Early 1960s Gretsch Amp

bradicusmaximus · Post by **bradicusmaximus** » Wed May 13, 2015 1:10 am

Let me first start by saying that I have very little experience with Gretsch amps much less the vintage ones. But, a friend of mine called me up and said he picked up this beat up old Gretsch and if I could look at it and see if it were worth saving. After I met up with him and he basically gave me a cabinet with parts inside, I figured I could do some research and get some answers. Well, this was quite the head scratcher.

At first glance I thought it might be a 1963 Playboy. It's running 3 12AX7s, a 5Y3 rectifier tube, and two 6973 power tubes. However, from my limited knowledge and what I gathered from some google searches, the playboy had a single 10" speaker. This amp has 2 12 inch Jensens that appear to be original along with a smaller speaker up top that doesn't quite look original to me - but I could be wrong on that count.

I was hoping that someone here might have some ideas on exactly what this beast is. It's obviously pretty hammered and has seen some bad storage, but the circuit doesn't look too horribly complex even if I have to go end to end replacing the components. I'm intrigued by the 6973 power tubes so it might be worth a weekend's labor to just fire it up.

Any thoughts or insights or links or schematics would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!

drew · Post by **drew** » Wed May 13, 2015 1:47 am

Maybe it's the chassis from the 1x10 amp transplanted into the cabinet from another model? Those mounting blocks have a homemade look to them.

bradicusmaximus · Post by **bradicusmaximus** » Wed May 13, 2015 1:58 am

What do ya know - a friend of mine got back to me with a few other ideas for researching I found this is a 6161 Dual Twin. 17 Watts of early 60's tube tone. Most of the documentation does not list the rectifier for these models as a 5Y3, which threw me for a loop, but after finding some schematics I was able to match up enough to be confident I've found my amp.

These are actually 10" speakers. The 5 inch third speaker is actually original equipment. That was a surprise for me as well.

Drew - when I first got the amp from my friend, I thought the same thing. The wooden blocks looked a bit shady to me and I figured it was a garage hack-job. However, I've seen this construction in a few of the pictures. I'm not completely sold that it's completely correct, but it seems legit for right now. I don't see a lot of evidence the amp has been tampered with in general, so I'm willing to assume it's original.

Now I'm kind of excited about cleaning it up and trying to get it running again.

Phil_S · Post by **Phil_S** » Wed May 13, 2015 2:34 am

Those 1963 Jensen C10R are nice speakers. Just be careful not to push them too hard. IIRC they are rated at 25W each, but I would not attempt to max them. Overall, a nice find and ready to be restored. This one needs to be a labor of love.

bradicusmaximus · Post by **bradicusmaximus** » Wed May 13, 2015 2:38 am

Phil_S wrote:Those 1963 Jensen C10R are nice speakers. Just be careful not to push them too hard. IIRC they are rated at 25W each, but I would not attempt to max them. Overall, a nice find and ready to be restored. This one needs to be a labor of love.

Thanks! I kind of wish it was mine, but I'm doing it for a friend. Someone gave it to him and he brought it to me along with a 'wreck clone that needs some tweaks.

passfan · Post by **passfan** » Wed May 13, 2015 9:45 am

Do a search over at schematic heaven and look under valco or supro schematics. These companies built a lot of oem stuff back then and I've found Gretsch schematics like that before

Stevem · Post by **Stevem** » Wed May 13, 2015 10:41 am

In my 1958 Jensen catalog those are not even rated for 25 watts, and if they have been upped to 25 watts for the 63 speaker model line then that's 25 watts peak and like 12 watts rms.
24 watts rms and two 6973s should hold up fine!

rp · Post by rp » Wed May 13, 2015 11:17 am

when I first got the amp from my friend, I thought the same thing. The wooden blocks looked a bit shady to me and I figured it was a garage hack-job. However, I've seen this construction in a few of the pictures. I'm not completely sold that it's completely correct, but it seems legit for right now.

Whaddya want from something built in Joisey? Just kidding... how about I buy you beer?

Nice old amp.

Gibsonman63 · Post by **Gibsonman63** » Wed May 13, 2015 11:33 am

I have a later 60's Gretsch that I am restoring for a friend. The chassis sides are made out of rough cut wood. I would not be surprised if the wooden blocks in yours are original.

bradicusmaximus · Post by **bradicusmaximus** » Wed May 13, 2015 1:12 pm

Gibsonman63 wrote:I have a later 60's Gretsch that I am restoring for a friend. The chassis sides are made out of rough cut wood. I would not be surprised if the wooden blocks in yours are original.

Thanks for the confirmation. I saw a bunch of pictures showing wood blocks and such, but you just never know on the internet. These pieces look original so it's possible. Of course, this is one of those "do a favor for a friend" kind of deals so I don't think I'll be sending wood samples out for carbon dating anytime soon to be more certain!

sluckey · Post by **sluckey** » Wed May 13, 2015 3:13 pm

This could be your schematic...

http://el34world.com/charts/Schematics/ ... h_6161.pdf

bradicusmaximus · Post by **bradicusmaximus** » Wed May 13, 2015 3:21 pm

sluckey wrote:This could be your schematic...

http://el34world.com/charts/Schematics/ ... h_6161.pdf

That definitely looks like this amp. Thanks!

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Early 1960s Gretsch Amp

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