Silvertone 1396 212 Combo

This is a 1959 Silvertone 1396 twin 12 with 4 6L6 power tubes, 2X12AX7s, 1x6SN7, 1x6SJ7, and 5U4 rectifier tube. There are two transformers, each powering with 2 6L6 power tubes, a 12" Utah alnico. It is cathode biased. My tech, John Landgraff, sez it runs between 30-35 watts. Voltages run low. 2 channels, bass, treble, volume. No effects loops, channel switching, thank you very much. This is my playing out big amp for amplified harp playing. I love it. Has had cap job, pots cleaned, and I did replace the old Utahs with a Mojo P12R, and Weber P10Q(partial temp. baffle mod.). Use this amp outdoors, and indoors, when I need more volume than my other amp( 65 Ampeg echo Jet). Versatile, no, but myself like many harp players like simple circuit, low voltage, non multiple gain stage amps.Cool vintage look, tweedish grill, grey/sparkle paper tolex, plywood/pressed cardboard cab. Will give it a 6.

I use a Danelectro "Danecho) for just a little delay, and to fatten the tone. I play with an old Shure GB, and Shure 533(my fave). I play through channel 1, in the lowest gain input. The amp runs quiet. Depending on situation I use either 5V4, 5R4, 5U4, or 5UR4 rect. tubes. The amp came with new in box NOS Jan Phillips(quad) 6L6GB power tubes, match up well. Run with mix of Telefunkens, or RCA 12AX7s, 5751s, or 12AT7s, depending on room, or how loud drummer/guitar player is. The Mojo and Weber alnico speaker combination sound great. Nice creamy overdrive, very tweedish sound. I have swapped tubes for different applications, that I currently dont use a back panel.

I have a great tech, its dependable, though I often bring along my 65 Ampeg Jet, which is also a great harp amp. The Silvertone is 42 years old, it is broken in just right. I like cheap and underdog vintage right now, the vintage Fender prices are ridiculous, same with prices for many of the so called boutique amps. I can have a bunch of cool old Ampegs, Harmonys, or Silvertones for what you pay for certain Fenders(BF/tweed), or the boutiques.

Ha, ha. Silvertone, ect. went out of business a long time ago. A shame.

Been playing harp almost 30 years, try to always be learning. The hardest and probably last thing to come for great harp playin, blues/swing/bluegrass/country, ect. is TONE. It starts with the player, and his her technique. And amplified, equipment does matter in seeking good tone. I prefer small amps like my jet, have owned tweed and SF champs, Gibsons,Fender RI 59 Bassman,Fender Pro-JR., Princeton reverbs, a cool Harmony 2x6v6 amp, and a 63 Ampeg Reverberocket. The Silvertone 1396 is a cool vintage and great sounding amp. I have only seen one other, a friend of mine downstate owns one, I played his once, and sought out/found/purchased mine. Am proud to join the Silvertone amp owner/player fraternity.