Kalamazoo Model Two Tube Amplifier (1966)
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Kalamazoo Model Two Model Tube Amplifier (1966), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 37161, black tolex covering finish.
The Gibson operation has used the Kalamazoo brand several times over the last century; one of the best known was as the mid-1960s budget electric line from Chicago Musical Instruments (CMI) Gibson's parent company. These little Kalamazoo practice/student amps appear with two model designations, Model One and Model Two, the latter having the addition of an onboard tremolo effect. This model thus features a dedicated speed knob (the depth was fixed) in addition to the two "loudness" and tone controls. These two circuits were also at one point featured in the Gibson-branded Skylark GA-5 and GA-5T, respectively (not to be confused with the earlier Les Paul-amp adjacent GA-5, which is basically Gibson's take on a Fender Champ).
This little Kalamazoo Model Two may have been at the bottom of Gibson's product line in 1965-7 but represented a surprisingly nice value in a small, well-engineered, point-to-point tube amp. Still, they were originally made to a price, so some shortcuts were made. Most notably the cabinet was made of fabric covered particle board and the baffle of thin pressboard, rendering these amps notoriously fragile to scuffing and drops, and are thus increasingly rare to find well-preserved. Apparently this is where Gibson cut costs, as the electronic component quality generally is excellent.
These Kalamazoo amps featured a great set of transformers made by either Schumacher or Heyboer as well as a tube compliment consisting of RCA and Raytheon branded tubes. A single 6BQ5 (aka EL84) provides around 6 watts of output power into a single 10" speaker. That being said, the circuit design greatly benefits to having some tweaks done, and while we usually work to preserve vintage pieces as designed, we've developed a "Retrofret special" upgrade package for this particular amp, that has greatly grown in popularity with our customers.
Height is 15 1/2 in. (39.4 cm.), 13 3/4 in. (34.9 cm.) width, and 7 in. (17.8 cm.) deep.
Externally, this amp remains in fabulous shape, especially considering the cabinet's proneness to wear. In fact, this may be one of the cleanest Model Twos we've ever had the pleasure to feature in our showroom. Apart from some VERY minor wear, the thin fabric covering is generally beautifully intact. Both the baffle and grille cloth are structurally sound and in excellent shape, save for a small tear in the cloth right underneath the control panel. The faceplate is beautifully clean and practically spotless, save for a minor scratch near the volume knob and a tiny bit of wear around the input jacks. All three of the rare (and often lost) oversized knobs are present as well. The handle is original and its hardware shows only minor signs of corrosion.
Electrically, this example has had a number of circuitry upgrades to improve clarity, response, and tonal muscle as well as to reduce noise and hum, which as built these are quite prone to. The power switch is now separately mounted on the faceplate instead of integral with the tone pot and the fuse is relocated to the rear chassis. It has also had a speaker upgrade to a 10" Weber 10A125, as the original speakers were very low budget. The tremolo has also been tweaked for optimal range of speed and lush depth. Both the Heyboer-made power and output transformers are original to the amp and are marked 996-6619 and 996-6615, dating them to the 19th and 15th week of 1966, respectively. The amp has also seen our typical maintenance, including a grounded 3-prong power cord, all electrolytic capacitors replaced, cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks and power section biased to spec.
This is now a great-sounding little unit, quite a bit louder than as originally designed and with a smoother overdrive curve. This represents an excellent bargain in a small authentic vintage tube combo, and we recommend getting two and running them side by side for the ultimate 10-12 watt, double-tremolo stereo rig! Excellent Condition.
The Gibson operation has used the Kalamazoo brand several times over the last century; one of the best known was as the mid-1960s budget electric line from Chicago Musical Instruments (CMI) Gibson's parent company. These little Kalamazoo practice/student amps appear with two model designations, Model One and Model Two, the latter having the addition of an onboard tremolo effect. This model thus features a dedicated speed knob (the depth was fixed) in addition to the two "loudness" and tone controls. These two circuits were also at one point featured in the Gibson-branded Skylark GA-5 and GA-5T, respectively (not to be confused with the earlier Les Paul-amp adjacent GA-5, which is basically Gibson's take on a Fender Champ).
This little Kalamazoo Model Two may have been at the bottom of Gibson's product line in 1965-7 but represented a surprisingly nice value in a small, well-engineered, point-to-point tube amp. Still, they were originally made to a price, so some shortcuts were made. Most notably the cabinet was made of fabric covered particle board and the baffle of thin pressboard, rendering these amps notoriously fragile to scuffing and drops, and are thus increasingly rare to find well-preserved. Apparently this is where Gibson cut costs, as the electronic component quality generally is excellent.
These Kalamazoo amps featured a great set of transformers made by either Schumacher or Heyboer as well as a tube compliment consisting of RCA and Raytheon branded tubes. A single 6BQ5 (aka EL84) provides around 6 watts of output power into a single 10" speaker. That being said, the circuit design greatly benefits to having some tweaks done, and while we usually work to preserve vintage pieces as designed, we've developed a "Retrofret special" upgrade package for this particular amp, that has greatly grown in popularity with our customers.
Height is 15 1/2 in. (39.4 cm.), 13 3/4 in. (34.9 cm.) width, and 7 in. (17.8 cm.) deep.
Externally, this amp remains in fabulous shape, especially considering the cabinet's proneness to wear. In fact, this may be one of the cleanest Model Twos we've ever had the pleasure to feature in our showroom. Apart from some VERY minor wear, the thin fabric covering is generally beautifully intact. Both the baffle and grille cloth are structurally sound and in excellent shape, save for a small tear in the cloth right underneath the control panel. The faceplate is beautifully clean and practically spotless, save for a minor scratch near the volume knob and a tiny bit of wear around the input jacks. All three of the rare (and often lost) oversized knobs are present as well. The handle is original and its hardware shows only minor signs of corrosion.
Electrically, this example has had a number of circuitry upgrades to improve clarity, response, and tonal muscle as well as to reduce noise and hum, which as built these are quite prone to. The power switch is now separately mounted on the faceplate instead of integral with the tone pot and the fuse is relocated to the rear chassis. It has also had a speaker upgrade to a 10" Weber 10A125, as the original speakers were very low budget. The tremolo has also been tweaked for optimal range of speed and lush depth. Both the Heyboer-made power and output transformers are original to the amp and are marked 996-6619 and 996-6615, dating them to the 19th and 15th week of 1966, respectively. The amp has also seen our typical maintenance, including a grounded 3-prong power cord, all electrolytic capacitors replaced, cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks and power section biased to spec.
This is now a great-sounding little unit, quite a bit louder than as originally designed and with a smoother overdrive curve. This represents an excellent bargain in a small authentic vintage tube combo, and we recommend getting two and running them side by side for the ultimate 10-12 watt, double-tremolo stereo rig! Excellent Condition.