Comments on: Rob’s Crazy eBay Finds: 1960’s Univox Amps

By: Justin Wilson

Justin Wilson — Sat, 07 Nov 2020 18:26:03 +0000

I’m needing to replace the potometers on my Univox
Not sure if it’s a U42, U44, or U45. I’m interested in part numbers. Thanks.

I’m Justin Wilson from Alabama
2044571149.

By: Jack Matthews

Jack Matthews — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 18:25:34 +0000

I love this website. I just recently purchased a 1969 Univox Model 1076 p.a. Head. It says 200 watts on the back of the amp. It is equipped with 4 6L6’s , three 12ax7’s and a 12au7 for the phase inverter and not a circuit board in site. The middle aged lady that posted it on a local letgo site said she was a “budding “ interior decorator that had plans to screw a lamp to the top of it and stage it in a music room of an upcoming open house!!!! Thank god her services were not needed. And I paid 30.00 dollars for it. I kinda felt bad until I got it home and plugged it into a variac that had a current limiter in-line with it. Checked out ok.
I then pulled the chassis and opened it up. Bone stock. I changed all of the old Japanese cap. Then plugged it into a 4×12. OMG. Cleanest amp I ever played. Tons of headroom. I have had people tell me I should plug a distortion pedal into it and rock on. I have looked all over the internet to find a picture and cannot find one except on vintage univox.com. Are these amps collectible? Have I done a disservice by changing the caps and 2prong power cord? It has 4 inputs , 8 total high and low. Should I jump the channels to get it to distort? Maybe someone can give me some feedback at jackmatthews65@yahoo.com. Thanks

By: Joseph Befumo

Joseph Befumo — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 08:00:30 +0000

Actually, only 1/2 of the 12AX7 is used for the tremolo, with the other triode serving the usual duty as the first stage of the preamp. the second preamp stage is, indeed, the triode section of one of the 6BM8s, with an unusually high (470k) plate resistor, but the second one is configured as a cathodyne phase inverter. A very clever setup IMO. I’ve studied this circuit in some depth since EH started producing the 6BM8 tubes, which are extremely versatile. I have built several similar amps, but without tremolo, using either paralleled 12AX7s in the first spot, cascoded 12AX7s, or and EF86. All sound very good. Have also made a usable 1-tube practice amp with just the triode section serving as a preamp and the pentode section the power amp. FWIW, the triode section is roughly equivalent to a 12AY7 and the pentode section is like an EL82 (smaller cousin to the EL84.)

By: Jim 'Danelectro' Cleveland

Jim 'Danelectro' Cleveland — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 15:54:32 +0000

My older brother bought a top mount control ‘Lafayette Radio Electronics’ branded version of this amp new in 1964 or so. We still have it! Sounds great cranked with a Dan-O plugged into it! My only complaint is the internal mounting of the fuse which requires removing the back plate to gain access.

By: sherry fiset

sherry fiset — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 21:05:27 +0000

I have a Univox U60.GR electric guitar amp that I can’t seem to find any information on, it looks different than any other Univox I have seen, can anyone tell me anything about this amp.

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 22:19:57 +0000

October 2014 (6 years after article is written). I found one of these at a local music shop for $350. I can honestly say to me it sounds better than any chamfer Viber a champ I have run across. What an amazing little amp. That 12 inch Jensen speaker probably doesn’t hurt much either.

By: AB

AB — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 03:36:52 +0000

There is also a site that is dedicated to strictly Univox guitar & amps including the Univibe. Just Google up Univox and you should find it. Has the price lists, model number and all of everything they made. They were pretty descent gear that a lot of pros used. Company by Unicord also distributor for Marshall amps in U.S.A.

By: AB

AB — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 03:31:49 +0000

There used to be advertisements in a major guitar magazine with the huge Univox’s stacks that Zepplin used also Beck.

By: Jdavis

Jdavis — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 02:21:06 +0000

I recently acquired a 60s univox amp with top mount controls (volume, tone, speed). 3 inputs and a foot switch jack. Square red light next to the on off switch, all controls and switches and light in line. Has 2 10 inch Jensen speakers…anyone have any info on this amp?

By: JohnnyCNote

JohnnyCNote — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 17:59:58 +0000

Is this the same Univox as the one in the mid 70’s that made, at least as far as their wah pedals go, equipment of rather questionable quality? I once saw Jeff Beck (Beck, Bogert and Appice) and he was using Univox amps. I recall they sounded okay, but who knows if they were stock or not. The concert went downhill when Beck started using the dreaded voice-box, doing the “put your hands together” shtick. I’m sure the voice-box has its fans, besides Peter Frampton, but I must recuse myself from that group . . .

By: Big jay

Big jay — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 03:49:24 +0000

I now own three univox guitar amplifiers. They just keep showing up at very reasonable prices. I gig with one or two (ran together) univox U202R’s they are about 20+watts each and sound warm and brown clean and bluesy when turned up. I always revoice them with my own selection of speakers because I found the original Japanese Alnico to sound way too thin.

Number three is a univox U-45B I just bought out of Portland from an amp tech had to pay the most yet $225. This has become the living room amp for practice and when friends stop by and I love it’s tone. Real clean at three and dirty but not deluxe muddy when dime’d. It came with a celestiom G-12L 35 which seems to sound o.k.

By: Russ Mcdaniel

Russ Mcdaniel — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 02:08:38 +0000

I just got the front controlled amp and the univox hollow body guitar came with it. All I did was clean the pots and put some new tubes in and the result is AWESOME TONE!!!!! The guitar….. not so much. The trem does not work so I’ll have to get it fixed. Great amp!!!!!!

By: TPM

TPM — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 17:10:14 +0000

Just bought one of these last night from Bob at Rhythm & Notes in Redondo Beach, CA for $280. Bob said he left it stock except replacing a couple of caps…it’s got the Jensen speaker, which sounds great. Definitely a practice/recording/bedroom amp…I don’t think you could gig with it, unless it’s a very mellow gig and the drummer uses brushes, etc. As Rob says, stays pretty clean up until about 5 on the volume…then it slowly gets more overdriven…and it is a fantastic overdrive sound! Also, Rob is correct in saying that it is a dark tone…not muddy, but it’s not very bright at all. It’s not the find of the century, but is this: a lightweight, simple, good (and sometimes great) sounding tube amp for under $300. So far I’m happy with it. Thanks!

By: randy

randy — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:00:39 +0000

wow, I’m 58 now and this was my first amp, wish i still had it. at that time i played a gibson melody maker with a sam ash fuzzola, and a vox wah wah (1968). just got the melody maker back, still have my original wah. your picture of this amp put a tear in my eye— thanks

By: Jacob Levi Miller

Jacob Levi Miller — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 03:44:17 +0000

I just bought one of these from a friend of mine and love it. He told me it sounded terrible, and was willing to get rid of it for $45 bucks. best buy I’ve ever made!