Back in the mid 1970s, I had a pub band. Played mostly country, Irish country and country rock. The music that people could dance to or sing along with. My fellow guitarist bought a Nolan 'Studio Session 50' head from Pat Nolan in Co. Westmeath. Pat had spent some time in London and while there, he built a number of amps [AFAIK copies of Fender amps]. Google Pat Nolan for more info if you are of that type. To get back to the Session 50, it was paired with a H&H 4 * 12" cab and the combo made a great sound - exactly what our band needed in fact. I, as the other guitarist and vocalist in the band, used a 50 watt Marshall head and a Marshall 4 * 12" cab [straight not the angled type]. Neither amps gave us a bit of trouble despite being dragged all over the Midlands of Ireland in a car trailer and often spending the night in the trailer!
A couple of years ago, my friend discovered his amp head in the garage where it had been 'stored' for about 35 years. His H&H cab had long since fallen apart and so he offered the amp to me for free. It sat in my garage for well over a year while I considered what to do with it.
Both EL34 output valves looked blown, both had a grey colour like a leaky light bulb. I removed the chassis and it looked in great condition. I then cleaned the amp sleeve which came up very well - almost new looking in fact. The back panel had long since lost its screws so I located a pair and it fitted perfectly. Off the amp went to a tech in Athlone, apart from knowing it needed a pair of output valves, I hoped it did not need major surgery.
With the new valves fitted, the amp worked! The only problem the tech found was that the bass pot was open circuit. He temporarily fitted a replacement which proved his diagnosis. He opened up the pot and found the wiper was not making proper contact. A slight adjustment fixed the pot which was replaced thus keeping the amp almost 100% original. There is a slight crackly sound when moving the bass control but this is nothing serious. And it sounds great through my Blackstar 1 * 10" cabinet, which the head almost matches width wise. My wife thinks the pair look very well together.
My music teacher thinks those amps sell for 'silly money' on eBay. Perhaps they do but I don't see myself ever selling this 1970s gem. No master volume control, not high gain, just a classic vintage sound, typical of non master volume amps. I bought the Blackstar cab to go with my Orange Micro Terror. The Nolan amp is in a different league however, my friend who gave me the amp is calling one of these nights to give it a spin again.
I have not taken any pics yet but can do if anyone is interested. Amp cabs tend to look similar to one another so maybe there is no need for pics. Same with sound clips, all that this would show is just how poor a guitar player I actually am.
But it is great to hear this head speaking again after all those years.
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. [Albert Einstein]
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum
Comments
Thanks mate. Fixed.
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum
I think I've seen one of these amps, a long time ago. I don't remember a lot about it, other than it did look hand-made - I think 'true point to point', although I might be wrong.
Pics please .
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
They can also vent a large amount of slightly corrosive fluid as well, and make quite a mess. In some cases they can short and damage other parts of the amp too.
Personally I wouldn't normally leave the original filter caps in a 40+ year old amp that's been in storage for most of that time, and I don't consider replacing them as any loss of originality. They're a maintenance item, it needs to be done sooner or later.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein