Valvotronics Custom Made for and Used by Tom Verlaine Model Tube Head Preamp Amplifier (1990s), made in USA, Fred Flintstone speckle finish.
Tom Verlaine of Television is one of the musical legends we sadly lost in early 2023. Helping to pioneer the new wave and alternative rock scene in New York City in the 1970s, Tom's style of writing and the band's performances at now-legendary venues such a CBGBs quickly gained a cult following, firmly establishing their influence with the release of their debut album Marquee Moon. Verlaine's unique playing remains a sonic touchstone and required listening for several generations of electric guitarists.
Turns out, Tom was also quite a vacuum tube afficionado; a hobby and passion bordering on obsession. Tom spent decades experimenting with amplifier designs, many based around early Hi-Fi tube amplification of the 1930s. Throughout the 90s, Tom commissioned a series of custom made amplifiers from Rob Derby of Valvotronics, a handful of which we have the pleasure to feature here in our showroom. As schematics show, several of the amplifiers are iterations of an ongoing R&D pursuit of a design featuring switchable preamp and output tubes, variable bias and selectable tone-stack voicings; others are unique one-off designs exploring the concept of switchable tube types. All seemingly in the pursuit of better understanding the inherent sonic characteristics of various vacuum tube types, these creations are truly a tube-roller's (wet) dream!
This particular amplifier, clad in a textured 'Fred Flintstone' speckle finish, is a 6EA6/6SL7 based preamp head, featuring switchable preamp tubes (6EA6 and 6SL7), discrete controls for each, alongside a 6SK7 and a 6SN7 and various controls for their respective mode of operation (triode or pentode for the 6SK7 and 1 or 2 6SL7/6SN7 tubes engaged). The labeled controls are a switch between the 6EA6 and 6SL7 tubes (which is also footswitchable via a jack in the rear of the amp), hi-cut and low-cut switches, volume controls for each tube, and a master tone and volume control. The top of the chassis features switches for dual or single 6SL7s, on/off for the 6SK7 tube and triode/pentode for the 6SK7. The preamp outputs line level. The amp also has a very cool analog V.U. meter displaying the output level of the amp.
Height is 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm.), 15 1/2 in. (39.4 cm.) width, and 7 in. (17.8 cm.) deep.
Cosmetically, this little maroon head is in excellent shape and is showing only minimal wear; part of it from being a somewhat home-made piece to begin with. The speckle finish only shows a couple dings and scuffs and the hardware is overall free from any corrosive staining. The label on the front top of the chassis reads 'Valvotronics Custom Preamp'.
Electrically, this little amp is unmodified since leaving Tom's hands. It was recently looked over by the maker, Rob Derby and has been given any routine servicing and thorough tested by our amp department as well. Please note that these amplifiers are custom made to Tom's exact specs and intended for experimental studio use; in other words, they have quirks by design and may not be suited for hard touring applications. That said, they are all wonderful sounding one-of-a-kind pieces, all brainchildren of Verlaine's tireless pursuit of tone and this is a rare opportunity for any fan of Tom's to own one of his sonic creations. Excellent Condition.
