Sears 15 Watt Micro Head

This thing is oooold. It has the old style SR star logo, exact same as the stereo in my 1982 truck. It has 3 instrument inputs, one padded, on the right, controls in the center, and power switch and indicator on the left, like a Marshall. Controls are Volume, Tone, Reverb, and Speed and Depth for Vibrato (not Chorus/Mod- its a volume change). Tone is like a second tone knob on your guitar, and cuts the treble very severely. At about "5" the tone knob kills most of the volume too, but with tone and volume cranked, its a bit ugly. The reverb is really deep and spacey- nothing subtle about it. The speed and depth are close to an old Fender, with speed going from about .5 seconds to 1.5 seconds. Depth can cut your volume by almost half. If used right the vibrato can simulate a bowed or backwards sound. Throw in some trashy reverb and its more of an effects box than an amp. Oh, and all that's a good thing, too. Cute handle on top, soft leathery tolex, only four corner protectors on the bottom. Brushed silver face with black skirted knobs- very 70's.

This amp came about as a need to have something sitting on top of a 115 cabinet that was given to me. The speaker (a Sunn Magna 158) was blown, but I thought the wacky old amp and free cabinet would be a good match. The cabinet's way oversized, and the head is like a kids lunch box- think Timmon and Pumba from Lion King. It sounds.... like it should- fuzzy and weak, but enough bottom end to shake the room.

I pulled the chasis out to see what was going on in there, and it looks fairly solid, good wiring, steady pots. The back is just MDF with a few 1/4" holes drilled for ventalation, but its no power house to begin with.

I dunno. Its Sears Roebuck. I never found out if they made it, or had someone ghost build it (like their guitars) but it looks like it may really be Sears. It was made in Japan, and has either the serial or patent number 2313, from Canada.

My girlfriend bought this as an early birthday present, and I've gotta say- its the coolest. The perfect companion to that wacky 115, and it really is steeped in some serious vintage fuzzy tones. Reverb from here til tomorrow.