Gretsch 6162 210 Combo

This is a '66 judging by the pots. Features already covered below, only difference is mine has 6L6 tubes--Valco sometimes put out versions of the same model with different power tubes. I'm fine with that, the 6L6's just rip on this amp. Reverb is nice, but not great, so 'verb addicts may wanna look elsewhere. Trem is quite fine. The four inputs on the two channels really provide a lot of options. I use separate pedal to switch between channels. For it's time ya couldn't find more features & this baby yelps!

I play a rootsy CW to punky stuff & this amp delivers. Seems to complement every axe I got, my P-90 slab, my strat, & my gretsch semihollow w/ buckers. W/my strat it needs a pedal to nudge it a bit for a taste of 'drive at a decent volume, but the cleans on both channels are just stellar & when I want this baby'll stay cosmically clean all the way to 10 w/ my strat-Tons of headroom. Great live amp with more than ample volume. Probably the loudest 30 (or so) watt amp I've heard. But none of this was a surprise to me--I wanted this amp after hearing a fellow musician gig with it, several times. I tried other twin Valco type amps w/ verb & trem & none seemed to have the vibe/circuit that this amp does. He eventually went for something much higher end & I snagged it. Been my main rig since. My good luck & he rightfully regrets it & deserves to--this amp kicks ass.
Hard to find an amp that sounds so edgy, musical & flexible. Suits all of what I do, twangy lead work, throbbing swamp rhythm, burning slide work. Real work horse & it's got plenty o' volume for playing out--sounds like a loud 40+ watt amp! Great loud or at low volumes. W/it & my trusty drive pedal (when needed) & I'm set. Just what I was looking for, couldn't be happier.

Been super solid. Probably due for a cap job sometime soon, but it's great as is after 40 yrs, so I'll wait until the tone/vol. falls off before doing so.
Truly pt-pt handwired amp, so it's easy for techs to work on these. Totally up to boutique stds that costs several times more than what this sweetheart cost me. Valco which built this great emp, built 'em to last--lotsa Supros, Airlines, etc. are still kicking.

The amp was made by Valco--they long gone.

Several decades of playin' out & this is my alltime, fave go-to, especially when I need both volume & to cut thru a bit, but still with great tone. In my search for a go-to, I tried lotsa other Valco twin models & love the 6973 tube tone, but they didn't quite have the bite & balls that I wanted, but this baby does. These ain't that cheap (to me), but are still way cheaper than the other Valco twins with 'verb & trem, but that's gotta be a collector thing. I'd put this up against most boutique-y boxes that cost a bundle more--I certainly like it better. Then again, mebbe they are relatively cheap. Don't matter ta me, its mine & I'm never gettin' rid of it.

See previous review for features. For its time (1964) this amp had all the fearures that an amp could support. The tremolo is very nice, the reverb is a short-pan and is not comparable to the best Fender reverbs but that may be the result of a weak tube. Single channel amp but very differently voiced inputs that give you very distinct tones. Using an A/B box to switch btwn the 2 inputs gives you 2 very useful tones.

The 6973 power tubes were popular in the early/mid 60s with Valco and Ampeg but never became mainstream. They have a unique character - very clean but muscular tone with good headroom. When overdrive kicks in (later than with EL84s), it is very smooth.

Despite the 6973 tubes with the 2 x Jensen C10R set up you get very close to a classic Vibrolux type blues tone.

This generation of Gretsch amps was made by Valco who are long gone - lots of tubes but easy enough for any competent tech to service. Mine is 100% original and is going strong after 40 years! I'd be reluctant to gig the amp because of it rarity but not because it's fragile.

See above

Played 25+ years, use mostly Teles and single coil Reverends for classic blues material these days. By any standards, this is a very nice amp - tone for days, good projection from 2 x 10 config and it looks great (grey "rhino-hide" tolex with a gold grill-cloth, great chrome knobs). If it very stolen, it would be close to impossible to replace.

1965 Gretsch 6162 Tremolo-Reverb Amp Amazing Valco/ Supro Made Amp!! Features 2 Jensen 10" Speakers, 17wts with, 2 6973 Power, AND 1-5Y3 Rectifier Tubes, 2 Inputs, Controls for Volume, Tone, Reverb, Tremolo Speed, Tremolo Intensity, Standby and Ground Reverse Switches.

I use a Les Paul Studio exclusively with this amp. The sound is so smooth and warm you can feel it through your entire body. It is like a pain killer beginning to kick in! There is nothing like a vintage tube amp, just ask the beatles.

Will not take it out to gig, it is not worth having it damaged. I use it often at home, it seems to always fire up, so I guess it is very reliable.

This amp is all original and it is 39 years old, what does that tell you? Absoloutely nothing! Why? If it lasted this long you know it is
a great amp! The company has also went away as far as amps go so I have never dealt with them.

It is a great amp that would make most real guitar players moist in the crotch! This is a guaranteed boner producer! If you can get one do it! Shoot the lock off your wallet and treat yourself.