read more
This one’s a rare find – a Communication Systems of Australia valve PA head, ~35 watts from around 1967 / 68. It’s super clean, fully functional, with all parts within spec. Anyone familiar with vintage Australian guitar amps will recognise the front panel straight away: it looks just like a Goldentone. That’s no accident. These … Read more
