Description
A vintage 1960 Fender Super-Amp--one of the many classic amps of our vintage collection recently purchased from G.E. Smith. This is a rare "center volume" model, produced only in early 1960 and featuring the 5G4 circuit. The amp also features the original "pink" tolex, found only on early brownface amps. This Super has clearly seen plenty of use and is in player-grade condition. The output transformer has been changed, and one speaker has been replaced with a 1965 Jensen C10Q. Condition aside, this amp is a fantastic player and is arguably the best-sounding amp in the entire collection.
Like other brownface Fender amps, this Super has a big, deep clean tone with plenty of clarity. Yet it still retains the midrange "chunk" that is missing in blackface-era amps. It also features the coolest tremolo you have ever heard. A great fit for recording studios or serious players. This amp has been cleaned and tested. It is fully functional and sounds absolutely fantastic.
Overview
-Serial #: 00231
-Manufacture Date: March of 1960
-Power Output: 22 Watts
-Tubes: 5AR4, 6L6 (2), 12AX7 (5)
-Controls: Bass, Treble, Volume | Bass, Treble, Volume, Speed, Intensity | Presence
-Dimensions: 24'' x 18.5'' x 10.5''
-Weight: 42 lbs
Cosmetics (see phtotos)
-original Tolex
-original grillcloth
-replacement handle
-missing to back panel
Electronics
-one original or period correct speaker: 10" Jensen P10Q dated 220024
-one replacement speaker: 10" Jensen C10Q dated 220541 (1965)
-original power transformer & choke
-replacement output transformer (Mercury ToneClone FBS-O)
-many replaced resistors and caps
-original power cord
The G. E. Smith Vintage Guitar/Amp Collection
If you have ever watched the Saturday Night Live band back some of the greatest names in music, then you probably saw G.E. Smith on guitar. G.E. has been THE rock-steady guitar sound behind SNL, Hall & Oates, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, MoonAlice and many more.
Recently, G.E. had been thinking about selling some of the gear he'd collected during his long career. While looking for an established, knowledgeable and trusted buyer, he ran across our shop and liked what he saw. After checking out the store's bona fides, he decided to touch base with John Majdalani, Cream City Music store co-owner and head vintage buyer.
Fortunately, John and G.E. hit it off immediately, and G.E. asked John to come out east to see, in person, the portion of his collection he was no longer using. When John arrived at G.E.'s, he was invited down to the basement, and they spent the next 8 hours deep-diving through the whole thing: amps then guitars--all the while jibber-jabbering about gear, life, food and rock'n'roll war stories.
The collection turned out to be a total of 60 pieces--roughly 30 guitars and 30 amps...an astonishing wealth of great vintage gear. At the end of the long day, as John was packing everything into the truck, G.E. sat on the tailgate and played a goodbye tune on his old, trustworthy 1960 Black Beauty Les Paul.
Most of the collection is currently at Cream City Music and consists of some of the most extraordinary vintage pieces we have seen in many years. If you're in the area, it's truly worth a visit to the store to see this gear. If you can't make here though, take a look at our website and social media over the next few weeks to see these items as they are posted for sale.
