Need help identifying tube amp
- Thread starter Mprater
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biscuithead
Me likes the eargasm retroplasm...
Yep. Monkey Wards Airline brand.
You have everything you need to identify it.
Quality wise, it is about average.
Mike Stehr
Poverty Audio
Does it say Wells Gardener anywhere on the unit? I had a '59 Airline made by WG.
Mprater
New Member
Unfortunately with the info I have I am unable to find any info. Searching is a nightmare because airline pulls in tons of stuff about airplanes in a search engine. Lol
Mprater
New Member
It does not. There is no stampings on the amp what-so-ever.
biscuithead
Me likes the eargasm retroplasm...
What more do you want to know?
If you want a schematic, try these guys :
http://www.smcelectronics.com/samsconrec.htm
biscuithead
Me likes the eargasm retroplasm...
Try " Valco chassis 9066 "
Mprater
New Member
Thanks so much for replying. I am trying to determine the wattage and specs of the amp. Unfortunately without the amp model number none of that is possible. I apologize for being a noob, i know how it is on these forums... but ai assure you I tried to find as much info as I could on my own prior to resorting to a forum.
Mprater
New Member
This only yields info about nonrelated guitar amps. Thanks though, it was worth a try.
biscuithead
Me likes the eargasm retroplasm...
Wattage on these 60s console amps are rarely published by the manufacture. I can't read the tube layout by the picture. If it is a PP EL84, you can guess it is about 6 to 8 watts per channel, if it is SE then half of that. At full power you can assume it is about 2% + THD.
I don't know if this helps, but a guess is probably the best you'll get with this one.
biscuithead
Me likes the eargasm retroplasm...
6Bm8 I am not very familiar with these. But, if I went by "feel" , I'd say 4-6 wpc. This means the speakers are very sensitive, and are likely the best thing in that console. This amp reminds me of some Sylvania models I've ran across. Not to be a jerk, but I wouldn't mess with it unless it is free. It might be a family piece, but I don't want to mince words, it is an average to low quality piece.
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Looks like it has 6BM8 triode/Pentode output tubes and I only see two, so single-ended. Possibly 3 - 3.5 watts output. It is not going to be a boom blaster. If the tubes are weak, power supply failing, or/and signal degraded then being relatively quiet would be expected. Maybe when restored and on efficient speakers you will have more from it.
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
I think this console is a W/G (Wells-Gardner). They built most of the Airline consoles of the era. 3-4 WPC roughly. And restored a nice mellow sound. Not the best but can be nice listening.
biscuithead
Me likes the eargasm retroplasm...
"It is pretty quiet. Is this because it needs to be serviced?" Yes. It will need service. Are you using the "phono in" ? If you use the "phono in" with a high level source it will sound quiet.
" Would a tube preamp help boost the signal?" No. Spend some time here on AK. A preamp ( tube or SS ) is already in the circuit. There is a lot to learn. What is your source? (the source is where the music comes from). Are you comfortable tinkering with electronics?
