|
c |
info
updated 15/2/2010 |
|
Cage |
Cage Amplifiers
by A F (Pete) Cage,
Damascus, MD
 |
|
Callaham |
Since 1989. Bill Callaham, Winchester, Virginia, USA
Currently a guitar and parts maker. Made tube amps in the
past. Amps are featured on Callaham's internet archive
pages from 2000-2007 but not as at Jan 2009. Following and
images from their archive pages.
Callaham amps specs from
2000 Callaham web
 |
|
Camaro |
Made in Canada.
 |
|
Camelot |
Camelot 1960s Amplifiers made in
Japan.
 |
|
Carl Martin
 |
"Manufactured since 1993.
We use serial numbers but one has to mail in to get the exact
date, which we have." [Source: Soren, Carl Martin, email
24/3/2008]
search at
http://www.vintageguitar.com
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Effects/brand/Carl+Martin |
|
Carlsbro

|
Since 1959, Carlsbro Electronics
Limited, Nottigham, England
...all our equipment was issued
with a serial number which was stamped into the metal of the
early valve amps and then a self-adhesive number was applied to
the back of all subsiquent units. ( from about 1974 the
transistorised units also had a separate F/P number inside the
front panel to identify the model ).
There is no "date code system" to the serial numbers except for
the period 1988 to 2000 where the first two digits were the year
of manufacture ( to within about 6 months ).
All the serial numbers going back to 1973 are held in an old
archive of manually written books which are too numerous to
archive into an electronic file, so any enquiries about dates
etc need a search through them which can be somewhat laborious
as you can imagine.
I wish you luck with your project and if you find yourself with
a couple of free years on your hands, you can catalogue our
archive! LOL [source: Peter Longley, Technical Advisor, Carlsbro
Electronics Limited, email 12/2/2007]
Carlsboro 2008
Pricelist
Carlsbro
schematics
http://www.chambonino.com/carlsbro/carlwires.html
http://analogguru.an.ohost.de/
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Carlsbro
Carlsbro forum
http://www.carlsbro.com/forum/
 |
|
Carlton |
Made by Ray Carlton,
Melbourne, Australia
Carlton
schematics
http://www.schematicheaven.com/post70s.htm
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Carlton |
|
Carol-Ann Amplification |
Alan Phillips
is the owner of Carol-Ann Custom Amplifiers, LLC. a full
service custom boutique tube amplifier builder located in North
Andover, MA, on Boston's North Shore.
"The
business was formed in to a fulltime LLC in 2006, though there
are many amps out there that I've built since 1985, only amps
built after 2002 bearing the Carol-Ann
name. In the early days I built a few solid state PA power
amps as well as solid state and tube guitar amps. Most of the
early guitar amps were Marshall derivatives.
Dating Carol-Ann amps
Serial Numbers take a 6 digit form xxyyzz, where xx is the year,
yy is the month, zz is the production number for that month.
Limited edition amps may have a different numbering scheme that
makes it often impossible to tell the production date.
Some amps may not have had a serial number written on them
simply because that step was omitted during a very busy
production run. If any owners contact you with this scenerio, I
can provide the correct number for their amp.
The serial number is either
engraved or written on in black, red, silver or gold, It is
always located on the back panel.
Recently I've started
writing the number inside the chassis in gold pen too.
A couple of amps have
cryptic messages inside them. This was the case when I knew a
customer who was buying the amp was closely associated with
another Company and the amp would very likely be reverse
engineered. I don't bother about this any more. It is what it is
and I've chilled out about it.
Contrary to common rumour, I
don't goop production amps at all. With the exception of one amp
that was fully gooped with Military spec encapsulating compound,
I use a material that is an industrial black hot glue to protect
