Product: Danelectro 63'silvertone amp-in-case
Price Paid: USD 450
Submitted
09/04/2006
at
01:10am
by
Alecto
Features
:
1
This is the infamous Silvertone amp-in-case model (made by Danelectro and distributed by Sears) that many guitarists in the 1960's started on. This amp is about as bare-bones as it gets: 3 tubes, one mini speaker, on/off switch and volume knob. That's it.
My guess is that it pumps out 5 watts maximum.
Sound Quality
:
8
Yeah, this amp has almost no features, but it does have great tone. It's super-transparent: a Strat sounds like a Strat, and a 335 sounds like a 335. Turn the amp up past the 2:00 position and it doesn't get any louder, just more distorted. Below that, it's a nice, uncluttered sound: nothing fancy gets in the way. It takes pedals well.
The distortion is strictly old-school: great for playing dirty blues or garage rock. Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top would be all over this amp, as well as The Hives. Note that you have to have some gutsy pickups to make this amp distort. My Strat will do it, and so will my Epiphone Dot, but Danelectro lipstick pickups are too anemic to really drive this amp. Also note that this is too soft for gigging: either use it in the (home) studio or to get a filthy sound without waking the neighbors.
Reliability
:
8
I have never taken this amp out on a gig because it simply doesn't have the headroom to compete with a live drummer. The previous owner swapped out the old volume pot and replaced the speaker with an Altec/Lansing 8". My guess is this amp will last me a long time. Another advantage: the tubes are common types, and readily available. I haven't recorded with it yet, but I think it'll sound great in the studio.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Neither Sears or Danelectro still makes/services this amp so I'm on my own. The shop I bought it from (Songbird Music in Toronto) gave me a 1 year warranty.
Overall Rating
:
9
I've been playing guitar for 20 years, and I have a fair amount of gear. This was strictly an impulse buy, since I've heard so much about these amps and I fell in love with the tone when I tried it in the store. My fianc??e also couldn't come up with a reason not to buy it, so that says something right there. This amp is strictly for practicing/recording and I couldn't be happier. I think if it was stolen, I'd look for another. This is junque of the highest order.
BTW, this amp cost me $450. Consider though, that it came with a free Danelectro!
