Noah Miller
From:
Rocky Hill, CT
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Posted 27 Feb 2010 8:43 am |
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Up for grabs is a 1941-42 Oahu 397K amp. This amp was built by National-Dobro/Valco as a lap steel amp, but of course it works fine for Spanish guitars as well. The amp is all original save for the usual cap replacements. It was serviced recently, and the only remaining issue is the volume pot, which for some reason doesn't turn the volume all the way down. Otherwise, there is no hiss, hum, scratchiness or speaker issues.
The amp puts out 8W (that's a very quiet 8W) through the 8" Rola field-coil speaker. It uses one 6N7, one 6C5, one 6V6 and a 5Y3 rectifier. The volume control affects the top input only (as it should, according to the 1941 Oahu Catalog); the other input is kept at a set volume.
The amp's tone is very warm and clear; there isn't much overdrive on tap, but with a clean boost pedal it can really roar. It sounds great for guitar - especially jazz and blues - and it absolutely sings with a lap steel.
I bought the amp on something of a lark, and I've decided that I can get similar enough tones from my Juke that it's not worth keeping both amps. I'm asking $330 including shipping within the continental US. No international sales, please. I would also be interested in trading for another small tube amp, preferably something with more high end (to compliment an electric 12-string). Old and obscure amps are particularly welcome, and I can throw up to $300 into the trade as well.
More images:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2803/4392302318_b2df2345f7_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4035/4391533077_3848250618_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4391533035_74ed82ddd5_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2761/4391532981_496df2b883_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2801/4391532957_8ce4354891_b.jpg
Here's a video demo that I made of the amp. |
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