Silvertone 1336

Made in 1956, I think by Danelectro. Rear-mounted (not on top) controls. Funky, cool tweed cover on top (rounding into a front overhang above the speaker grill) and on back panel, faux alligator covering on the sides. ressboard or particleboard construction. Seems solid enough (so far, thank god), but I don't plan on leaving this in puddles. Amp is somewhat worn on a few corners, but is in very good condition for a 50 year old. Weighs in at around 45 pounds. Clearly was well-cared for. Two channels, 3 inputs per channel. Shared bass and treble controls. Bias vary tremolo, speed and intensity. Not sure if trem is on one or both channels. 2x12 Utah alnico speakers stock. Not your every day circuit. 4 6L6 tubes, two per output transformer. Not a stereo amp per se, but sort of two, 2 6L6 amps together, each with a speaker. Depending on who you listen to, anywhere from 35 to 60 watts total. No reverb. For it's time, this amp had what there was, pretty much.

Ah, the good stuff. Saw the listing, couldn't find any info, just assumed it was another underpowered, sweet sounding tweed type, heavy compression amp. Had played a few '60s Silvertones, interesting, good sound, joke reverb, decent but nothing to make me act foolish. Always wanted to try older Silvertones. Cool shop, really nice guy. He asked to check out my guitar, plugged into the 1336 and played a few low volume licks. DAMN. I was a goner right then. Just the sweetest tube sound. I did plug in, found a way louder, altogether different amp than I'd expected. Big sound presence, lots of clean right up into pretty loud, little of the mid-volume compression of smaller cathode bias tweeds. A lively, organic feel, highly responsive to pick force and right hand position. Get it loud, mostly clean, dig in a little harder, the drive is right there. Get a little louder, into light, airy OD. A soaring sustain. So pretty. Not that dense, but you can feel the air moving. Clear, singing, with real pop from palm muting and right hand dynamics. Lively, balanced tone, as much or more treble as you'd want, plenty of bass. Not every amp loves strats. This one does.

I bonded with this thing in under a minute. Had no idea it would sound this good. Couldn't pay the guy fast enough. I play mostly blues, lots of slide in open E, lap steel. All single coils for now, but my old, unplayable 335 will be back soon from the shop. I use a Fender outboard reverb, with some analog delay in front. The amp has a unique voice, very much tweed, but with a tough core, sort of brownface fender-like. My reference point for great tweed tone is the Clark Tyger (Bandmaster replica.) The Tyger sings with a soft edge, completely transparent and warm, even very loud it's not too hard on the ears. The 1336 sings not quite as softly, has just as much warmth and clarity. No lack of cut, I'm guessing this will be just as powerful a stage amp as the Tyger.

I plan to depend on it. The fact that it is still here, and sounds so stupid good, hints at reliability. Not sure if the cabinet is up to regular road travel, not that people are lined up to give me gigs. I will probably someday have a custom cabinet built for this. Sic transit, gloria mundi and all, but until I'm gone I want this old dog with me, gig-ready, not falling apart.

Maybe I'll dig up one of their phone (I mean telegraph) reps and see what they can do for me, yes? No. Most of the adults from that time period are long dead, as is the Silvertone amp empire.

40 years now, messing with guitars. Some wonderful amps at home, an old gibson GA40, a few magnatones, the Tyger, a BFDR, and play other fine amps (Bruno, matchless) often. Old school stuff, no high gainers as yet. Whatever my musical talent or the lack of it, I've learned to trust my ears. When an amp or guitar speaks to you, that's the one. The 1336 speaks to me. What a blast to play! This will not be my last Silvertone.