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General Vintage Technology Discussions For general discussions about vintage radio and other vintage electronics etc. |
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31st Jul 2017, 3:04 pm | #61 |
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Re: Bygone musical amplification manufacturers
Calrec seem to be quite alive as well
David
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1st Aug 2017, 10:42 am | #62 | |
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Re: Bygone musical amplification manufacturers
Quote:
I hope my extra info on Orange/Matamp was of value, though. Colin. |
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1st Aug 2017, 11:30 am | #63 |
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Re: Bygone musical amplification manufacturers
Colin, you're a mine of info, it was just that the idea of this thread was to reminisce about the UK brands of musical amplification equipment that are no longer with us - no matter where they may be made now; the Fenton Weills, the Birds, Custom Sound, etc etc. If we start listing companies that are still going (in whatever form) it confuses the issue, dilutes the intention.
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1st Aug 2017, 11:46 am | #64 |
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Re: Bygone musical amplification manufacturers
Just remembered another one, Sola Sound. It was one of the first amps I set eyes on. I'd just started work and met a guy there who played in a band. He asked me if I wanted to watch them rehearse one Sunday afternoon in a big, deserted (stately) hall. Of course I did. Alan was using a Sola Sound amp. I remember his telling me how one day he was 'off' on a solo, in the groove, and suddenly smelt burning. He looked around aghast to see his amp emitting clouds of smoke. Working in the electronics industry, he fixed it. I still bump into Alan occasionally and we get to talking about bands and equipment. And guess what? he's still using that same Sola Sound amp some 46 years later, never changed it!
Photo below off tinternet, not Alan's!
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1st Aug 2017, 11:53 am | #65 |
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Re: Bygone musical amplification manufacturers
Just found this about Sola Sounds Amps:
These are extremely rare! As you know, they are a stream off from Hiwatt, made for Macari LTD. The story goes as follows: “To subsidize its income at the time, HyLight Electronics also started manufacturing amplifiers under the SOLA SOUND name for Macari Ltd., one of the largest musical instrument distributors in the U.K. This arrangement only lasted for a short while as the popularity of the HIWATT amps were becoming more overwhelming on a daily basis.” (hiwatt.org)
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1st Aug 2017, 2:35 pm | #66 |
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Re: Bygone musical amplification manufacturers
Just thought of a UK designed and built amplifier, no longer with us; the Sinclair X-10.
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1st Aug 2017, 3:01 pm | #67 |
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Re: Bygone musical amplification manufacturers
Hardly suitable for the category of "musical amplification" - not even if it worked as claimed!
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2nd Aug 2017, 6:51 pm | #68 |
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Re: Bygone manufacturers of amplifiers used by musicans at performances.
re: post #69: I bought a Sola Sound Tone Bender from Macari's circa 1971, I didn't know they made amps too?
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2nd Aug 2017, 8:10 pm | #69 |
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Re: Bygone manufacturers of amplifiers used by musicans at performances.
Tiny snippet about the Sola Sound amp here.
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3rd Aug 2017, 10:13 pm | #70 |
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Re: Bygone manufacturers of amplifiers used by musicans at performances.
Grampian has been mentioned, so here's what Trix offered the musical types in the 30's.
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4th Aug 2017, 10:47 am | #71 |
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Re: Bygone manufacturers of amplifiers used by musicans at performances.
Nice one. What an art deco piece that mic/stand/amp/speaker is?! I bet you don't see many of those in charity shops for £2.50!
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4th Aug 2017, 10:52 am | #72 |
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Re: Bygone manufacturers of amplifiers used by musicans at performances.
Interesting that the Trix amp and the Grampian one are both AC/DC designs: I hope they used input-isolation transformers!
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4th Aug 2017, 11:01 am | #73 |
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Re: Bygone manufacturers of amplifiers used by musicans at performances.
I was thinking the similarly - isolating transformers at the microphone inputs, and preferably the microphone stand metalwork earthed, as well .
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4th Aug 2017, 12:11 pm | #74 |
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Re: Bygone manufacturers of amplifiers used by musicans at performances.
There were several 'shocking' moments in the early days of vocal / electric guitar use - especially when the two used seperate amplifiers, one or more might not have been earthed at all.
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4th Aug 2017, 3:26 pm | #75 |
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Re: Bygone manufacturers of amplifiers used by musicans at performances.
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5th Aug 2017, 10:54 pm | #76 | |
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Re: Bygone musical amplification manufacturers
Hi,
Roost I spent the first three years of my working life working at Roost, prior to it being sold to FAL in 1979. Quote:
http://www.manchesterbeat.com/gear/a...#cmtx_comments Terry |
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6th Aug 2017, 12:06 am | #77 |
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Re: Bygone manufacturers of amplifiers used by musicans at performances.
How about Fradan amps? Built in Leigh Lancs. The firm's name was Fradan Radio owned by Frank Dando. I seem to remember that they did an amp with a built in endless loop echo unit a la copicat.
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6th Aug 2017, 6:04 pm | #78 |
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Re: Bygone manufacturers of amplifiers used by musicans at performances.
Hi,
Another two manufactures come to mind: Center – I figure these were local to Essex as this was a small outfit, although I’ve seen some pictures of Steve Marriott in Humble Pie with Centre 4x12 cabs, although Steve Marriott did live in Essex. Beck – I remember one of these coming into Roost workshop for repair. Good days…. Terry Last edited by Valvepower; 6th Aug 2017 at 6:20 pm. Reason: Typo |
7th Aug 2017, 2:35 pm | #79 |
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Re: Bygone manufacturers of amplifiers used by musicans at performances.
Great stuff, thanks guys, keep em coming. And yes, I remember Roost and Beck.
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7th Aug 2017, 10:10 pm | #80 |
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Re: Bygone manufacturers of amplifiers used by musicans at performances.
Hi,
Another four: Dallas and Shaftesbury – I figure they were one and the same? TUAC – they did a 60Watt head/PA amplifier. Well known for thier PW and PE adverts in the 70’s. Have seen a TUAC amplifier re-branded as Norman. MM – Mixers and power amps etc. Canary – Mixers. Saw a name from the past in post #57 and that's the Otis amplifier. From memory, this was the brain child of the guy behind Rauch power amplifiers. Also, I believe Ben Duncan may have had an input into the design. I have one in the workshop. Terry |