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News

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Amps

Univox UB-250 Bass Amp Video

The UB-250 is a late 60′s solid-state piggy-back (aka mini-stack) bass amp built by Univox in Westbury, New York. These were continuously made through the mid-1970′s, but this is the original design and build from 1969. Although it’s not the loudest of bass amps, it is a vintage cool analog Read more…

By alex, 13 yearsNovember 27, 2011 ago
Artists

Video: Eli “Paperboy” Reed and Silvertone 604

Eli “Paperboy” Reed blasts out his song Pick a Number, on his amplified 1960′s Silvertone 604 acoustic guitar. Check out the vintage DeArmond Hershey Bar pickup. Looks like he grabbed it off an old Harmony, Kay, or Silvertone electric.

By alex, 13 yearsNovember 21, 2011 ago
News

Steve Jobs passes away

The planet is short of one genius tonight. But it will forever be impacted by his visit. Good bye Steve Jobs. Rest in peace.

By alex, 14 yearsOctober 5, 2011 ago
Amps

1960′s Silvertone 1481 Amp New in Box?!

Holy crap! What an incredible find. Someone is selling on eBay a mid-1960′s Silvertone 1481 tube amp, brand new in the original box. That’s crazy! Original Silvertone tubes inside. Complete with original papers and Owner’s Manual. Even has the original shipping label on the box from the Danelectro factory in Neptune Read more…

By alex, 14 yearsAugust 11, 2011 ago
Amps

Gretsch 6170 Pro Bass Amp

Now on eBay I don’t know the seller or endorse the product, but here is a cool late 60′s bass amp built by Valco for Gretsch. Solid-state rectifier, 12AX7 preamp tubes (I believe?), 6L6 output tubes and a Jensen 15-inch speaker. I have not heard these amps myself, but the Read more…

By alex, 14 yearsJuly 2, 2011 ago
Artists

Clarence Clemens Passes at 69

Clarence Clemons, the great saxophone player synonymous with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band passed away today at age 69. He had suffered a massive stroke on June 12. He played with Springsteen and the band for 40 years, and was described by Springsteen as the soul of the band. Read more…

By alex, 14 yearsJune 18, 2011 ago
Artists

Sgt. Pepper is 44 Years Old Today

The Beatles album Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band was released on this day in 1967, forever changing rock and roll, and music as a whole. Tracks like A Little Help from My Friends, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, Lovely Rita, When I’m Sixty-Four, Good Morning Good Morning, A Day in the Life, Read more…

By alex, 14 yearsJune 1, 2011 ago
Amps

1960′s Vintage Ads for Kay Electric Guitars & Amps

Kay Musical Instruments of Chicago was the first company in 1962 to manufacture guitar amps that were 100% solid-state electronics. Here are some vintage advertisements from that time period. The first ad, Transistorized Amplifiers, I found as a JPEG somewhere on the Internet years ago. Unfortunately I can’t remember where Read more…

By alex, 14 yearsMay 16, 2011 ago
Amps

Kay 704 Photos Posted

Finally had a chance to upload some photos of the 1965 Kay 704 Vanguard amp we acquired last month! The photos are posted here: Gallery Photos – Kay 704.

By alex, 14 yearsMay 15, 2011 ago
Amps

Photo Gallery: Kay 704 Vanguard Vibrato

Introduced in 1962, the Kay 700 Series of guitar amps were the world’s first mass-produced amplifiers with all solid-state electronics, using early technology Germanium transistors and diodes to replace traditional vacuum tubes.

By alex, 14 yearsMay 11, 2011 ago

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Tone Gems is a labor of love, and I have maintained this website for over 15 years using my own personal resources. Thank you! I ran this site ad-free for 3 years. But unfortunately I had to bring the advertising back.

About This Site

Tone Gems: Vintage budget guitars, amps, effects pedals and gear. Plus all things early Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Tone Gems is based in the Pacific Northwest of the USA.

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About This Site

Tone Gems: Vintage budget guitars, amps, effects pedals and gear. Plus all things early Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Tone Gems is based in the Pacific Northwest of the USA.

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