Help Me identify this "THING". Thanks

[Butterbone]

Hi Fella's.

I'm not a music gear guy. I did however come into possession of a garage full of old studio and stage gear I am trying to identify and sell.

Don't get excited. I've already been told that the majority of it is not worth much because it is 70's-80's solid state and there are millions of them out there.

What I did want help with is this particular freak. No brand, no names, and no way for me to identify it.
There is no speaker anywhere. So it isn't an amp the way I think of an amp.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[LeftyStrat]

Looks like a stereo power amp, either home brew or possibly from a kit.

Whatever you do, don't plug it in. Those electrolytic caps are probably shot, and unless you have speakers connected you risk damaging the transformers

If you can pull it out of the case and take some closeups of the transformers, we may be able to give more info. If you part it out you're likely to get more than $100 just for the transformer set. If the tubes test good that could also be worth something.

If you can read any markings on the transformers or tubes, we might be able to give more info.

If you don't want to part it out, it would probably still snag a decent price on ebay. Like I say, a 'gut' shot to see what components are inside, and any labeling on the tubes and transformers would be info that could increase it's value.

[Butterbone]

That had to be one crazy stereo.

The thing is massive and weighs 50 pounds if it's an ounce.
It's easily a home made box but the thing inside is stamp cut steel I'm confident.

[LeftyStrat]

Can you see any markings on the transformers or tubes?. How many of the glass tube on one photo are there?

[Leo_Gnardo]

Looks like a custom build all right, late 40's to early 60's. May have been some band's PA amp. 50 pounds, I wouldn't doubt it. Tube gear ain't light.

Good luck on your sales. Post a link to your ebay auctions or let us know your ebay name so those interested can follow the auction action, if you're doing that.

[Phil_S]

The dial plates mounted with the pots are a great idea. Get them replicated and you can sell them on eBay, retire on the profits.

[Leo_Gnardo]

The dial plates mounted with the pots are a great idea. Get them replicated and you can sell them on eBay, retire on the profits.

Hmm I got a short stack of original unused plates like those. Thanks for the idea - KaCHING! Maybe I'll try to flog 'em here first. But retire? That ain't in the cards unless I get a serious lottery jackpot win.

[Butterbone]

So a second trip has hauled back even more old amp gear.

I'm having a hard time finding information about this stuff.

First there is a Multivox-Stradolin 554 amplifier.

El-Bee Two-Fifty amplifier

1972 Harmony model h1722. I found this on blue book but no idea what it's street value might be.

A KMD GS100HB with KMD GV115BZ cabinet.

Peavey model 215 cabinet

Peavey model tnt 1-15 bass cabinet

A 1960's Decca 6 string acoustic guitar
and a 1960's Kay classical model k70 something gibberish.

The El-bee cabinet is roughed up, and so is the stradolin, but they are supposed to work. I'm waiting for a buddy to come over and help me test them out so I don't blow anything up.


Any ideas or insights would be appreciated.

[Phil_S]

Many of these old amplifiers can't be safely powered up without servicing them first. Doing the wrong thing can blow the transformers or worse, and then your find is a big doorstop. If you don't know what you are doing, ask. You'll get help. Remember, once you let the smoke out, you can't put it back in.

[martin manning]

I'm not a music gear guy. I did however come into possession of a garage full of old studio and stage gear I am trying to identify and sell.

[Butterbone]

Sure I understand.

I'm comfortable with my understanding of magic smoke.
I've got experience with electronics. Mostly modern, but the principles are the same.

I've gotten all the amps working and they sound really nice but for the El-Bee. It has a rather significant buzz that stays prevalent no matter what you chance. I am going to go through the connections and see if there is a bad ground or maybe a bad solder spot.

I don't know brands. And years. And like anything else there has to be a period when tons of companies decided to stop making telephone boxes and starting cranking out low cost unbranded amps and music gear because they saw the money flying hand over fist for this type of stuff.

That is the information I am looking for. I am having a hard time finding back story for El-Bee.

And Stradolin.

And Harmony.

Also antique microphones.
I have a couple of suitcases full of crazy looking microphones with "F" type connectors. Most of them look like they were made before my grandparents were born.

[Leo_Gnardo]

they sound really nice but for the El-Bee. It has a rather significant buzz that stays prevalent no matter what you chance.

. . . suitcases full of crazy looking microphones with "F" type connectors. Most of them look like they were made before my grandparents were born.

Likely ol El-Bee need his filter caps changed out. One sure sign - that big buzz. Lucky to get away without it on the others. If you find their caps getting hot after 10-20 minutes, they want out too. Let's see some of those old mics! Sound intriguing.

[LeftyStrat]

That is the information I am looking for. I am having a hard time finding back story for El-Bee.

And Stradolin.

And Harmony.

Also antique microphones.
I have a couple of suitcases full of crazy looking microphones with "F" type connectors. Most of them look like they were made before my grandparents were born.

I've seen Stradolin and Harmony amps for sale. Unfortunately they don't command a high price simply because they aren't on a lot of people's radar, their pretty obscure.

You could put them on ebay and try to hit as many amp sites as possible to get some interest, here, ax84.com, el34world are some. For amp builders they would want some internal shots and shots of the tubes.

Like Leo, I'd love to see some shots of those mics.

[billc]

Looks like a custom build all right, late 40's to early 60's. May have been some band's PA amp. 50 pounds, I wouldn't doubt it. Tube gear ain't light.

Good luck on your sales. Post a link to your ebay auctions or let us know your ebay name so those interested can follow the auction action, if you're doing that.

Looks like a PA to me too, those non 1/4" connectors are old fashioned mic jacks, I have a couple of old '50's PA's that use them...but that makes the amp desirable and it should go quick on Ebay if the price is right, old PA's can be converted into excellent guitar/harp amps. The old mics should sell easily too, many are in demand by blues harp players.

[billc]

Many of these old amplifiers can't be safely powered up without servicing them first. Doing the wrong thing can blow the transformers or worse, and then your find is a big doorstop. If you don't know what you are doing, ask. You'll get help. Remember, once you let the smoke out, you can't put it back in.

unless it came from British vehicle wiring...har har...

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