Supro 1615T Tube Amplifier (1958)
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Supro 1615T Model Tube Amplifier (1958), made in Chicago, serial # X-93080, two-tone grey finish.
This mighty cool and fairly rare amp emerged in 1958 from the celebrated Valco factory in Chicago, then still designing and manufacturing their own amps while many others were subcontracting. In fact, Valco actually supplied the amps for several other notable accounts, most famously Gretsch. Their own products were sold under the National and Supro brand names; Supro was technically the budget brand, but the actual products were built to a consistent level of quality under either marque.
The model 1615T was one of the Supro line's top products "custom designed for accordion" according to the 1958 catalog, where it listed at $199.50. It even features a special 'Accordion' logo on the grille cloth. These are rare compared to the much more commonly seen 1960T, which other than the 2x10" speaker compliment is otherwise nearly identical.
Covered in the unmistakable Supro "Rhino-Hide" covering with its white 'racing stripe' accent, the 1615T features two channels, each with a treble and normal input and independent volume controls as well as a shared tone control and speed and intensity controls for the onboard "Organ Tone" tremolo. A dual-6L6GB power section yields around 24 watts into a single heavy duty 15" Jensen P15P, the sturdiest that Jensen had to offer in the day. This extra bass facility was intended for the accordion's low range, but makes the 1615T a great choice not only for standard guitar but also for Baritone Guitar, 6-string and even (at low volume) standard 4-string bass.
Height is 18 1/4 in. (46.4 cm.), 20 3/4 in. (52.7 cm.) width, and 8 1/2 in. (21.6 cm.) in depth at deepest point.
Cosmetically, this amp is simply beautifully preserved and appears to have hardly been used over its 65+ year lifespan. The classic Supro covering is in fabulous shape with only VERY minor signs of wear; only a small handful of scuffs and dings. The plushy dark grille cloth is nicely intact as well with no tears or signs of fraying, still retaining the plastic 'accordion' and 'Supro' logos. The 'Inca Gold' control panel is shiny and clean with hardly any signs of wear and all the original knobs are present as well. The amp even still retains its original black plastic handle.
Electrically, this fairly small but mighty Supro is all original. The original Jensen P15P speaker bears the code 220-751, dating it to the 51st week of 1957. It still sports the original speaker cone which sounds and tests fabulously. The Marvel/Magnetic Components-made power and output transformers are both original and bear the codes 166-708 and 166-743, dating them to the 8th and 43rd week of 1957, respectively. The amp has otherwise received our typical maintenance and servicing, including replacement of electrolytic caps, a grounded 3-prong power cord, all jacks, pots and sockets cleaned and output tubes biased to spec.
This is truly a beautifully preserved example of a very rare Valco model with iconic sound and looks. Some accordion player must have never gotten many gigs after 1958, leaving this beauty to languish out-of-sight until emerging for the 21st century. Overall Excellent Condition.
This mighty cool and fairly rare amp emerged in 1958 from the celebrated Valco factory in Chicago, then still designing and manufacturing their own amps while many others were subcontracting. In fact, Valco actually supplied the amps for several other notable accounts, most famously Gretsch. Their own products were sold under the National and Supro brand names; Supro was technically the budget brand, but the actual products were built to a consistent level of quality under either marque.
The model 1615T was one of the Supro line's top products "custom designed for accordion" according to the 1958 catalog, where it listed at $199.50. It even features a special 'Accordion' logo on the grille cloth. These are rare compared to the much more commonly seen 1960T, which other than the 2x10" speaker compliment is otherwise nearly identical.
Covered in the unmistakable Supro "Rhino-Hide" covering with its white 'racing stripe' accent, the 1615T features two channels, each with a treble and normal input and independent volume controls as well as a shared tone control and speed and intensity controls for the onboard "Organ Tone" tremolo. A dual-6L6GB power section yields around 24 watts into a single heavy duty 15" Jensen P15P, the sturdiest that Jensen had to offer in the day. This extra bass facility was intended for the accordion's low range, but makes the 1615T a great choice not only for standard guitar but also for Baritone Guitar, 6-string and even (at low volume) standard 4-string bass.
Height is 18 1/4 in. (46.4 cm.), 20 3/4 in. (52.7 cm.) width, and 8 1/2 in. (21.6 cm.) in depth at deepest point.
Cosmetically, this amp is simply beautifully preserved and appears to have hardly been used over its 65+ year lifespan. The classic Supro covering is in fabulous shape with only VERY minor signs of wear; only a small handful of scuffs and dings. The plushy dark grille cloth is nicely intact as well with no tears or signs of fraying, still retaining the plastic 'accordion' and 'Supro' logos. The 'Inca Gold' control panel is shiny and clean with hardly any signs of wear and all the original knobs are present as well. The amp even still retains its original black plastic handle.
Electrically, this fairly small but mighty Supro is all original. The original Jensen P15P speaker bears the code 220-751, dating it to the 51st week of 1957. It still sports the original speaker cone which sounds and tests fabulously. The Marvel/Magnetic Components-made power and output transformers are both original and bear the codes 166-708 and 166-743, dating them to the 8th and 43rd week of 1957, respectively. The amp has otherwise received our typical maintenance and servicing, including replacement of electrolytic caps, a grounded 3-prong power cord, all jacks, pots and sockets cleaned and output tubes biased to spec.
This is truly a beautifully preserved example of a very rare Valco model with iconic sound and looks. Some accordion player must have never gotten many gigs after 1958, leaving this beauty to languish out-of-sight until emerging for the 21st century. Overall Excellent Condition.