Guitar Amplifier knowledge please

Discussion in 'Performing Arts' started by Valania, Jan 20, 2010.

  1. Valania

    Valania Member

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    I have recently aquired a Lafayette tube amp, but there seems to be limited information about them. From what I have found it seems that it is related to the "Univox" brand and is from the mid-sixties. Does anybody else own one of these? Or has played on them? Used to own one? Thinks they remember seeing one? Any information anybody has on this would most helpful.
     
  2. pit pat

    pit pat Member

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    i had a univox from the 40's or 50s, it was pretty durable, and worked for most styles
    it was a good amp
     
  3. zombiewolf

    zombiewolf Senior Member

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    Lafayette made amps for a lot of applications.
    Give us a description, pics, serial numbers... something!
    More info please!
    P.S. those little tube guitar amps usually sound cool as shit when you turn them up all the way!:cool:
    ZW
     
  4. Valania

    Valania Member

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    It does! It is really not a loud amp for it's size but when it is turned up with some fuzz added in it really sings. I will put up some pictures this evening.
     
  5. Valania

    Valania Member

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  6. Valania

    Valania Member

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    Hopefully those will be useful. I was unable to find any serial numbers..
     
  7. zombiewolf

    zombiewolf Senior Member

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    Sweeet dude! It's even got the Jensen special design speaker!
    I don't know the model, but those little vintage tube amps are highly sought after for the tone alone! There are "boutique" amp builders that do nothing more than clone those old circuits then use modern components and charge buku bucks for them!
    Take it to a tech shop and have them replace the tubes and tune it up a bit. You could replace them yourself but it probably needs new filter capacitors anyway (caps need replacing every 10 yrs or so)
    It looks like it's the 30 watt model, but I don't know. It should be plenty loud once you get it tuned up.
    Beauty score dude! :hurray:
    P.s. Is that a Tiesco "Del Ray" guitar in the background?
    ZW
     
  8. Valania

    Valania Member

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    Are filter capacitors something I could replace myself? It doesn't look terribly complicated.
    It is a pretty good little amp now that the pots are not so scratchy. And it is nice to be able to turn something up and get the tubes warm at home without shaking the house like my other amp.

    yeah! good eyes, that's exactly what it is. Unfortunately it looks as if it has been living in the back of a closet for 30 years and had some things tossed at it and that someone tried to play handyman with its innards, but it is now working!
     
  9. zombiewolf

    zombiewolf Senior Member

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    With a little knowledge and a soldreing iron, you can do it all yourself.
    here's a vid to get you started. Good luck!
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg3-dZC5Fww"]YouTube- MORE Tube Amps 101 - Draining Filter Caps - DVD on Repairs, maintenance and more!
     
  10. samson

    samson Hepcat

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    nice amp, man!
    Thats a beauty, and a fine amp to learn basic tube amp wiring on. Always nice to see vintage gear around here, so many folks go for new stuff that wont last and cant be worked on without shipping it to a different continent!

    let us know how it turns out
     
  11. Valania

    Valania Member

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    Thank you! I'll see what I can do with it


    You are right, I don't know why people go for the new solid states other than price, I guess. I can't see ever going back to one of those again.
     
  12. itsallgood

    itsallgood Senior Member

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    thats classy man...I hope you have fun
     
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