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1956 Gretsch Electromatic Twin Model 6161 Vintage Tweed Amp Valco-Made w/ 6x11 Speakers, Serviced
1956 Gretsch Electromatic Twin Model 6161 Vintage Tweed Amp Valco-Made w/ 6x11 Speakers, Serviced
Up for sale, a 1956 Gretsch Electromatic Twin Model 6161 in excellent condition and in perfect working order. Structurally identical to the famed Gretsch “Roundup” amplifier and the National-branded “Trem-o-Tone” (save for the cosmetics, naturally), this USA-made Gretsch amp was produced by the Valco company in Chicago, the OEM home of Supro, National, Airline, and several other brands. Perhaps most unique for its dual 6”x11” elliptical speakers and tweeter, the 6161 has a tonal profile all its own, delivering the sweet, saturated tube overdrive that is synonymous with the finest early Valco circuits.
Yielding approximately 14 watts of output power with a pair of vintage RCA 6V6-GT power tubes, this Electromatic Twin has a focused, midrange-rich quality that is articulate and dynamic, and there is a surprisingly wide array of tonalities on tap via the three inputs (Standard x2, Treble) and single Tone Control knob. The Tremolo is a bias-based design, atmospheric and warbling.
The circuit has been recapped as necessary, hand-wired on small terminal strips. The output transformer has been replaced with a similar vintage component (original included), and the original Hammond power transformer dates to the 50th week of 1954. The original pots are intact, and the amp boasts all new signal caps, also updated with a three-prong power cable. The tube complement comprises the pair of RCA 6V6 power tubes, with a 5Y3 rectifier and Sylvania and RCA valves in the preamp. The original Rola-made “Heavy-Duty” 6”x11” elliptical speakers have clean frames and date stamps from the 8th week of 1955.
The original lacquered tweed exhibits a fair bit of honest wear, and the original grill has a clean “Gretsch” silkscreen. The rear-mounted control plate is very well-kept, with pristine graphics; the Volume knob has been replaced. The leather handle has also been replaced. The small “Gretsch Electromatic” badge is present on the back, and the X-prefix serial badge dates to 1956.
Yielding approximately 14 watts of output power with a pair of vintage RCA 6V6-GT power tubes, this Electromatic Twin has a focused, midrange-rich quality that is articulate and dynamic, and there is a surprisingly wide array of tonalities on tap via the three inputs (Standard x2, Treble) and single Tone Control knob. The Tremolo is a bias-based design, atmospheric and warbling.
The circuit has been recapped as necessary, hand-wired on small terminal strips. The output transformer has been replaced with a similar vintage component (original included), and the original Hammond power transformer dates to the 50th week of 1954. The original pots are intact, and the amp boasts all new signal caps, also updated with a three-prong power cable. The tube complement comprises the pair of RCA 6V6 power tubes, with a 5Y3 rectifier and Sylvania and RCA valves in the preamp. The original Rola-made “Heavy-Duty” 6”x11” elliptical speakers have clean frames and date stamps from the 8th week of 1955.
The original lacquered tweed exhibits a fair bit of honest wear, and the original grill has a clean “Gretsch” silkscreen. The rear-mounted control plate is very well-kept, with pristine graphics; the Volume knob has been replaced. The leather handle has also been replaced. The small “Gretsch Electromatic” badge is present on the back, and the X-prefix serial badge dates to 1956.
$1,999.99
1956 Gretsch Electromatic Twin Model 6161 Vintage Tweed Amp Valco-Made w/ 6x11 Speakers, Serviced—
$1,999.99
Description
Up for sale, a 1956 Gretsch Electromatic Twin Model 6161 in excellent condition and in perfect working order. Structurally identical to the famed Gretsch “Roundup” amplifier and the National-branded “Trem-o-Tone” (save for the cosmetics, naturally), this USA-made Gretsch amp was produced by the Valco company in Chicago, the OEM home of Supro, National, Airline, and several other brands. Perhaps most unique for its dual 6”x11” elliptical speakers and tweeter, the 6161 has a tonal profile all its own, delivering the sweet, saturated tube overdrive that is synonymous with the finest early Valco circuits.
Yielding approximately 14 watts of output power with a pair of vintage RCA 6V6-GT power tubes, this Electromatic Twin has a focused, midrange-rich quality that is articulate and dynamic, and there is a surprisingly wide array of tonalities on tap via the three inputs (Standard x2, Treble) and single Tone Control knob. The Tremolo is a bias-based design, atmospheric and warbling.
The circuit has been recapped as necessary, hand-wired on small terminal strips. The output transformer has been replaced with a similar vintage component (original included), and the original Hammond power transformer dates to the 50th week of 1954. The original pots are intact, and the amp boasts all new signal caps, also updated with a three-prong power cable. The tube complement comprises the pair of RCA 6V6 power tubes, with a 5Y3 rectifier and Sylvania and RCA valves in the preamp. The original Rola-made “Heavy-Duty” 6”x11” elliptical speakers have clean frames and date stamps from the 8th week of 1955.
The original lacquered tweed exhibits a fair bit of honest wear, and the original grill has a clean “Gretsch” silkscreen. The rear-mounted control plate is very well-kept, with pristine graphics; the Volume knob has been replaced. The leather handle has also been replaced. The small “Gretsch Electromatic” badge is present on the back, and the X-prefix serial badge dates to 1956.
Yielding approximately 14 watts of output power with a pair of vintage RCA 6V6-GT power tubes, this Electromatic Twin has a focused, midrange-rich quality that is articulate and dynamic, and there is a surprisingly wide array of tonalities on tap via the three inputs (Standard x2, Treble) and single Tone Control knob. The Tremolo is a bias-based design, atmospheric and warbling.
The circuit has been recapped as necessary, hand-wired on small terminal strips. The output transformer has been replaced with a similar vintage component (original included), and the original Hammond power transformer dates to the 50th week of 1954. The original pots are intact, and the amp boasts all new signal caps, also updated with a three-prong power cable. The tube complement comprises the pair of RCA 6V6 power tubes, with a 5Y3 rectifier and Sylvania and RCA valves in the preamp. The original Rola-made “Heavy-Duty” 6”x11” elliptical speakers have clean frames and date stamps from the 8th week of 1955.
The original lacquered tweed exhibits a fair bit of honest wear, and the original grill has a clean “Gretsch” silkscreen. The rear-mounted control plate is very well-kept, with pristine graphics; the Volume knob has been replaced. The leather handle has also been replaced. The small “Gretsch Electromatic” badge is present on the back, and the X-prefix serial badge dates to 1956.
