A-Am  An-

info    updated 24/1/2010

Component info - date any vintage amplifier - effect

A common way of dating amplifiers and effects is to refer to date codes on components.  Here are some popular general resources - then read on to find specific brand information if available.

TRY THIS FIRST

http://www.guitardaterproject.org/potcodereader.aspx

Dating any amp - source codes http://www.schematicheaven.com/mods/datecodes.htm

http://www.provide.net/~cfh/pots.html (includes Jensen speakers)

Tubes, Capacitors, Transformers, Potentiometers (controls) & Resistors, and Speakers http://www.triodeel.com/eiacode.htm

http://www.webervst.com/codes.html (note there are 4 pages of codes here) and more again at http://www.webervst.com/morecode.html

Celestion speakers: Go to the drop down and go to "Chassis Date Secrets" http://professional.celestion.com/guitar/features/drdecibel/index.asp

Abbey

Abbey amplifiers were made in New Zealand

http://ozvalveamps.elands.com/index.htm

Ace Tone amps and effects made by Sakata Shikai of Osaka, Japan from the late 1960s-1970s. Later to become Roland/Boss.

http://tix.gozaru.jp/stompbox.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ace_Tone

Acetone catalog http://ushigomepan.cool.ne.jp/effect/catalogue.html

Acetone schematics

http://analogguru.an.ohost.de/

Images eBay:

Achillies Amps

Australian made replicas of classic designs, Springvale, Victoria, Australia

Made by "Labros Bogthanis since Jan - 2006 in Melbourne.

Dating Achillies Amps

Amplifiers are signed by the assembler, dated and given it's production number all engraved inside the chassis. The cabinets are also stamped with there matching chassis production number located inside the base of the cabinet. Speaker cabinets have a code on the inside base of the cabinet which matches the customers invoice number to inform what was ordered with the cabinet at that time. ie, type of speakers, tolex and other custom options. First 3 digits represent the production number and the last 6 digits represent the date it was completed. ie, DAY - MONTH - YEAR. Early cabinets were stamped ACHILLIES in block letters above the code, current cabinets have the Achillies logo head in the same place symbolizing authenticity and quality. This also prohibits unauthorized copies."

[Source and images Labros, email 21/5/2009]

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Achillies

Acoustic

http://www.vintageguitar.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acoustic_Control_Corporation

Acoustic amplifier schematics

http://www.el34world.com/charts/Diagrams.htm

http://www.schematicheaven.com/post70s.htm

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Bass+Amp/brand/Acoustic+Amplification

Acoustic Control Beach Boy Amp - Image eBay:

Acoustic Image

Amplifiers from Raleigh, North Carolina USA

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Acoustic+Image

Accugroove

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Bass+Amp/brand/AccuGroove

ADA

Analog Digital Association, Berkeley, California. 1977 to 2002. [Source: Vintage Guitar Price Guide]  Appear to be re-emerging in 2008-9.

ADA Depot - specialist site for this brand

ADA Schematics

http://www.schematicheaven.com/post70s.htm

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/ADA

Images ADA Flanger and ADA Rocket amp eBay:

Advance Tube Technology

Lombardo, Italy

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Advance+Tube+Technology

AER

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AER_Amplifiers

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/A.E.R.

Aguilar

Dave Boonshoft founded Aguilar amps with Alex Aguilar in 1995.  In 2004 Boonshoft became sole owner. New York, USA

http://www.myspace.com/aguilaramp

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Bass+Amp/brand/Aguilar

http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Aguilar

Ahed

Ahed Music Corporation, Ltd., established in 1969, changed its name in 1978 to Ahed Corporation, then became Eco Corporation. Canadian amplifier manufacturer. [Source: Wikipedia].

Brand included GBX  and Taurus

[Images eBay]

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/GBX

Aiken

Amps from Buford, Georgia, USA. 2000 to present.

The manufacturing date is written inside the chassis on Aiken amps. [Source: Randall Aiken, Aiken Amplification, email 5/2/2007]

search at http://www.vintageguitar.com

Aiken amp interview from Guitar Amplifier Magazine

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Aiken+Amplification

Amplifiers from the 1970s.  According to Garage AIMS amplifiers were designed by some former Fender employees who started the AIMS company. From the Ampage archive Aims amplifiers were made in Arizona and came with a lifetime warranty. Distributed by Randall Instruments. 

On an eBay sale an AIMS amp was made in Phoenix, Arizona.

Aims amplifier catalog

http://www.vintaxe.com/catalogs_american_aims.htm

Aims schematics

Free schematic Aims Producer 120

(paid site) http://www.musicparts.com/products.asp?Company=Aims

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Aims

Airline

Produced by Valco 1958 to 1968.

http://www.bellflowermusic.com/images/Amps/Airline%20Amp2.JPG

Amp in case http://en.allexperts.com/q/Guitar-General-649/Dating-Airline-Electric-Amp.htm

Airline amp schematics

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Airline

http://www.myrareguitars.com/airline18wattcombo1.html

see Valco

Image Airline amp eBay:

Alamo

Fair bit of history - the dating information is at the end of part II - search at http://www.vintageguitar.com

http://www.bellflowermusic.com/images/Amps/Alamo%20Amp2.JPG

http://www.myrareguitars.com/alamofuturareverb.html

Alamo Amp Schematics

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Alamo

Images Alamo Electronics Corporation, eBay:

Alden

Budget solidstate guitar and bass amps from Muse, Inc, China [Source: Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide ]

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Alden

Alembic

Preamps and effects

Alembic schematics

http://www.freeinfosociety.com/electronics/schempage.php?cat=1

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Alembic

Alembic forum http://alembic.com/cgi-bin/alembic-club/discus.cgi

Alesis

1992 to present. Broad range of sound gear, modelling amps, effects.

