Petersen Automotive Museum

Cars & Guitars of Rock & Roll II

Amps

1965 Fender Deluxe Reverb Amplifier Ideal for studio recording, the low-powered Deluxe Reverb was featured on hundreds of recordings in the 1960s and 1970s. Its reverb effect ushered in the “surf sound” and the model is now so popular that Fender has reissued it. Collection of Groove Tubes 1965 Fender Bandmaster Amplifier The Bandmaster Amplifier was introduced at the beginning of the “piggy back” era when the amp was separated from the speaker to allow higher sound levels which were needed for playing with extremely loud drummers. These amps were favored by both Rock ‘n Roll and Country music artists. Though still popular, such amps are now considered small and low-powered. Collection of Groove Tubes 1953 Fender Deluxe The Fender Deluxe was played by both Country and Rock artists on early recordings and are still sought after for their high quality, low volume tone. These small “tweed” amps are the favorite recording gear of Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards. Collection of Groove Tubes 1963 Vox AC30 Combo amplifier This classic British amplifier gained its popularity after the Beatles made extensive use of it in the studio and on the road during their rise to fame. A “combo” amplifier is one in which the amplifier electronics are housed in the same cabinet as the speakers. Collection of Groove Tubes C.1947 Various brands licensed from Valco amplifiers Hawaiian lap steel amplifiers Hawaiian lap steel electric guitar amplifiers contributed to the unique sound of Hawaiian music, which became extremely popular during the 1940s and 1950s. The amps were typically sold with matching lap steel guitars. The plastic cabinets are referred to as “mother of toilet seat” because toilet seats made out of the material were popular were fashionable. It is widely believed that Elvis Presley was persuaded to dance the hula in Blue Hawaii (1961) because of the captivating sound generated, in part, by such amplifiers. Collection of Groove Tubes 1985 Groove Tubes Model Soul-0 75 Custom designed This hand-made amplifier embodies three classic designs in a single unit and represents the zenith of guitar amplifier design. Although transistors began to replace vacuum tubes in electronic circuits during the 1960s, amplifiers equipped with tubes are still preferred by professional musicians who believe they contribute to a better quality sound. Collection of Groove Tubes 1965 Vox AC100 Super Beetle This Super Beetle was used on the Beatles first United States tour and later replicated by the Thomas Organ factory in Sepulveda, California for sale in America. Made in the United Kingdom, this amplifier head was modified (“hot rodded”) for Michael Sembello before recording and touring with Stevie Wonder. It was used on the song “Very Superstitious” and the subsequent live tour. Collection of Groove Tubes 1962 Fender Concert Amplifier Between the “tweed” fabric covers of the 1950s era and the black tolex of the mid 1960s, Fender used brown tolex such as that on this amplifier. This unusually clean concert amp features four 10-inch speakers and offers a vibrato effect. Courtesy of Norman’s Rare Guitars 1962 Marshall JTM 64 Plexi Bluesbreaker Combo The extremely rare and sought after JTM 64 amplifier was used by Eric Clapton with John Mayall’s Bluesbreaker band early in his career. Jim Marshall began his career developing versions of Fender amplifier designs for the British market, where Fenders were expensive imports beyond the budgets of most musicians. His company went on to become a worldwide exporter and major Fender competitor. Courtesy of Norman’s Rare Guitars 1959 Fender Tremolux The rhythmic oscillating sound called a “tremolo” was the first effect that Fender built into his amplifiers. The Tremolux was one of the larger “tweed” amplifiers available to musicians in the late 1950s. Courtesy of Norman’s Rare Guitars