DeArmond R15T Model Tube Amplifier (1960), made in Toledo, Ohio, serial # H1-1179, brown tolex covering finish.
This spectacular-sounding if somewhat obscure little amplifier has become a tone connoisseur's choice over the last decade, one of the most sought after "non-Fender" amps of the period. The R15T was made by Rowe industries, famous for the DeArmond pickups that electrified thousands of guitars in the 1950s and '60s. DeArmond launched this line of VERY well-made amps in 1960, making this a fairly early example.
The R15T was the bigger sibling of the 5-watt R5T equipped with tremolo, running off a tube complement of three 12AX7s, two 6V6s and one 5Y3 rectifier. The control panel features two channels with two inputs each, with each its volume, a shared tone control, as well as speed and depth controls for the tremolo, with the effect reserved for the 2nd channel only. Overall a layout much like the Fender tweed Vibrolux/Tremolux of the day! A push-pull pair of 6V6 power tubes yield approx. 15 watts into a single Jensen 12" speaker. Everything made under the DeArmond name was very well engineered and a quality product in every way, and this compact amp is no exception. The components and construction are top notch all around, and the sound is divine as well!
Height is 17 in. (43.2 cm.), 20 in. (50.8 cm.) width, and 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm.) deep.
Cosmetically, the amp is very nicely preserved. The beige/rose colored Tolex covering is in very nice shape, showing only some minor staining on occasional scuffing, mostly around the corners and edges. The copper faceplate is relatively clean considering how easily these seem to corrode; it is showing minor-to-moderate amounts of corrosion/pitting, but is overall very clean and all original knobs are present and intact. The original brown rubber trem switch is also present and working.
Electrically, this little amp is nicely original. The original Jensen speaker bears the code 220-038, dating it to the 38th week of 1960. The speaker has been professionally reconed by our in-house specialists and both sounds and tests great. Both the power and output transformer are original to the amp; the Midwest Co. output transformer bears the code 549-6050, dating it to the 50th week of 1960. Visible pot codes date within '60; the tremolo depth pot has been replaced. The speaker connection was at some point junctioned to allow for easy disconnect; we chose to leave it as-is for convenience. The amp has otherwise seen 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 biased to spec. Very Good + Condition.