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Alesis

Alessandro

Amps from George Alessandro. Huntington Valley, Pennsylvania, USA

Dating Alessandro amps

"Since 1995.  Earliest amps had no SN. 1996- 1998 had SN above AC connector. 1998 - present has SN under left hold down chassis bracket on back part of chassis.

All amps have specs and build completion date on inside cover plate of chassis." [Source: Hounddogcorp, Alessandro Amps, email 19/3/2008]

search at http://www.vintageguitar.com

Allesandro amp article

Alessandro schematics

http://www.freeinfosociety.com/electronics/schempage.php?cat=1

http://www.schematicheaven.com/post70s.htm

Hound Dog Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Alessandro%2FHound+Dog

Working Dog Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Alessandro%2FWorking+Dog

Allen

Allen amps are from Walton, Kentucky. Handwired amps or kits. Tube amps and kits.

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Allen

Allied Radio

Allied Radio, 100 N. Western Ave., Chicago 80, Illinois. There are many brands in the Allied Radio catalog including Knight which is used on kits and amplifiers including guitar amps.

Image eBay:

Aloha

see Aloha in guitars

Alpha Omega Pedals

Hand built vintage voiced guitar effects pedals. Fuzz, Distortion, Overdrive, Modulation and Delay pedals.

http://www.guitarnoize.com/blog/category/guitar-effects/

Alpha and Omega Amps

Alpha & Omega Amplifiers is a small-batch tube-type guitar amplifier builder based in Albuquerque, NM.

Alron

Alron amps were made by H.B.C. Electronics in Napier, New Zealand sometime in the 1980s. [Source: NZ Guitars forum ]

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Bass+Amp/brand/Alron

http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Alron

Amdek

AMDEK (Analogue Music Digital Electronics Kits)‎

Amdek effects pedals were in fact made by Boss/Roland back in the eighties and were very popular in England. They were advertised in a music magazine(Electronics & MusicMaker),and were sold in a bubble-pack in Kit form (DIY). [Source: Boss Area Forum]

Sound on sound article

A big list at DiscoFreqs effects data base

http://tix.gozaru.jp/stompbox.html

Amdek catalog 198? http://brochures.yokochou.com/index.html

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Effects/brand/Amdek

Image eBay:

Ampeg

In 1946, Everette Hull established a partnership with Stanley Michaels under the name "Michaels-Hull Electronic Labs" to produce a new microphone pickup that Hull designed. The pickup was fitted on the end of an upright bass and was dubbed the Amplified Peg or "Ampeg" for short.  In 1949, Hull became the sole proprietor and changed the name of the company to the Ampeg Bassamp Company. In 1986, St. Louis Music, Inc purchased Ampeg. [Source: Ampeg ]

Ampeg reference books

Ampeg: The Story Behind the Sound

Ampeg History/ Info

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ampeg

http://www.fliptops.net/techinfo.htm

Dating Ampeg

Bluemuse page from the internet archive

Other

v4 http://www.ampegv4.com/

SVT http://www.stinkfight.com/2007/11/01/ampeg-built-to-last/

Ampeg ads / catalogs

2002 Ampeg Catalog  p2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12 13  14  15  16  17  18

2004 Ampeg catalog

http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/advertisements/ampeg

http://vintage.catalogs.free.fr/Index.htm

Ampeg schematics

http://www.drtube.com/guitamp.htm

http://users.aol.com/bluemuse/ampeg.html

http://www.freeinfosociety.com/electronics/schempage.php?cat=1

Ampeg Amp Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Ampeg

Effects

search at http://www.vintageguitar.com

http://tix.gozaru.jp/stompbox.html

http://www.geocities.com/stompbox2001/ampeg.htm

Effect reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Effects/brand/Ampeg

Image of labels from 1961 Ampeg Echo Twin and 1970 Ampeg, Linden New Jersey eBay:

Amplion

Radio speakers from at least the 1920s. Graham Amplion Limited of London, W. I

Radio museum

http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/3839/radio/speakers_a.html

Images Go Antiques and  eBay:

Ampower

Ampower amplifiers were made in Chicago 1940s

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Ampower

Images Ampower Model 80 Tremelo eBay:

Ampro

http://www.lowtek.ca/ampro/

Image Ampro Speaker cab eBay:

Amwatts

Specializing in hand made Speaker Cabinets and Ol' School Tweed style low wattage amps. Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

AMZ

AMZ schematics

http://www.freeinfosociety.com/electronics/schempage.php?cat=1