Vintage (1950s/1960s) Supro/Valco Amp Info?

[VILLANOVA]

I'm interested in learning about the different models for these amps. Does anyone have some good information to start me off? Things such as what models were released, average price nowadays for them, and specs.

Educate me!

[mad dog]

Villa:

The Magnatone/Valco group on yahoo is deep in expertise on these and all sorts of older amps. It's primarily Magnatone, but seems like everyone who owns maggies goes for other oddball types. It's worth joining. Very helpful people there.

Michael D.

[PorkChop]

here is something i posted in another thread

I pair my 59 DC up with Valco amps (Supro, National, Gretsch. etc....) don't know how many watts you are looking for but I rock either dual 6973 models for volume levels (dirty) you can compete with drums with or the single 6V6 ones when the Mrs. watches TV in the other room, no pedals, just sweet raw rocking junior tone. Very responsive amps that you can get a good control of breakup with your pick attack, which is the beauty of juniors anyways to me. I have some pics in the "some junior pics just because thread" with a Supro 1624 that is a magical combo with the junior. Valco made the same circuits under many names and you can find all kinds of gems for much cheaper than vintage fender amps. I have 14 right now, which is oh so much more than plenty, and I need to sell to fund a 57-58 single cut version but most of them I got between $200-400, they all sound great, and we all know how serious GAS can be. Another, tip the Gretsch 6152, Supro, Oahu or Excelsior tremo-verb, Airline 9025A, National N6422 or any of the other single 6v6 with tremolo and reverb models, some (2 out of 4 for me) have a quirk where the reverb control doesn't add reverb but gain. Just dial in the extra gain you want from just a lil more pick attack to uncontrollable horrendous feedback. If the reverb does "work" it is a mild slapback, which is perfect for me. I know this is long winded but I swear by the Junior single P90 setup (Epiphone Coronet does the trick to) and the Valco pairing.

gretschpages.com, and Valco amp site devoted to Supro, National Valco made amplifiers have limited info harmony central reviews are helpful. I learned mostly just by following ebay auctions. info is pretty hard to track down, but that is the beauty, most people aren't hip to them, so you can really score some killer amps cheaply!