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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Just got another vintage amp - Noble Victor
Just got another vintage amp - Noble Victor
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LittleJoeSamson
292 posts
May 27, 2010
1:07 AM
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Like I NEED another amp ! This is a 1960 tu-tone ostrich-skin tolex, B&W.
It was actually a rebranded Ampeg Rocket, marketed by accordionist Don Noble for the budding accordionist in the late '50s/early '60's.
The Ampeg Rocket ( a jazzed up Jet ) is not too common. This Noble is way more rare.
Comes with glass bottle 6SL7's in the pre-amp stage, two 6V6GT's for power and a 5Y3GT rectifier.
Power tubes had been replaced with RCA's from 1960. Optimium, but a bit too strong for harp. I pulled one and replaced with a CBS Hytron greyglass. Will experiment with '56 GE blackplates and '49 Raytheon Black bottles.
Sucker's LOUD, but unbelievable tone.
Speaker is a small magnet Jensen P12R.
I tried it with my hi-z stick mic and the line transformer. Had to use the lo-z setting. ( otherwise MEAN feedback ! )
Amp has THREE inputs- guitar, accordion, and "mike".
Will need to experiment here.
Volume and tone knobs. tried diming the tone, but was unusable, as volume any above 0 and immediate feed. ( this might take some work )
There is also tremolo, with the original footswitch, and speed and intensity pots....but it's not necessary for harp.
For a look at one similar: http://www.ludlowguitars.com/item/victor
A friend of mine gave me a friendly deal on this. Not cheap, but fair. He knew that I could use it well.
Anyone have anything like this ?
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LittleJoeSamson
293 posts
May 27, 2010
12:29 PM
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I forgot to mention that I noticed it having the original two prong plug. But, I was anxious to hear how it sounded in a club setting, so I took it to a local jam last night. Sounded terrific, using the "mike" input and volume and tone both around 4. While playing, I went to place a harp on top of the PA and must have lighly touched one of the hold down bolts. BZZZAPPP! Was lucky to be wearing rubber soled shoes! Nothing blew, but was I careful afterward. Don't want to be a legend like Keith Relf !
Went to work this AM, retroing a ground, while using the original cord coiled up inside.
In looking inside, sure is simple, and the guts almost look new. Exterior has a few blemishes, but it's in beautiful shape for a 50 YO amp.
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LittleJoeSamson
294 posts
May 28, 2010
3:18 AM
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OK....found out that definitions are not the same with this amp as compared to others I have or am familiar with. TONE is pretty much a LEVEL or E/Q adjuster...with 0 being bass and 10 being super clean treble. VOLUME is DRIVE or GAIN.
"MIKE" input is the hottest. Using my hi-Z stick mic with a line trans on lo-Z ...zeroed the tone and V-7 for low notes...A harp and lower.
Higher pitch keys have that Butterfield tone at V-5 & T-5.
For the classic Little Walter tone: #2 Accordian input with the Hi-Z V-3 & T-2
For The Jerry McCain / Big Walter deep tone there are two cool settings: #1 Git input w/ lo-Z @ V-5+ & T-5+, OR #2 Super Muddy , lo-Z, V-8 & T-0.
Swapped the greyglass HYTRON 6V6gt for a blackbottle Raytheon labeled DELCO, 1949. Turns out these are oldstock milspec VT-107-A's designed for WWII tanks. Extra thickness is visible, even without reading glasses ! Super ruggedized and rebranded for use in domestic GM vehicle radio's.
I name my amps; and since this is an Ampeg Rocket derivation, have decided on "Blanche"...in memory of Blanche Stuart Scott, who removed a blocking wedge from one of Glenn Curtiss'es planes, and became the first American woman to pilot an airplane...WITH NO TRAINING WHATSOEVER !
She literally "stole" it.
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LittleJoeSamson
298 posts
May 30, 2010
6:36 AM
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Update: first off, took this to my amp/radio tech wiz .
He let me pick thru his stock of 100+ 5Y3 variants. I pulled a GE labeled but prolly Sylvania mfd. 5Y3WGTB/6087 for the USN . POWERFUL rectifier!
Gave it to me. Get this...date code is same as the Amp!
I had a surplus Mullard EF86 solid nickel plate that I gave in return. Fair deal.
What a difference! The rig had a standard 5Y3GT Sylvania ( which was good, but trebly ). This NOS one gives a full range, and opened it up.
I also tried a tube swap in the pre-amp section of a 6SN7 for one of the 6SL7's.
Not good. Too much drop in gain.
Looking to get some 6SL7WGT's to improve upon the stock ones.
My friend just gifted me a pair of black bottle RCA 6V6's from '59 ...one at 110% and the other @ 95% .
Sound good...but i think the Raytheon better.
I have some GE blackplate to try out as well.
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