Has anyone ever played through a Standel 25L15? I know that this is the amp that Chet Atkins used for most of his career and he had fantastic tone.

The reissues are out of my price range, but Weber is coming out with a kit that's a clone of (or inspired by, there's not much in the way of details available) the 25L15 and, quite frankly, I'm getting amp kit GAS (sounds painful, doesn't it?:D) several months before the release of the kit.

In the meantime, I'd be happy to hear any Standel stories, especially Gretsch and Standel stories.

Cassady

To bad Paul Setzer or JeffO isn't here they could be of some help.

Finally,

After 2 years of searching, here it is for everyone: The Standel Schematic for the 25L15 amplifier.

This particular one does come from an unnamed source that is supposedly coming out with a kit, but will cost over $4,500. If that's not a ripoff I don't know that is.....

Please don't misunderstand me; I'm not saying that a true Bob Crooks Standel isn't worth the asking prices. I'm saying that a copy of this man's work, The Finest Guitar Amplifer Ever Made, is not worth 5 grand.

Here is it in raw format where the entire human race can benefit from Mr. Crooks efforts and superior intelligence. I think he would prefer to see us all enjoy his work than only the few that have thousands of dollars floating around for ~500 bucks worth of parts in a wooden cabinet.

All the best, take care,
Frank Roy

That looks like Ted's schematic.

Weber's JP25 Kit (https://taweber.powweb.com/store/kits_weber.htm#jp25)

Schematic (https://taweber.powweb.com/store/jp25_schem.jpg)

Weber's JP25 Kit (https://taweber.powweb.com/store/kits_weber.htm#jp25)

Schematic (https://taweber.powweb.com/store/jp25_schem.jpg)

The Weber looks a little different. I'm no expert but just visually it is different.

Yeah, I should have clarified. The unnamed source in Guitarsmith's post is Ted Weber.

This Weber Standel style kit has been in the works for some time. It was formerly known as "The Pennebaker 25," which is the title on Guitarsmith's schematic. It is currently called the JP25 with a revised schematic dated June '09.

Here's an old blog post about the Pennebaker 25. (http://cornponepapers.blogspot.com/2008/09/last-mystery-standel-25l15.html)

the standel thing is interesting. I have a hard time believing that ted would be charging so much for a kit though... is there substantiation for that?

Is the Pennebaker name after james? He is certainly one of my favorite guitar players.

I have only played out of solid state (later) standels, which is why I had no earlier comment, and i guess when a post says "I hope so and so shows up" I always think that the problem is solved....

I think the 'messy' lead dress mentioned in the article is really just the presence of true point to point wiring which looks messy but isn't necessarily inefficient or poor work...

like a lot of these 'holy grail' things lots of mystery and conspiracy... I'm gonna check this out a bit.

Here is a 'near released' 807 kit (https://taweber.powweb.com/store/kits_weber.htm#807).... Where is the super high price?

Why must the seller be unnamed? Why the secrecy... it makes no sense to me.

Ted is really sick right now.... is there some other builder they are talking about?

Getbent: I'm not sure who Guitarsmith had in mind regarding the "unnamed source" of the $4,500.00 kit. (A new production Standel is less than 4k.) The source of the schematic is Weber. The JP25 kit on his site is listed at $650.00. So, there may be some confusion over price, or another kit provider has borrowed Weber's drawing, or ?

Cassady: Deke Dickerson has some good info on Standel. He has a little bit on his site (http://www.dekedickerson.com/gear.php). He also wrote a history for the Standel site (http://www.standelamps.com/about_us/story/index.html).

Okay okay,

There's no need say that I'm hiding anything for whatever reason(s). I just did not want to insult or accuse anyone - that could be considered slander. Plus, in a public forum, it could be considered defamation of character.


Having said this, I would like to say, on a "completely different matter", that Torres Engineering is selling a Standel-based 807-driven Baxandall tone cuicuit JBL speaker sounding amp called the Bakersfield.

THEY WANT $4500.

Here's the site: http://www.torresengineering.com/newbroandcoa.html

Here's the photo: http://eventcom.net/torresgraphics/BAKERSFIELD2008.jpg



Be your own judge - is this worth the money they're asking?


I'm just sayin'............................................ ......



Cheers!!!
Frank

Guitarsmith,

Thanks man! Oy vey, Torres... uh no thanks... been there and done that....

I also found that Standel (http://www.standelamps.com/vintage_plus/25l15/index.html) is making amps! They run about 3400.00 (yee haw!) but I suppose they are the real deal....

Merle Travis is pretty much my favorite character in the whole world... so it would be fun to have one of those amps... but, I'd be more likely to build one of Ted's kits and call it close enough...

I'd bet those standels are cool... could I take them to the ragged places I play? It'd be interesing that is for sure...

thanks again the info. Anyone who has had the Torres experience will know what you are talking about... so, I understand and appreciate your discretion....

Ha ha, I just read the torres site... the whole thing is classic Torres... lots of bluster and not quite right... why Bakersfield? Merle and Maphis and those fellers all bought those amps on the other side of the Grapevine and were playing Cal's Corral and all those places as much or more (in LA) than Bakersfield... I guess it is all 'close enough' but, it is probably a good amp... boy that enclosure, the graphics etc look, uh, not good.

Why not spend some time and make it really cool? especially if it is gonna be +4K?

Maybe they are going for the dumble vibe of hippie engineering... weird.

I may spin up there and give one a listen if he has one in his shop.... that would help me decide if I want to tackle a kit that complicated.

Well versed in the Torres dogma but to be fair the Bakersfield retails at 1995.

