Product: Gretsch 6150
Price Paid: N/A used
Submitted
04/17/1999
at
10:58am
by
Theo Marks
Email: Markst<at>notes dot wustl dot edu
Features
:
2
This is an early '60s small practice amp, similar to a Fender Champ. It is actually manufactured by Valco of Chicago. Two inputs, one channel, one control knob that functions as an on off switch and volume control. I opened it up to find a total parts complement of four resistors, four capacitors, two transformers and three tubes - thats it. It puts out 5 Watts from a single 6V6. One 8" speaker, not original (the speaker is for a mobile PA system and is rated at 150 Watts).
Sound Quality
:
10
I use this for practice around the house. My other amp is a Mesa Blue Angel which sounds great at higher volumes, but I almost always get complaints from my wife and kids if I crank it. I use it with a Mexican strat with Dimarzio VV PUs (with the Torres bluescaster deluxe wiring), a new Les Paul DC standard (with stock PUs), and a 62 Gibson 330 with a single P-90. Sounds great with all but best with the Strat. I mostly like to play blues and old R&R. With only one knob, there is not much to tweak (the bluescaster controls on the stat are very usefull here in conrolling the tone given the lack of contols on the amp). At very low volumes, it is a bit thin . Up a little and it has a great clean sound with a bit of an edge. As you keep turning up the volume, it won't get much louder, but more compressed. Very sweet, warm overdrive. Never too loud for around the house. The amp is dead quiet, even when turned up all the way. I think that it would be a fabulous recording amp.
Reliability
:
10
It looks almost brand new after 35 years. I haven,t had it long, but I expect it to look and sound the same after another 35 years. After all there is much to go wrong with so few parts.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
You must be kiding.
Overall Rating
:
10
I tried a few blackface Champs for a bit less money. I think that this sounds better turned all the way up (the speaker doesn't fart out trying to project the bass at high volumes). This may be on account of the replacement speaker. This unit has a great vibe. It's probably irreplacable, but someting like a tweed champ would probably come close.For what I wanted, a tube amp to really open up around the house with out having my 15 year old son saying "Turn it down Dad!", its perfect.