the circuit from physical abuse and to help shield sensitive
areas from induced environmental noises such as stage lights.
This material can be easily removed for servicing with the use
of an industrial hot air gun to soften it. I guess it does
prevent the passive onlooker from reverse engineering or from
taking meaningful photos of the circuits, but if someone wants
to know what's going on, removing the
material is real easy.
The name came from my sweet
Italian wife Carol-Ann. I built an amp for myself in 2002 when I
just moved to the States, right after we got married. To be
honest, we couldn't really afford it at the time and the way I
got around Carol was by naming the amp after her. I figured it
would make it more difficult for her to be mad at me."
[Source: Alan Phillips,
email 12/8/2008]
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Carol-Ann+Custom+Amplification |
|
Carr Amps
 |
" We started Fall 1998. All amps
have a serial number on the chassis and there is a tube chart
stuck to the inside wall of the cab that has the serial number
too. Most of the amps are dated on the tube chard and all are
dated inside the chassis." [Source: Steve Carr, email 21/3/2008]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carr_Amplifiers
search at
http://www.vintageguitar.com
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Carr
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Carr+Amplifiers
Images eBay:
 |
|
Carver |
Carver Amplifiers are made by
audio equipment designer Robert W (Bob) Carver.
Carver at wikipedia
http://www.proaudioreview.com/article/430
Carver schematics
http://www.schematicheaven.com/post70s.htm |
|
Carvin
 |
Since 1946. Founded by Lowell C
Kiesel who sold under the Kiesel name until 1949 when Carvin
brand was introduced.
http://www.carvinmuseum.com/whatmodelguitaramp.html
http://carvin.electricshockmusic.com/newsite/
Carvin catalogs and ads
http://www.carvinmuseum.com/otherads.html
Carvin
schematics
http://www.freeinfosociety.com/electronics/schempage.php?cat=1
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Carvin
Carvin forum
http://www.carvinbbs.com/
|
|
Caswell |
Since 2006. Tim Caswell,
programmable tube heads, California.
 |
Celestion
 |
Celestion speakers are possibly
the world's most famous guitar speaker brand. They were
made in England but sadly that is no longer the case.
Chinese manufacture is well underway. The following
information was provided to jedistar 13/9/2009:
"Here are some news on Celestion
speakers, namely Alnico Blue.
Celestion has now two versions of
the speaker, one made in England, one made in China.
There is no way you can differentiate between the two, no
stickers like made in china etc.
The China speaker is made for Korg
inc. They in turn manufacture a very famous guitar and bass amp
brand. Even the Beatles played these amps way back then.
My sources from the UK tell me
that there is no audible difference anymore in regards to
UK/China production of any Celestion speaker, but the point is,
we, the punters should know where things are made, at least that
is my opinion.
So here is the list
Alnico Gold and Blue UK
Alnico Gold and Blue for Korg
China
Heritage series
Greenbacks UK
Classic series
Greenback China
Vintage 30 China
G 12's China
Dating Celestion Speakers
Celestion speakers:
At this link go to the drop
down and go to "Chassis Date Secrets"
http://professional.celestion.com/guitar/features/drdecibel/index.asp
Label changes before and after Rola purchase
Identifying Greenbacks:
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=67646&highlight=dating
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Celestion |
|
Ceriatone |
Kits
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/CeriaTone
Image eBay:
 |
|
Cerwin-Vega |
In 1954 Gene Czerwinski, an
aerospace engineer, founded Cerwin-Vega. In 1957, Vega
introduced the world’s first solid state amplifier, rated at 125
RMS. [Source: Cerwin-Vega]
Image eBay:
 |
|
Challenge |
 |
|
Challenger |
by David Bogen
Callenger amp conversion

