Supro Model 1616T Trojan Tube Amplifier (1964)
LOADING IMAGES
Supro Model 1616T Trojan Model Tube Amplifier (1964), made in Chicago, serial # G-34692, Caribbean Blue Vinyl finish.
This is a particularly attractive small combo offering from Supro, Chicago-based Valco's in-house "open" line. This meant it was not franchised and any jobber/dealer could sell them, unlike the franchised premium "National" brand. While many Supro-branded products were generally considered budget-oriented, their Amplifiers were the same build quality level as those sold under the National brand, as well as subcontracted models made for other resellers such as Gretsch.
This Model 1616T was the smallest, entry-level amp with a tremolo effect in the line-up, not dissimilar from a Fender Vibro Champ in this era. It listed at $74.50 in 1964, just slightly cheaper than the Fender offering. This example is clad in the rather striking "Caribbean Blue Rhino Hide" vinyl covering, complimented by the black logo on the typical silver grille cloth. This is a fairly rare cosmetic variation setting itself apart from the classic dark-covered Supro look.
The amp features two inputs, one standard and one treble and master controls for volume, tone and a tremolo speed control with a fixed intensity. A single-ended 6V6-driven power section yields around 5 watts of power into a single 6x9" oval Rola speaker. As with most small Supro amps this one rolls into cranked overdrive fairly quickly in the classic Valco manner.
Height is 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm.), 19 1/4 in. (48.9 cm.) width, and 8 1/8 in. (20.6 cm.) deep.
Cosmetically this amp is in wonderful shape especially considering its age. The vinyl "Rhino Hide" covering is in excellent condition and shows only very minor wear overall. The grille cloth is beautifully clean as well with no notable tearing or fraying, retaining the black plastic Supro logo in perfect shape. The chrome control panel is nearly mirror-clean and all of the stenciled lettering is nicely intact, except the logo reads as "16T" instead of "1616T". The volume knob is the smaller of two types fitted stock to this model; usually the tone and volume are larger and the trem knob smaller. This may be a later change or simply a factory substitution; all the knobs are correct Valco stock pieces. The original handle is still intact and its hardware is very clean as well.
Electrically, the amp is nicely original. The 6x9" oval Rola speaker appears original and bears the codes 285-446, dating it to the 46th week of 1964. The speaker retains its original cone and sounds and tests great. The power and output transformers are original and bear the codes 524-64-40 and 524-64-39, dating them to the 40th and 39th week of 1964, respectively. The amp has otherwise seen typical maintenance and servicing including replacement of all electrolytic capacitors, cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks, a grounded 3-prong power cord and output tubes biased to spec. It has a powerful and clear sound at lower volumes and roars nicely when cranked. Excellent - Condition.
This is a particularly attractive small combo offering from Supro, Chicago-based Valco's in-house "open" line. This meant it was not franchised and any jobber/dealer could sell them, unlike the franchised premium "National" brand. While many Supro-branded products were generally considered budget-oriented, their Amplifiers were the same build quality level as those sold under the National brand, as well as subcontracted models made for other resellers such as Gretsch.
This Model 1616T was the smallest, entry-level amp with a tremolo effect in the line-up, not dissimilar from a Fender Vibro Champ in this era. It listed at $74.50 in 1964, just slightly cheaper than the Fender offering. This example is clad in the rather striking "Caribbean Blue Rhino Hide" vinyl covering, complimented by the black logo on the typical silver grille cloth. This is a fairly rare cosmetic variation setting itself apart from the classic dark-covered Supro look.
The amp features two inputs, one standard and one treble and master controls for volume, tone and a tremolo speed control with a fixed intensity. A single-ended 6V6-driven power section yields around 5 watts of power into a single 6x9" oval Rola speaker. As with most small Supro amps this one rolls into cranked overdrive fairly quickly in the classic Valco manner.
Height is 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm.), 19 1/4 in. (48.9 cm.) width, and 8 1/8 in. (20.6 cm.) deep.
Cosmetically this amp is in wonderful shape especially considering its age. The vinyl "Rhino Hide" covering is in excellent condition and shows only very minor wear overall. The grille cloth is beautifully clean as well with no notable tearing or fraying, retaining the black plastic Supro logo in perfect shape. The chrome control panel is nearly mirror-clean and all of the stenciled lettering is nicely intact, except the logo reads as "16T" instead of "1616T". The volume knob is the smaller of two types fitted stock to this model; usually the tone and volume are larger and the trem knob smaller. This may be a later change or simply a factory substitution; all the knobs are correct Valco stock pieces. The original handle is still intact and its hardware is very clean as well.
Electrically, the amp is nicely original. The 6x9" oval Rola speaker appears original and bears the codes 285-446, dating it to the 46th week of 1964. The speaker retains its original cone and sounds and tests great. The power and output transformers are original and bear the codes 524-64-40 and 524-64-39, dating them to the 40th and 39th week of 1964, respectively. The amp has otherwise seen typical maintenance and servicing including replacement of all electrolytic capacitors, cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks, a grounded 3-prong power cord and output tubes biased to spec. It has a powerful and clear sound at lower volumes and roars nicely when cranked. Excellent - Condition.