Ampower Model 80 112 Combo

An early '50s Ampower 80: possibly the only model they made, they all seem to be this one. Mine is old, worn, dirty, spooky...over a year ago at $200 I put in a minimum bid on ebay for fun, as it was supposed to work...and it did/does. When it came I plugged in an available Harmony Rocket and was impressed, then I put it away for a year: now it's OUT for weekly gigs for harp playing. Of the two channels (trem doesn't work as seems typical) I use the non-trem channel as I can turn the tone all the way down, volume all the way up and with a similar-age Shure 51 mike (echo-y metal diaphragm model), it's the LITTLE WALTER HARP SOUND! For my investment it's unreal and the weird ancient look baffles all. Best of all, it just keeps working, no hum/smell/smoke, remarkably durable, notwithstanding the trem.

The overdrive for harp playing on the non-trem channel with volume up, tone down, is...it. Also amazing for guitar on either channel, as with old hot DeArmond pickups.

It almost baffles me that it's been working so well, so effortlessly. I did have to put half a roll of electrical tape on the original power cord but that's my issue in not getting around to giving it a proper grounded cord, of which I have a dozen+ from old computers.

Not applicable: but what kind of flash-in-the-pan company built all these model 80s and then seemingly vanished?

Beyond the value, considering what vintage tweed-era Fenders fetch (~10+ times of these: a very clean Ampower 80 just sold on ebay for $300), this has THE tone as well as the crazy ancient look. I've played for a few decades now, my other amps are a Fender Pro Junior tuber for acoustic guitar (Gibson J-55) and a DeArmond Bassist 1 for bass (pbass copy). I play blues, old country, alt country, folk, folk-rock, rockabilly, rock & roll, doo-wop, soul...if I lost this old monster I'd seek another of it's kind, especially as they are still affordable.

Late 40's/early 1950's amp. Has tremolo feature and some type of tone switch.
Mine is just tremolo model 80, with cool early styling.
Uses 7 tubes, 4 of which are early metal tubes from the 40's ( they're not early transistors as some said here)
My latest reference amp for smaller club gigs, prefer to my Fenders and Ampeg now.

My new reference for tone especially with the early 6L6G's in it. Brighter with 6L6GC's and more attack. Prefer to Fender's for blues and jazz, just amazing. Can be noisy, get it cleaned up by a tech or yourself, very simple won't cost much. You WONT' be disappointed.
I think the Magnavox 12 in it really makes it.

VERY noisy when i got it, but was mainly the tubes.Once I got some good tubes in it, it's been reliable, pretty quiet, hasn't let me down in 6 weeks..

none

Must be very rare, good luck finding it, I'll buy any I see at this point. I'd love to learn anything else about the company and any other amps they made.

Wow. A friend gave this to me and he said it did'nt work, but to my surprise it does! I don't think my friend was aware that tubes need to warm up. A previous comment dates this amp back to 1953. It has 4 instument inputs and two miciphone inputs. All of them work. The tremlo is out but it really mady my strat come to life and would be good for gigs that I play and sing with my accoustic electric guitar.

I play a prs and a strat. The tones are very warm, but the tubes can get a little noisy. Its just for practice and small room gigs.

Dont know just got it.

I think the company is extinct!

This amp is a freebie and will be a nice conversation piece in my studio. When I plug it in for a demonstration everyone will be pleasently surprized by its tone and quality for something over a half century old. My God I think Elvis played through this or maybe Buddy Holly. I like to think about where this amp has been more than where its going. I'll never sell it and it will probabbly live forever. If anyone figures out the tremlo, Id like to know how.

hello im michael--i too own an ampower '80' combo amp. it is totally awesome-the tone is perfect for t-bone blues- the tremelo doesn't work but the tubes seem fine and it doesn't change even after hours of playing---also on the power amp chassis their is a 4-way toggle lever that changes the tone some---the pre amp at the top has 3 smaller tubes and 2 metal covered ones i think might be early transistors-------i will be taking some pictures of it dissassembled to post on this site -----i would like to get the tremolo working and might have it looked at --also the speaker has been patched a dozen times but sounds great----the case is masonite embossed with thick leather grain---i call it rhinoite- i don't have a computer but checked out this site on my friends--please post this and the photos when i send them within the month if you can -thanks --mike

is company out of business

i wish i could buy another one

WOW! I thought I had the only one!
Mine was built (by dating the Pots) in 1953. iT'S A KILLER amp for recording, until the tubes start to whisle along.. That's why I call it "Gramps" ;-)

I've used mine for 25 years as a Bass practice amp. It was only in the last few years I learned of it's ability! It has such a TRUE Rock and Roll tone, it's scary! For fun, I set it on top of a MB .50 stack and switched to it for leads when I was playing guitar.. The band LOVED it!

It's old, and tired, but a most excellent one trick pony! I'm actually afraid to change anything in it. It sounds so good for about 15 mins..

NA

Drive it with a RAT and feedback control will be YOURS!

I LOVE this amp!

Help! The amp I have is in great cosmetic shape. I am trying to find out about the company etc. - Description - On "gold" control panel says Ampower - Chicago, Il - Tremalo Amplifier Model 80. Has a dark brown case, one rounded square and one rounded oblong (bottom) grills in a diamond design. Metal handle and one 12" speaker. Has 5 tubes and several first generation transistors. 4 imputs for instruments and two for microphones and 4 control knobs (all top rear of case).

The amp lights up but currently produces no sound.

Since it is not working (yet) who knows.

Anyone have any information on this company of model send me a note at my e-mail address - remember to take the ant-spam off and start with "klondike". Thanks.

I play harp and hope this will be a nice addition to my vintage amp collection. If you have information regarding this company let me know - my internet search resulted in zilch.