see Bogen |
|
Chandler |
J.C. Stewart Electric LLC.
Chandler Amps, Newtown Square, PA 19073 about 10 miles west of
Philadelphia
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Chandler+Amps
 |
|
Charvel |
Image Charvel
amp Yahoo auction:
 |
|
Checkmate |
Teisco, Japan. mid 1960s
http://www.guitarplayer.com/article/checkmate-guitaramp-combo/May-06/20042
http://www.larryjohnmcnally.com/Teisco/
http://www.preoccupationrecords.com/teisco/
http://www.mark-cole.co.uk/teisco/history.htm
Review
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/product/Teisco/Checkmate+17/10/1
Image
Guitar Shop:
 |
|
Cheshire Guitar Amplifiers |
|
|
Chicago Blues Box |
Since 2001. Dan Butler, Elmhurst,
Illinois.
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Chicago+Blues+Box
 |
|
Chicago Musical Instruments |
see
CMI Electronics
|
|
Clark Amplification |
Since 1995. Mike Clarke, Cayce,
South Carolina. Tube amps and effects. Builds accurate Fender®
and Marshall® replica amplifiers.
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Effects/brand/Clark+Amplification
http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2007/Dec/Review_Clark_Gainster.aspx |
|
Cleartone
Musical Instruments
(CMI) |
Note there are 2 CMIs.
In 1966 Jim
Marshall made a huge mistake and signed a 15 year arrangement
with international distributor Rose-Morris. Rose-Morris
marked up international sales 55% vs market rate at time of
around 15%. This limited the potential market for the
amps, hence not many were sold overseas. Under the terms
of the deal Jim was unable to market the Marshall name directly.
In order to keep turn over up Jim established other brands and
distribution arrangements for Marshall made products under other
names eg. Park. Jim founded a wholesale business Cleartone
Musical Instruments which sold Slingerland, drums and other
lines. He made the Park line for his friend John Jones and
distributed them under Cleartone Musical Instruments or CMI.
From 1976-1977 PA gear and a small number of guitar amps were
made under the CMI brand. [Source:
Jim Marshall, Father of Loud, By
Rich Maloof ]
Image
Treasures of Equipment:

Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Cleartone+Musical+Instruments |
|
CMI Electronics |
Chicago Musical Instruments (CMI)
was a musical instrument marketing empire created by M.H. Berlin. Berlin got his start at Wurlitzer's music store in
Chicago. In 1919 he opened the Martin Band Instrument Company,
renaming it the Chicago Musical Instrument Company six months
later. [Source:
Wingspread Records ]
Amps made by CMI
Electronics include:
Gibson Chicago Musical Instruments (CMI)
owned Gibson from 1944 until 1969. [Images eBay ]

Kalamazoo (Gibson budget
line) amps were made by CMI in Chicago from 1965 - 1967.
[Source:
Blows me away ] [ Image:
Kalamazoo Amp Field Guide ]

Maestro - A brand on a
broad range on equipment by CMI [Source and image
(GA45)
Wingspread Records ]

Sabre [Images
Sabre Reverb1 eBay:]

SG [Image: Craiglist]

Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/CMI+Electronics |
|
Collins Amplification |
"Manufacture started in 2002,
Oklahoma City Oklahoma
Tube chart inside cabinet lists date of manufacture, serial no.
and who it was made for." [Source: Collins
Amps, email 12/8/2008 ]
Image reproduced with permission Collins Amplification:
 |
|
Colorsound
 |
http://www.fetishguitars.com/mrt/index.html
http://www.jacquesstompboxes.com/page4.html
http://www.geocities.com/stompbox2001/newfinds.htm#swell
http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/effects.php
Colorsound
schematics
http://www.freeinfosociety.com/electronics/schempage.php?cat=1
http://analogguru.an.ohost.de/
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Effects/brand/Colorsound
 |
|
Columbia |
Images Yahoo auction:
 |
|
Comins |
Since 1992, luthier Bill Comins
built a Comins combo with George Allesandro in 2003.
 |
|
Companion |
Catalog
http://tix.gozaru.jp/other.html |
|
Coral |
1967-1969.
 |
|
Cornell/Plexi |
Denis Cornell, United Kingdom
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Cornell
 |
|
Cornford Amps
 |
"1997 was the 1st
Cornfords, and we have all of the dates at the office." [Source:
Cornford amps, MySpace message 9/4/2008]
http://www.myspace.com/cornfordamps
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Cornford
 |
|
Pete Cornish |
UK made effects.
Image Pete Cornish G-2 ebay
 |
|
Coron
 |
http://www.jacquesstompboxes.com/page3.html
http://www.locobox.com/coron.html
http://tix.gozaru.jp/stompbox.html
Coron
schematics
http://analogguru.an.ohost.de/
Review
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Effects/brand/Coron
Images Coron Overdrive 1980s eBay:
 |
|
Coronet |
These were the first Japanese
Department store solid state amps with discrete components
soldered to a tag board usually which were sold as Coronet in
Australiasia, and as Teiscos or similar elsewhere. [Source:
tdpri forum]
I remember that Coronet was the
brand I could afford in the 1970s while I was drooling at Twin
Reverbs.
Images eBay:
 |
|
Cosmosound |
Italian small amps with Leslie
rotating drums and effects pedals 1960s and 1970s
http://www.geocities.com/stompbox2001/page2.html |
|
Crafter USA |
Since 1986. Korean amps.
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Crafter
 |
|
Crate
 |
Produced since 1979. Early solid
state amps looked like a crate - hence the name.
"Unfortunately,
there is no [dating] equivalent for Crate. However, there were
only two serial number systems in place for Crate; pre 1988, and
post 1988.
The post 88
serial numbers coincide with the Ampeg system, but the pre 88
system is a little less organized." [Source: Scott Noel
Patterson, LOUD Technologies, email 27/3/2008]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crate_Amplifiers
Owners manuals
http://www.crateamps.com/html/manuals.cfm
Crate
schematics
http://www.freeinfosociety.com/electronics/schempage.php?cat=1
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Crate
see Ampeg
Image original
1980 Crate eBay:
 |
|
Creer |
Images Creer model 7700 eBay:
2 inputs , reverb and tremelo. The
speaker is a 10 inch and is labeled 25P30S V.C 80 Made in Japan.
The case size is 16" in height 12" across and 9" deep.
 |
|
Crown |
Made in Japan 1960s. Note example
below speaker Guyatone.
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Crown
Image eBay:
 |
|
Crowther Audio |
Effects from Paul Crowther, New
Zealand since 1976. Include the famous Hotcake.
Interview with Paul Crowther
Crowther
schematics
http://analogguru.an.ohost.de/
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Effects/brand/Crowther+Audio
 |
|
Cruise Audio Systems |
1999-2002?. Mark Altekruse,
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, USA. Tube and non tube amps.
Article
Cruise Audio Launched with
high-end guitar amps.
Website not on
archive past 2002. Following product list, specs and
images from archive:
Cruise
MQ4 Multi-Quartet 2 x 12 Combo
Four Channels of Outrageous Tone--plus channel Blending, Wattage
Selection and much more!
Specification
Cruise
MQ4H Multi-Quartet Head
The Ultimate All-Tube Head (specs as for combo above)
Cruise
412S/A
A very toneful 4 x 12 cab!.
Specification
Cruise
212S/A and 212/S
Cruise 2 x 12's: a standard straight front and a new angled 2 x
12.
Specification
Preamps Stock and Custom Shop
Specifications
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/brand/Cruise+Audio
 |
|
CTS |
Chicago
Telephone Supply,
1896: Company is
founded in Chicago by A.J. Briggs and his son, George, as
Chicago Telephone Supply Company.
1902: The company moves to Elkhart, Indiana.
1960: Name is changed to CTS Corporation; it had been
known informally as CTS for many years.
1962: CTS goes public on the New York Stock Exchange.
[Source and detailed history
Funding Universe]
Grew from telephones to radio in
the 1920s - exited the consumer electronics market in late
1970s. Speakers still made till at least 1986 as they appeared
in a catalog of that date. [Source:
The Gear Page]
Square magnet speakers - Image eBay:
 |
|
Custom Sound |
Custom Sound amps were made in
Leeds, UK. This example was made in 1984.
 |
|
Custom
Tones Inc |
Maker of the Ethos Overdrive, USA
 |
|
next |
|