I missed out on one yesterday for $150.00. It did need a little work and not sure how much? Just wondering if this would have been a good Harp Amp. It looked in great condition and it's the one the Head tucks into the back of the speaker cabinet. it had the original Jensen speakers I believe. Any info appreciated. The guy that got it is an amp repairman. ---------- And I Thank You !! KCz Backwoodz Bluz
Last Edited by KC69 on Jun 24, 2017 8:10 AM
So this Amp guy has an amp he wants to sell me. It is a late 40s or early 50's tube amp. It is a "Keneko" Amp built in Fostoria, Ohio. Pushes about 8 watts. This amp guy is a good repairman and has done great work on both my Masco's. He wants $300.00 for the Keneko Amp. It is the Maestro model.It has an 8 inch alnico speaker and the tubes are (5y3; 6v6; and 12ax7) Any tips or thoughts??? ---------- And I Thank You !! KCz Backwoodz Bluz
Last Edited by KC69 on Jun 24, 2017 8:33 AM
Depends on how you intend to use it. Could be lovely for the bedroom or studio, but I've yet to hear 8" and 5-8 watts sound anything but shrill, if it could be heard at all, with a band when cranked. That's just my humble perpective. I know folks will keep buying and swearing by their champ clones, regardless. Power to 'em.
Last Edited by PeterG on Jun 28, 2017 6:37 PM
$150 would have been a great deal but a twin twelve would not be an optimal harp amp for me. Too much of a stage footprint for most of the joints I play and I'm no Rod Piazza. The thin cloth covering and thin plywood construction aren't a deal breaker but you do have to baby them a bit more than say, a vintage Fender. Re: the Keneko. As PeterG said, a 5W amp ain't gonna cut it with a band unless you mic it. For years I used a 5W Supro with a mic on it for that one-trick pony crunch tone and just played the clean stuff through the vocal mic. My needs have changed though. $250-$350 seems to be the current going price for an interesting 5W vintage amp that has been gone through. The two pictures I found online of a Keneco were MOTS covered amps that looked like Valco made lap steel amps. Your amp tech would probably know.
I have the early 50's combo version with 4 6L6 power tubes and master volume. Silvertone 1346. This is my second one, first was a slightly later version 1336 owned by Kim Wilson, big tone, great for harp. I'll sell the 1346, but not for 150.00.
I played through a twin 12 Silvertone in a pawn shop about 15 years ago and it sounded great for distorted tube harp amp sound. A young harp player from a local blues band who happened to be there told me it sounded "sick". It weighed a lot, and my recollection is that it was not bargain priced at that time. I couldn't afford it, not having saved enough gig money.
Around that time I began to gradually buy a few tube PA heads on Ebay, each for under $100 a piece. After getting them serviced and new caps it added some $$, but they were made for mics and sound good with harp. I plan to sell a couple soon, because I now mainly play clean harp through a PA. I will still have more than enough tube amps left for when I need that sound.
I plan to take one or two heads to SPAH, maybe with a cab or two, and put them up for sale at the swap meet. I may bring a Stromberg-Carlson AU-57, 26 watts, 2-6L6s, with 3 XLR and one 1/4 input. It really looks cool, but I just have not been playing gigs that could use it. I also have a Stromberg-Carlson Sig22, 2-EL84s around 22 watts, 2 - 1/4" inputs. I used it a couple years ago at a gig, but I had several other amp choices. I may sell a couple mics, too. Selling at SPAH I wouldn't have to figure how to ship them safely.
It is time to downsize my gear collection and let someone put the gear to good use. No point in letting it sit in a closet until my spouse has to dispose of it all! ----------
Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Jul 01, 2017 10:09 AM
Yep, what he said. I have the 1484 and a 1485 head. I paid 50 bucks for the Twin Twelve w/the Fisher 12's. Played that SOB untouched for 5 yrs!. Finally gave it a cap job. These old Silvertones are not easy to work on. Goofy power supply and wireing looks like clown barf! Anyhoo, the big Sears amps are clean or dirty depending on your lean. You WILL be heard with a Twin Twelve.
