Univox U-45B Tube Amplifier (1966)
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Item # 11303
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Univox U-45B Model Tube Amplifier (1966), made in Japan, serial # 22469, speckled charcoal fabric covering finish.
Long dismissed as unworthy of serious musicians, the interesting and often well-designed products marketed in the 1960s and '70s under the Univox brand have lately garnered much more attention from players and tone connoisseurs. Univox was a brand name of Unicord, a Long Island based operation so their products are particularly familiar to players hailing from the NY Tri-state area. The U-45B is a fairly obscure all-tube amp from early in the company's musical history.
This fabulous little tone monster is the original version of one of Univox's first early-to-mid 60's creations. The U-45 was the "junior" of two similar models; this U-45B is the more deluxe version. Both were built with chassis sourced from Japan using Japanese caps, pots and transformers, but assembled here in the US with RCA tubes and Jensen speakers. The slightly higher-powered U-45B was optimistically cataloged to as a bass model, though the only difference is the use of multifunction 6BM8 tubes allowing for a typical push-pull arrangement yielding around 10 watts of power.
This U-45B comes with a 12" Jensen ceramic C12R in a fairly deep cabinet, and does offer surprising depth and low-end response for such a low-powered amp. Although we wouldn't suggest using this as a stage bass amp, it makes a dandy all-in-one home/recording combo. Additionally, the B version included the addition of a dedicated footswitch jack for the tremolo effect on the control panel.
The simple control panel has three identical instrument inputs, volume, tone and tremolo controls. The tremolo is very nice and smooth, with fixed depth and the control varying the speed. It otherwise has a tube compliment of one 12AX7 and another 6BM8 for preamp/tremolo/phase-inverter duties and a 6X4 rectifier; overall a similar compliment to another fantastic sounding little amp: the Kalamazoo Model Two, except with a little more power on tap! The U-45B is very lightweight; super for recording or a smaller sessions where you need crisp cleans or a nice overdrive at low volume.
Height is 16 1/2 in. (41.9 cm.), 15 in. (38.1 cm.) width, and 10 1/4 in. (26 cm.) in depth at deepest point.
Cosmetically this little amp is in great shape for its age, especially for being considered a student-grade amp when new. The black sparkle Silvertone/Sears-esque fabric covering is showing only VERY minor wear mostly at the edges and corners. The grille cloth is in good condition; taut and no tearing or fraying but showing some general wear. The original plastic handle is present and intact. The handle mount and chassis mounting screws are clean and showing almost no signs of corrosion. The faceplate is VERY clean with no notable wear except some mild scuffing on the far edge near the power switch.
Electrically, this U-45B is all-original. The original Jensen C12S speaker bears the code 220-637, dating it to the 37th week of 1966. Both the power and output transformers appear original, as well as all three pots. The amp has seen our typical maintenance and servicing including a grounded 3-prong power cord, replacement of all electrolytic capacitors, cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks and biased to spec.
With a great smooth overdrive with crisp highs and woody, warm mids and lows, this little amp allows for plenty of spongy tone and singing sustain at reasonable volume. This little dark horse gem is one of the sweetest and most versatile small amps we've had in our showroom in a while! Excellent Condition.
Long dismissed as unworthy of serious musicians, the interesting and often well-designed products marketed in the 1960s and '70s under the Univox brand have lately garnered much more attention from players and tone connoisseurs. Univox was a brand name of Unicord, a Long Island based operation so their products are particularly familiar to players hailing from the NY Tri-state area. The U-45B is a fairly obscure all-tube amp from early in the company's musical history.
This fabulous little tone monster is the original version of one of Univox's first early-to-mid 60's creations. The U-45 was the "junior" of two similar models; this U-45B is the more deluxe version. Both were built with chassis sourced from Japan using Japanese caps, pots and transformers, but assembled here in the US with RCA tubes and Jensen speakers. The slightly higher-powered U-45B was optimistically cataloged to as a bass model, though the only difference is the use of multifunction 6BM8 tubes allowing for a typical push-pull arrangement yielding around 10 watts of power.
This U-45B comes with a 12" Jensen ceramic C12R in a fairly deep cabinet, and does offer surprising depth and low-end response for such a low-powered amp. Although we wouldn't suggest using this as a stage bass amp, it makes a dandy all-in-one home/recording combo. Additionally, the B version included the addition of a dedicated footswitch jack for the tremolo effect on the control panel.
The simple control panel has three identical instrument inputs, volume, tone and tremolo controls. The tremolo is very nice and smooth, with fixed depth and the control varying the speed. It otherwise has a tube compliment of one 12AX7 and another 6BM8 for preamp/tremolo/phase-inverter duties and a 6X4 rectifier; overall a similar compliment to another fantastic sounding little amp: the Kalamazoo Model Two, except with a little more power on tap! The U-45B is very lightweight; super for recording or a smaller sessions where you need crisp cleans or a nice overdrive at low volume.
Height is 16 1/2 in. (41.9 cm.), 15 in. (38.1 cm.) width, and 10 1/4 in. (26 cm.) in depth at deepest point.
Cosmetically this little amp is in great shape for its age, especially for being considered a student-grade amp when new. The black sparkle Silvertone/Sears-esque fabric covering is showing only VERY minor wear mostly at the edges and corners. The grille cloth is in good condition; taut and no tearing or fraying but showing some general wear. The original plastic handle is present and intact. The handle mount and chassis mounting screws are clean and showing almost no signs of corrosion. The faceplate is VERY clean with no notable wear except some mild scuffing on the far edge near the power switch.
Electrically, this U-45B is all-original. The original Jensen C12S speaker bears the code 220-637, dating it to the 37th week of 1966. Both the power and output transformers appear original, as well as all three pots. The amp has seen our typical maintenance and servicing including a grounded 3-prong power cord, replacement of all electrolytic capacitors, cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks and biased to spec.
With a great smooth overdrive with crisp highs and woody, warm mids and lows, this little amp allows for plenty of spongy tone and singing sustain at reasonable volume. This little dark horse gem is one of the sweetest and most versatile small amps we've had in our showroom in a while! Excellent Condition.