Sano Zon-Rio Tube Amplifier (1950s)
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Item # 11748
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Sano Zon-Rio Model Tube Amplifier (1950s), made in Irvington, NJ, textured cloth finish.
Here's a truly wonderful and fairly rare example of a model Zon-Rio amplifier made by Sano Corporation in Irvington, NJ. These are obscure enough that few players have ever encountered one, but are part of our NY-area musical history. The story goes that around 1950, accordion player Nicholas Sano asked Joe Zonfrilli, the founder of several music schools called Major Music in NJ, to design a pickup for his instrument which until this point had been purely acoustic. Once the design and patent for the pickup was finished there was obviously a need for an amplifier and the following year saw the first Sano amps unveiled. There may have been over a 100 different amplifier models between the company's beginnings in 1951 to its eventual demise around 1980.
The name 'Zon-Rio' was put together from the 'Zon' of the 'ZonFrilli' family, and 'Rio' from Lou Iorio, Joe Sr.'s brother-in-law and business partner from Major Music. This particular model appears by its features and only datable component (the Jensen speaker) to be a very early example, likely early-to-mid 50s, when amps still commonly used octal metal-covered tubes. It also shares several cosmetic features with the early Ampeg amplifiers of the same era. Unlike most Sano amps, this example is branded Zon-Rio and was likely a special run made for the accordion brand (the company also made the identical model with a big Sano logo on the front).
This is the tremolo-equipped model featuring three inputs, each with a different character. The input labeled 'guitar' is the lower gain of the three with some bass-cut to it as well, the instrument input higher in level and fairly flat and the accordion input being the highest level and most full range with significant gain on tap. The control panel otherwise features standard overall volume and tone controls, a rotary power switch and 'frequency' (speed) and 'gain' (depth) controls for the on-board tremolo.
Height is 17 1/2 in. (44.4 cm.), 20 in. (50.8 cm.) width, and 10 3/4 in. (27.3 cm.) deep.
Cosmetically, the amp is in wonderful shape for being around 70+ years old! The fairly thin cloth covering is showing signs of wear especially around the lower corners and edges with some missing pieces here and there but the rest remaining nicely intact. The control panel is in great shape overall with a minor amount of wear and the graphics nicely intact. The grille cloth is wonderfully intact with no notable signs of tearing or fraying.
Electrically, the amp is nicely original. The 12" Jensen speaker bears the code 220-141, likely dating it to the 41st week of 1951. Both the power and output transformers appear original to the amp. It has otherwise received our typical maintenance and servicing including replacement of all electrolytic capacitors, a grounded 3-prong power cord, cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks and power tubes biased to spec.
A fairly high powered and versatile hidden gem from the 50s with wonderful cleans and a tremendous growl when cranked! Excellent - Condition.
Here's a truly wonderful and fairly rare example of a model Zon-Rio amplifier made by Sano Corporation in Irvington, NJ. These are obscure enough that few players have ever encountered one, but are part of our NY-area musical history. The story goes that around 1950, accordion player Nicholas Sano asked Joe Zonfrilli, the founder of several music schools called Major Music in NJ, to design a pickup for his instrument which until this point had been purely acoustic. Once the design and patent for the pickup was finished there was obviously a need for an amplifier and the following year saw the first Sano amps unveiled. There may have been over a 100 different amplifier models between the company's beginnings in 1951 to its eventual demise around 1980.
The name 'Zon-Rio' was put together from the 'Zon' of the 'ZonFrilli' family, and 'Rio' from Lou Iorio, Joe Sr.'s brother-in-law and business partner from Major Music. This particular model appears by its features and only datable component (the Jensen speaker) to be a very early example, likely early-to-mid 50s, when amps still commonly used octal metal-covered tubes. It also shares several cosmetic features with the early Ampeg amplifiers of the same era. Unlike most Sano amps, this example is branded Zon-Rio and was likely a special run made for the accordion brand (the company also made the identical model with a big Sano logo on the front).
This is the tremolo-equipped model featuring three inputs, each with a different character. The input labeled 'guitar' is the lower gain of the three with some bass-cut to it as well, the instrument input higher in level and fairly flat and the accordion input being the highest level and most full range with significant gain on tap. The control panel otherwise features standard overall volume and tone controls, a rotary power switch and 'frequency' (speed) and 'gain' (depth) controls for the on-board tremolo.
Height is 17 1/2 in. (44.4 cm.), 20 in. (50.8 cm.) width, and 10 3/4 in. (27.3 cm.) deep.
Cosmetically, the amp is in wonderful shape for being around 70+ years old! The fairly thin cloth covering is showing signs of wear especially around the lower corners and edges with some missing pieces here and there but the rest remaining nicely intact. The control panel is in great shape overall with a minor amount of wear and the graphics nicely intact. The grille cloth is wonderfully intact with no notable signs of tearing or fraying.
Electrically, the amp is nicely original. The 12" Jensen speaker bears the code 220-141, likely dating it to the 41st week of 1951. Both the power and output transformers appear original to the amp. It has otherwise received our typical maintenance and servicing including replacement of all electrolytic capacitors, a grounded 3-prong power cord, cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks and power tubes biased to spec.
A fairly high powered and versatile hidden gem from the 50s with wonderful cleans and a tremendous growl when cranked! Excellent - Condition.