davidguilbault
Perusing the Bargain Bins
Who knows anything about this amp? Thanks. David.
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Excelsior Americana Stereophonic High Fidelity Amplifier
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davidguilbault
Perusing the Bargain Bins
Nudies: Excelsior Americana Amp
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Pretty cool accordion amp you have there. I wouldn't mind have that.
Bet it sounds good with guitar also!
Bet it sounds good with guitar also!
spideyjack
Addicted Member
nice! lots of old accordions have two pick-ups, one for the bass buttons and another for the keys, hence the dual inputs, the pickups were often a hi-z (ceramic?) microphone kinda thing. I think Exsellsior was a US brand for Italian made accordions, the amp may have been made by Harmony or one of the other Chicago factories.
Should be a kick butt guitar amp!
What kind of cookies are those on the floor? did they come with the amp?
Should be a kick butt guitar amp!
What kind of cookies are those on the floor? did they come with the amp?
spideyjack
Addicted Member
davidguilbault
Perusing the Bargain Bins
The little bit of information I can find on the Internet leads me to believe that these were made by Sano in NJ.
The amp has five speakers - a 15" made by Utah (I think), two 8" speakers made by Excelsior Sound Power in NY, and two side-fired 2" x 10" speakers. (A previous owner has disconnected the two side speakers.)
There are two separate amps inside - one affixed to the bottom and one affixed to under the control panel on top. The bottom power amp has two EL34 power tubes, a 5AR4 rectifier, two 12AU7 preamps, a 6AN8 and a EL84. The top reverb amp has 4 12AU7's.
I couldn't hear the tremolo, so I replaced the 12AU7's in the reverb amp with 12AX7's and the tremolo was loud and strong. However, in idle, the amp was actually shaking and making a whomping sound. So I guess the 12AX7's are way too much gain.
There are four inputs - two for accordion (treble & bass) and two for guitar (normal & bright). Each provide a different tone.
Would really like to find a schematic for this amp.
The amp has five speakers - a 15" made by Utah (I think), two 8" speakers made by Excelsior Sound Power in NY, and two side-fired 2" x 10" speakers. (A previous owner has disconnected the two side speakers.)
There are two separate amps inside - one affixed to the bottom and one affixed to under the control panel on top. The bottom power amp has two EL34 power tubes, a 5AR4 rectifier, two 12AU7 preamps, a 6AN8 and a EL84. The top reverb amp has 4 12AU7's.
I couldn't hear the tremolo, so I replaced the 12AU7's in the reverb amp with 12AX7's and the tremolo was loud and strong. However, in idle, the amp was actually shaking and making a whomping sound. So I guess the 12AX7's are way too much gain.
There are four inputs - two for accordion (treble & bass) and two for guitar (normal & bright). Each provide a different tone.
Would really like to find a schematic for this amp.
Last edited:
guitarslam
Sonic Moron
I was going to mention Hilgen or Sano.
Not many American amps used EL34s back in the 60s.
IIRC there might be a connection to a designer who worked for Ampeg.
Not many American amps used EL34s back in the 60s.
IIRC there might be a connection to a designer who worked for Ampeg.
Rodi Planck
New Member
I may end get an amp like this, It is pretty nice amp... that needs some work... If I do get it, I will get a schematic up pronto.
guitarslam
Sonic Moron
Nice thread resurrection!
The amp looks to be Mono, is that what you're shooting for Mono?
Oops no.. hadn't thought of that,. well there goes that idea.. just thought it'd be fun to tinker with one.. the YouTube video was from Blueglow Electronics and it looked like a fun project... but no mono was not what I was after.. never owned a tube amp, thanks for the heads up though. Cheers
Mystic
We're all born mad
I was (really) wanting to know the manufacture of the 15" ... and surprised to learn it was/is Utah.
Mystic
We're all born mad
Seconding that sentiment!
fxer1982
Well-Known Member
accordian ampliferNudies: Excelsior Americana Amp
Nudies:
Something about this screams "Guild!" to me. There was a sometime co-mingling of Ampeg-Guild-Sano parts and circuits...there was another "brand" put on Guild amps in the early 60's, but cannot think of it, don't think this is that old...
My "Guild-amp-authority" in Philly feels said amp is a Sano. Guild's self manufactured accordian amps were branded Sonola, after the accordians they importrd from Italy.
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