Vintage Tube Amp

Up for sale is a beautifully authentic piece of 1950s American audio history: an original, vintage 1952 Oahu Chicago 51 vacuum tube combo amplifier, proudly handwired in Chicago, Illinois by Valco. This compact, low-wattage studio powerhouse is legendary among recording guitarists and blues harmonica (“harp”) players for its warm, vibrant clean tones and its thick, gritty, natural mid-range overdrive when pushed. &####128203; Provenance & Dating. Serial Number: X49843 (Stamped on the original rear metal badge, firmly dating production to 1952). Front Badge: Features the classic blue and bronze Oahu Publishing Co. Badge in fantastic shape. Control Plate: Displays the distinct Valco Chicago 51 graphics. &####128266; Specifications & Tube Lineup. Speaker: Features the original silver-frame 10 Rola Alnico speaker (Stamped with factory specification code 550-3). Preamp Tubes: Vintage octal-envelope 6SQ7 and 6SC7 tubes. Controls: 1 Volume Knob, 1 Tone Knob, 3 Instrument Inputs, and an On/Off toggle switch. ? Current Functionality & Condition Report. The amplifier powers up, passes audio cleanly, and controls function. It sounds absolutely killer with a gritty vintage breakup at perfect studio volumes. Tolex & Cabinet: Shows authentic vintage mojo and wear. The original cream faux-crocodile tolex covering has significant peeling, tears, and missing material on the upper corners, exposing the underlying wooden cabinet. Component Wear: The amp retains its original brown, ungrounded 2-prong power cord and vintage Mallory multi-section filter capacitor block. Like all electronic equipment from this era, it is highly recommended to have a professional vintage amp technician inspect it, convert the power cord to a modern grounded 3-prong safety cable, and evaluate the 70+ year old chemical filter capacitors for prolonged, safe modern use.