HawkeyeKane
994 posts
Jun 18, 2012
2:23 PM
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A while back I was corresponding with Joe Goforth, who aquired the rights to the Kalamazoo brand name and is now patenting his own take on the Model One. During this time, he recommended I check out a luthier friend of his in Mendocino County, CA. (Greg, maybe you know them or know of them...?)
I admire the guitar craftsmanship, I gotta say. But what really piqued my interest was the amplifier they offer.
It's a fresh take on the old Amp-in-Case units made by Silvertone in the 1960's. They typically build them out of steel and aluminum to fit inside a hardshell Strat case, but I've been in touch with them, and the proprietor said they can custom build them to smaller scale...say maybe...a harp case? ;-)
Anyways, 5 watts, two 12AX7's, an EL84 power tube, two gain controls, a v/c, and a tone knob. Four jacks for input, speaker out, line out, and headphones out. Shielded and grounded. Well ventilated. He's looking into what the smallest size unit is that they've built so far to date so I have an idea as to what my options would be for a case to mount it in. Also said they'll make the output impedance to buyer's preference. I'm really intrigued that someone out there is reviving this concept. It could be very advantageous to have a single case to house all my gear.
Fritz Brothers Amp in the Case
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Hawkeye Kane
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Greg Heumann
1648 posts
Jun 18, 2012
5:31 PM
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I haven't heard of them - but feel free to point 'em my way for harmonification validation. I'm about an hour and a half from Mendocino.
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/Greg
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HawkeyeKane
995 posts
Jun 19, 2012
6:29 AM
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Harmonification validation....I like that. :-) Just so you can give it a whirl with a harp & mic I'm guessing? If so, and they follow through, do me a favor and blow it through a CTS 10" like on a stock 'Zoo. That oughta set the benchmark.
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Hawkeye Kane
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Greg Heumann
1651 posts
Jun 19, 2012
7:51 AM
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OK. I'm on their way to everywhere (like San Francisco and Santa Rosa) but the reverse isn't true. So if they're willing to drop by my shop some day, I'm happy to accommodate.
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/Greg
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HawkeyeKane
996 posts
Jun 19, 2012
8:28 AM
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I wrote them and passed along your invitation.
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Hawkeye Kane
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HawkeyeKane
1002 posts
Jun 19, 2012
7:15 PM
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And though im now on the fence as to what i wanna do with it...this typewriter case would make a good speaker cab to go with it.
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Hawkeye Kane
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clyde
279 posts
Jun 19, 2012
7:17 PM
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or the perfect harp case?
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HawkeyeKane
1004 posts
Jun 20, 2012
9:25 AM
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@clyde
This is also true. Luckily for me, my wife frequents our local Goodwill stores and is a yard sale junkie on a weekendly basis, and she said she sees typewriters in cases like this one all the time. So with any luck, I can get a few more and use the cases for multiple applications. Converting one into a harp case with plenty room for all my harps, my main mics, and the prospective Amp-in-Case would seriously trim down my luggage to a gig.
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Hawkeye Kane
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SuperBee
324 posts
Jun 20, 2012
3:03 PM
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Seriously trim down luggage to a gig? I made a case for harps mics leads and pedals plus power supplies and miscellaneous spares, tools, adaptors. That's good, tidier, easier to find things, don't lose things. In the other hand I carry a combo amp. That's it. I can't figure how putting an amp in a case, with a speaker, would make things better. Seems it would likely be a bit of a pain on stage. And your stuck with lugging this little amp around all the time, whether you like it or not, appropriate for gig or not. Either that or have a different case and swap all your other stuff into that when you don't want to take this little amp. Nah, not my bag. And the way you like your amps, I can't see you committing to this one for long ;-) I'd say don't do it, spend the dough on your missus instead.
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HawkeyeKane
1008 posts
Jun 20, 2012
6:21 PM
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@SuperBee
Guess I shoulda clarified my idea a little better. What I had envisioned is very similar to what you're describing on your rig. Picture two of these typewriter cases. One has been converted to hold my harps, two mics, a cable or two, maybe a pedal, and the amp-in-case unit. The other typewriter case is converted into a speaker cabinet that the amp-in-case runs from the first case onstage, and lined out to the PA depending on the gig. Or even a bigger speaker cabinet like my Univox if need be. Either way... two pieces of luggage to get the job done.
I may not even go that route. I've got several other ideas on what to do with that case. I could get a 5F1 kit to put in it, or a Valve Jr head chassis with LW and BitMo mods...the possibilities are seemingly endless at this point.
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Hawkeye Kane
Last Edited by on Jun 20, 2012 7:27 PM
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SuperBee
326 posts
Jun 20, 2012
8:51 PM
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Well, I suppose it gives some flexibility about speaker placement relative to your amp control panel. I'll be interested to hear how it works out.
Personally I don't really get on well with little amps on the bandstand, but I know some do fine. I dunno how you do that.
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Last Edited by on Jun 20, 2012 11:10 PM
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