Sometime in 1982, I acquired one of these from a friend's dad...
Back then,. I had no idea what it was, but (at the time), I thought it sounded great. However, my teenage self also thought that Discharge, Anti-Pasti, Crass and The Exploited sounded great, so perhaps that's not the best yardstick.
During the intervening 35 years, I have seen maybe one or two others.
Recently, I picked one up in a job lot of stuff...and (on hooking it up last night) I was pleasantly surprised to note that my memory didn't play me false. The Normal input is quite warm and transparent (although the Bright is a bit "in-ya-face"), with nicely interactive controls and - with some judicious and subtle fiddling - a reasonably useable overdrive/distortion circuit. I was certainly able to coax some decent tones out of it. It's also bloody LOUD.
However, I'm still puzzled as to it's origins - other than "Made in England", there are no external indicators as to it's manufacturer. I've yet to strip it to clean the pots/switches, etc, so I can't say the same for the PCB (yet).
I just wondered if it looked familiar to anyone? Seen one before?
Comments
The styling is very reminiscent of the Imp practice amp (a little 10 watt combo I had in my youth).
Here's an Imp:
HarrySeven - Intangible Asset Appraiser & Wrecker of Civilisation. Searching for weird guitars - so you don't have to.
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"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
Why does "Kay's Catalogue" shout out at me?
Oh, and BTW IC, do you not think the raked front panel neatly gets over the 'top v front' controls debacle?
Little used these days, must be costly to implement.
Dave.
Didn’t Kays market their own brand, along with those horrid Sound City and Londoner things?
For some reason, Maplin springs to mind, but I’m not sure why...
HarrySeven - Intangible Asset Appraiser & Wrecker of Civilisation. Searching for weird guitars - so you don't have to.
Forum feedback thread. | G&B interview #1 & #2 | https://www.instagram.com/_harry_seven_/
It is by far the best layout for a combo though.
Ohm was the first thing that came to my mind - the panel graphics are very similar.
What I don't remember is whether Ohm, Intermusic etc actually made their own stuff or whether they contracted it out to someone. If so, then this amp was probably made in the same factory.
"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
Same as Redmere, MM, etc?
HarrySeven - Intangible Asset Appraiser & Wrecker of Civilisation. Searching for weird guitars - so you don't have to.
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NB. There has been no logo on any examples I’ve previously came across.
HarrySeven - Intangible Asset Appraiser & Wrecker of Civilisation. Searching for weird guitars - so you don't have to.
Forum feedback thread. | G&B interview #1 & #2 | https://www.instagram.com/_harry_seven_/
The cabinet is almost identical to a Proamp as well.
"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
My recollection is that they did make their own stuff.
Hmmm...Custom Sound were generally not backwards in coming forwards re. their branding, plus, they used quite distinctive red/black livery. I'd be surprised if it was...
HarrySeven - Intangible Asset Appraiser & Wrecker of Civilisation. Searching for weird guitars - so you don't have to.
Forum feedback thread. | G&B interview #1 & #2 | https://www.instagram.com/_harry_seven_/
The font on the back is (IIRC) Eurostile Bold Extended - you're right, it was also used by Ohm. Different graphics though.
HarrySeven - Intangible Asset Appraiser & Wrecker of Civilisation. Searching for weird guitars - so you don't have to.
Forum feedback thread. | G&B interview #1 & #2 | https://www.instagram.com/_harry_seven_/
I did wonder about Tandy/ RadioShack given the period but the only pictures coming up all had those distinctive multi coloured knobs.
They sold FAL amps (Futuristic Aids Limited), but I think it could be one they sold under the 'Linear' brand.