Keneko Music & Mfg Co. Fostoria Ohio Amplifier, info ?

[bastardbus]

I picked up some nice stuff the other day and included was a very cool Keneko Amp from early `50s. It is a small amp, with an champ type set up. Has a cool marbleized bowling ball finish on the outside. It was built in Fostoria Ohio which is close to me in Toldeo so that makes it pretty cool for me.

Anyone heard or seen one of these amps before?

[Stevem]

Boy that control panel looks very Gibson like other then the star around the volume pot!
8 inch, or 10" speaker?

[bastardbus]

What model Gibson does this resemble? I have not been able to find anything info at all on this amp nor anything that looks close to it. I would assume if it was built by Gibson there would be some sort of markings on it like Valco did with the Oahu or other branded amps. This just says Keneko Music Mfg Co. That kinda makes me think they built it but I dunno. Would love to find anything about it.

I think the amp is untouched from new other then a replaced tube maybe. I took it apart and those screws were TIGHT and unmolested like they had never been out. All caps-resistors and solder joints look untouched and original as well. I would love to see a schematic for it though just to see if it is all original specs.

I have plugged it in through a dim bulb tester and she works. I did not have a guitar at hand though so no idea of sound. Very interested in hearing it with the 6SJ7 front end in it. I heard they are very pleasant sounding in these little amps.

T

[dreric]

I have the same amp in blue MOTS (Mother of Toilet Seat). Different "manufacture", I've always heard that they were made by Magnetone. They often came with a matching lap steel in the 30-40's. The region distributor would have there name put on them. Once they clean up they can be cool little beasts, the speaker is the weak link.

[bastardbus]

Ahhh thanks! There is some info. Would love to see some pictures of yours if you can post em. What brand is yours?

I would think the amp is early `50s or very late `40s from the tubes and components used but I could be wrong. I was thinking lap steel amp as well. I have seen a lot of lap steels with that same marble plastic material on em.

From the way it was built it looks like one could install a new-better speaker on a new baffle and just save the entire original as a unit if interested. Though I do like these old beasts to sound as designed...warts and all. So the low quality original speaker seems to add to that.

P.S. I just did a quick Google search and this indeed is a Magnatone built amplifier! I found severl images of this identical amp with re-badged names on em. Thanks!

[Reeltarded]

I had the lap and amp set by Magnatone. Still have the lap.

That's what she is.

[Stevem]

Sorry, I am not saying it might of been made by Gibson, its just that the multi lined control panel was very Gibson like!

If you want to try and date it many times the pot(s) have a date code on them and or if it uses a multi filter type can, they always have date codes on them and the last string of 4 numbers in a row would be the week of production and the next two numbers that year.

So 4351 for example would be the 43rd week of 1951.
The speaker may have a date code on it also?

I love the sound of those big Octal tubes be they pentodes or triodes!

[bastardbus]

Took the amp apart and check some things, caps etc and very surprising she was all original and found nothing out of spec. Crazy! I have a `48 Masco MAP-15 I am restoring right now and almost every single cap AND resistor is leaking or out of spec in that turd!

Played this amp tonight for the first time and what a GREAT sound to this little bugger. Can't believe how good that little original 8inch speaker sounded. I usually HATE 8inch speakers as hey sound thin and boxy but with this one you would never guess it was an 8. Sounds as full as a 10 or even a 12! She is nice and full sounding. There is a low and high input and overdrives really nice in #1. Has that nice champ-ish sound (of course) but darker like the early ones. Played along with Derek and the Dominos and it really nailed the sound. Even my wife came in and said WOW...which she never does.

[Reeltarded]

Yeah they are great! Nasty lil booger with pleasing bandwidth. It grits up perfect for the tone. Very cool.