Tag: The Beatles

1965 Vox Berkeley Super Reverb Twin

This page is a work in progress, but we’re very excited to bring you this historic amplifier!

NAME:	VOX Berkeley Super Reverb Twin (SRT) electric guitar amplifier
MODEL:	V8
MFR:	VOX USA (Thomas Organ)
ORIGIN:	Sepulveda, California
DATE:	1965
POWER:	17 Watts RMS, according to the Mfr.
REVERB:	Tube-driven 2-spring Gibbs (Hammond) Tank
TREMOLO:	VOX tremolo circuit
VALVES:	12AX7 preamps; 12AU7 reverb; 12AX7 tremolo, two (2) EL84’s output
RECTIFIER:	EZ81 Valve
SPEAKERS:	Pair of Weber (USA) 10-inch Blue Alnicos replaced the worn out Bulldogs

1965. The Beatles. Vox. What more can you say?

This 1965 model Berkeley is the original all-valve (tube) powered version that Thomas Organ produced in Sepulveda, California n small numbers from late 1965 through mid 1966. This one was partially restored by its owner “65mosrite,” giving it some fresh outer cosmetics (obtained from North Coast Music, of course), and some re-wiring and replacement of resistors and capacitors where needed.

I was fortunate enough to buy this amp from Richard H. (aka: 65mosrite), and couldn’t be happier.

North Coast Music, who runs The Vox Showroom, has some excellent data and stories related to the famous amplifier. I have provide some links to those pages below.

The Berkeley SRT Gallery

The Beatles and their VOX Amps

Video

Here is a video by 65mosrite, who worked to restore this awesome amp!

External Links

Excellent page from The Vox Showroom: The Vox Berkeley Amp

And another: The Vox Berkeley Super Reverb Tube Amp Head – Model V-8

Randy September 23, 2015 at 10:49 am

I notice that the V8 head pictured has the original flat handle, but the cabinet has the later Vox logo styled handle. Did Thomas Organ sell them paired that way when they ran out of flat handled cabs but still had the older style heads? Or is this a (fairly insignificant) mix’n match.
I have the same head with flat handle, but my cab has no handle and no holes that I can find?!? Mysterious.
Thanks
Randy

REPLY

alex September 26, 2015 at 10:57 am

Hi Randy!
I really don’t know the answer. I checked at the Vox Showroom website, and they have photos of V8 Berkeley’s that have both types of handles. Go figure? Maybe Thomas Organ was using both types at the same time? If I learn anything more about this, I will let you know.

Thanks for visiting Tone Gems.
~alex