Ampeg M-12 Mercury Model Tube Amplifier (1957), made in Woodside, NY, Tan "tree bark" tolex finish.
After years of being essentially a boutique builder, in 1957 Ampeg made its first push into the general use amplifier market. Advertisements of the time proclaimed that Ampeg had entered "the Popular-Priced Amplifier Field" and the Mercury M-12 model was the top of the line. Retailing at $149.50, it was intended for "Universal" uses by guitarists, singers, and accordionists alike.
Popularly refered to as the "Watermelon" series in honor of their off-pink sparkling grill cloth, the Mercury models are now somewhat rarer than the next models down in the series: The Rocket and The Jet. This particular example sounds fantastic -- turned up loud it screams like no other, with a rich low end and a well-defined high end. On lower settings it has a lovely, mellow profile. The tremolo is deep and as one would expect from Ampeg.
Height is 18 in. (45.7 cm.), 20 3/4 in. (52.7 cm.) width, and 9 in. (22.9 cm.) deep.
There are a few new capacitors and the fuse has been moved to the inside of the amp to make room for the tremolo footswitch. Excellent - Condition.
