1967 AGC Universal 15W Combo Tube Amplifier~ 1960s Surfy Vibrato and Reverb!

Description

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1967 AGC Universal 15W Combo Tube Amplifier~ 1960s Surfy Vibrato and Reverb!
Product description
1967 AGC Universal 15W Combo Tube Amplifier~ 1960s Surfy Vibrato and Reverb!
NOTE: Even though this is listed as pick-up only, we can arrange shipping if you cannot pick it up. Please message us to work something out if possible.
Here’s another recently acquired vintage tube amplifier; a vintage,1967 Audio Guild Corporation Universal 15 watt 1 x 12" combo guitar amplifier in very good+ condition. This amp is basically a re-imagined design of an accordian amplifier having a Magnatone style "pitch shifting vibrato" with the "Universal" name branded on it. Don Bonham(no relation to the immortal drummer John Bonham of Led Zeppelin fame) was the designer of Magnatones' game changing "pitch shifting vibrato" on that company's line of tube amps in the 1950s. He left Magnatone and founded AGC in the mid 1960s to manufacture his own line of tube amplifiers. His company produced similar amps which were re branded with various names depending upon which retailer these amps were being sold to. Universal was one of these brands, along with the names "BONHAM", "TITANO", etc.  The surf-rock tones which this particular amp can provide creates a wonderful tonal pallet for a guitarist at a great price point. Serial number #5109 on the back of the cabinet.
This amp was manufactured in the years following Don Bonham's departure from Magnatone. Don Bonham was a key engineer in inventing the pitch shifting vibrato and developing the sound of Magnatone amps before leaving the company by 1962.  After joining Audio Guild Corporation (AGC), he designed amps under the AGC brand along with other retail brands such as Universal.
This is a two-channel, vintage, 15-watt tube amp(although there is adequate research that states that this circuit has a 20 watt power output). Let your ears be the judge, but after repairs & cleaning were completed, our audio tech felt that 15-18 watts was more or less the actual volume output. One can use either input for each channel or the "dual input" with the channel selector to switch between the built in EQ. We like to jumper the channels to get the true blend of all that the circuit has to offer. The control panel includes 1 volume control, 1 bass control, and 1 treble control for channel one with 1 volume control and 1 tone control for channel 2. There is 1 reverb control for channel 2 and 2 vibrato controls having intensity and speed also for channel 2.
There is a jack for a vibrato/reverb footswitch that turns the effect on/off but there is no footswitch with this amp. There is an on/off power switch with glowing, orange jewel cover on the control panel with an anti-hum switch. On the back panel is an external speaker output with switches to choose which channels and effects will travel to the external speaker. Inside is a crisp, original 12-inch speaker along with a circuit that pushes more power than you'd expect out of a vintage 15-watt amp.
Tubes:
Two Power Tubes and Three Pre-Amp Tubes
• 2 Power Tubes: 1 replacement 7591A Ampeg by Sylvania and 1 replacement 7591 Westinghouse
• 3 Pre-Amp Tubes:  Original RCA Tubes: 2 7025s and 1 6GH8A rectifier
Amp has undergone minimal but necessary electronic restoration. This includes a re-capping of the power supply, a new grounded plug, cleaning of all circuits/knobs, and replacing the two power tubes. We cleaned all of the years of accumulated grime from the face plate with Q-tips and mild solvents; by removing all of the control knobs we were able to remove all of the schmutzik from the past 50 + years.
SPECIAL NOTE: Pix were taken PRIOR to the control panel being cleaned, new pix will be added very shortly after this listing hits the airwaves.
Multiple scratches remain around some of the knobs due to former users' carelessness. All electronic repairs & upgrades were professionally performed by JHN Electronics, located at Barracks Trading Post in Maple Shade, NJ.
ALL SALES ARE FINAL ~ NO RETURNS~
ALL ITEMS ARE SOLD IN AS-IS CONDITION.
CONDITION:
Cosmetically, this amp is in AMAZING shape considering it is pushing 50+ years. Except for some of the replaced electronics mentioned above, the rest of the amp is 100% original. There is some age-wear and corrosion around the edges of some of the inputs and knobs along the metal face plate/control panel but they do not have any effect on the playability or functionality of the amp. There is no foot pedal. There is some slight lifting of the black tolex covering in a few places, but this can be easily glued down if one so wishes. We'll leave that up to the next owner/amp custodian. Grill cloth is totally intact & without staining, tears, burn marks or any other typical, commonly found defects. Original handle, bottom feet(bumper type) are also present. Internally, the original paper tube chart is present on the lower right hand side of the chassis, is fully readable & 100% intact.  There are about 6 or more slight bends on the silver panel below the face plate on the front of the amp, above the grill cloth. Similar to what can happen to a 1968 silver faced Fender amp with the drip edge border, as this metal component is somewhat flimsy material & is susceptible to damage quite easily. Please take a look at our photographs for specific cosmetic condition.
Electronically, new power tubes were installed; the pre-amp tubes are original to this unit and all are in good working condition. All components have been tested and thoroughly cleaned during a complete inspection and tune-up. This amp was re-capped, a new grounded power cable was installed, & the entire circuit was inspected, cleaned & re-checked. Amp is 100% functioning and will serve your purposes very well for any number of applications.
DIMENSIONS:
Amplifier is 21 3/8" wide X 24 1/4" high X 9 1/2" deep; total amplifier weight is approx 45 lbs.
OUR OBSERVATIONS:
In our opinion, this is a beast of a 15-watt all-tube combo amplifier. The pitch shifting vibrato and warm reverb provide that classic Magnatone type sound and is perfect for fans of 1960s surf rock. This amp would serve well in small performance settings, rehearsals, or recording. Very user friendly! Might be a cool pedal platform as well.
NOTES:
This equipment is immediately ready to perform & will give someone many years of enjoyment. Great for many types of ones' amplification needs. Obviously, this is being sold as is, with no implied warranties or guarantees of any kind whatsoever.
We have had repairs performed that were necessary to get this amp into excellent playing condition. Work was performed by and under the guidance & supervision of James Nicholls, proprietor of JHN Electronics, Custom Audio & music reproduction fabrication & technical repairs, located at Barracks Trading Post, in Maple Shade, NJ.
If the buyer wishes to continue to upgrade this amp, that is entirely up to them. The transfer of ownership occurs when the buyer pays for this item. Upon buyer's receipt of item, seller will no longer be held liable for any defects, electronic problems or any other issues regarding this item.
Since this is vintage, fragile electronic amplification equipment, our normal return policy
DOES NOT APPLY TO THIS ITEM!
It cannot be returned to us. We package professionally & this unit will be insured for the full valuation at our expense. We accurately represent all of our items. If you have questions please feel free to contact us for an in hand description. Also, take a look at our feedback which is currently at 15,000+ & has accumulated for the past 22+ years on the eBay website.
Please inquire regarding international shipping rates prior to purchase or making us an offer. This item is subject to any prior sales,
either on another online venue or in our bricks & mortar store. If you have any interest in purchasing this equipment, please feel free to make us an offer. We're full time general antique dealers and negotiating is a large part of our business. Just sayin'......
PLEASE CONSIDER OUR PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS AS AN EXTENSION OF OUR HIGHLY DESCRIPTIVE TEXT.
**This amp needs to be picked up locally at our physical bricks and mortar shop in downtown, historic Collingswood, NJ 08108, 5 minutes from all Philadelphia, PA bridges.  If you require shipping, please contact us separately and we may be able to work something out. Any & all shipping, insurance charges, taxes, etc will be the sole responsibility of the buyer.**
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