I forget who it was but a guy on the GDP pieced one together sharp and authentic looking. Paul Stezer just did two Standel look alikes and used two of Dula's 5 watt amps. One has a 10 inch and the other a 12 inch. Something different and sharp!

that is a bodacious discount! How DO THEY DO THAT!!!!????

Wow!

that is a bodacious discount! How DO THEY DO THAT!!!!????

Wow!

Mr. Torres is really a fairy godmother who waves his magic wand! Presto! Discount! Looking to take Flo's job on the Progressive commercials!

If I was told correctly

The new Standels are NOT the exact same circuit.

The Weber kit IS the exact same circuit.

Probably only 50 of the originals still exist, since I think only 72 25L15's were made.

Deke Dickerson owns 3.

As soon as I sell one of my 2 or 3 Tweed Deluxe Clones I'm buying the Weber kit.

THE STANDEL STORY
The "Butcher Paper" List

Bob maintained a list of his early orders on a large piece of "butcher paper" which he hung on his garage wall where he built the amps. The following is a recreation of that list. It includes amp model, serial number, date of manufacture and original owner. We added the "current owner" column.

If you happen to be fortunate enough to own an original 25L15 and would like for your name to appear as current owner (or to be removed), please email your request and we will happily add you to the list.
The "Butcher Papter" List

MODEL# SERIAL# D.O.M. ORIGINAL OWNER CURRENT OWNER



25L15 Prototype 1953 The Standel Co. On Display at the Standel Factory

25L15 #1001 10-1-53 Speedy West - Capitol Recording Artist Gene Allen (former) Freedom Guitars (current)


25L15 #1002 10-1-53 Merle Travis - Capitol Recording Artist Richard C. Allen R.C. Allen Guitars


25L15 #1003 10-23-53 Dick Stubbs - Town Hall TV Unknown

25L15 #1004 10-23-53 Joe Maphis Town Hall TV CMHOF (former) Eddie Pennington(former) Jody Maphis(current)

25L15 #1005 10-23-53 Jim Corwin Unknown

25L15 #1006 11-03-53 The Whipoorwills - Roy Rogers Band Unknown - Was on eBay before 2007

25L15 #101 12-26-53 Vernon Polk - Les Brown's Band Unknown

25L15 #1007 12-26-53 Ernie Ball - Western Varieities TV Unknown

25L15 #1008 01-15-54 Bill Thrasher Unknown

25L15 #1009 01-04-54 Ethan Williams Unknown

25L15 #1010 02-25-54 Richard Allen Jerry Miller(former) Paul Yandell (former) Russ Cochran (current)

25L15 #1011 03-27-54 Hank Thompson - Capitol Records Unknown

25L15 #1012 03-20-54 Doug Whitenton Unknown

25L15 #1013 03-27-54 Hank Thompson - Capitol Records Unknown

25L15 #1014 03-27-54 Hank Thompson - Capitol Records Unknown

25L15 #1015 03-37-54 Hank Thompson - Capitol Records Music Hall Of Fame - Pete Drake Exibit

25L15 #1016 04-05-54 Dan Boyd Unknown

25L15 #1017 05-05-54 Earl Smith Unknown

25L15 #1018 04-10-54 Paul Bigsby Unknown

25L15 #1019 04-17-54 Johnnie Thompson Unknown

25L15 #1020 04-24-54 Jimmy Day w/Lefty Frizzel Chet Atkins(former) Paul Yandell (donated) Country Music Hall of Fame

25L15 #1022 05-18-54 Red Hays Unknown

25L15 #1023 05-15-54 Wayne Burdick - Tex Williams TV Show Chas Smith

25L15 #1024 06-09-54 Eddie Dean - Capitol Records Brian Mulligan

25L15 #1025 07-03-54 Henry Maddox - Maddox Brothers & Rose Unknown

25L15 #1026 07-25-54 Les "Carrot Top" Anderson, Town Hall Unknown

25L15 #1027 06-24-54 Marian Hall Bill McHenry 907-357-1010 (Alaska) (sold MAR 2009 - ebayID "g***4" - $16521 - Lives in Connecticut)

25L15 #1028 07-30-54 Butterball Harris - Grand Ole Opry Unknown

25L15 #1029 08-01-54 Bud Chambers Unknown

25L15 #1030 08-16-54 Bob Wilson Unknown

25L15 #1031 08-13-54 Gary Wilson Unknown

25L15 #1032 08-21-54 Don Snow Don Snow (sold Apr 2008 - Deke Dickerson 'eccofonic' on ebay - $12776)

25L15 #1033 09-25-54 Phil Sperbeck Unknown

25L15 #1034 11-10-54 Lee Buck Mike Black

25L15 #1035 11-18-54 Roy Collier Unknown

25L15 #1036 01-14-55 Buddy Emmons Unknown

25L15 #1037 01-21-55 Vic Ashmead - Merle Lindsay Band Jimmy Young

25L15 #1038 01-21-55 Johnnie Patterson - Merle Lindsay Band John Lewis

25L15 #1039 03-12-55 Jimmy Wyble - Vernon Gosnell Unknown

25L15 #1040 03-15-55 Darrrell Johnson Unknown

25L15 #1041 03-15-55 Henry Boynton - The Morgan Brothers Henry Boynton - The Morgan Brothers

25L15 #1042 04-02-55 Kenneth Jacks Unknown

25L15 #1043 05-14-55 Bud Alden Unknown

25L15 #1044 05-28-55 Ben Jack Unknown

25L15 #1045 06-15-55 Demonstrator - Tom Turman Unknown

25L15 #1046 07-19-55 William Howard Unknown

25L15 #1047 08-01-55 Babe Thompson Unknown

25L15 #1048 08-05-55 Jack Lester Unknown

25L15 #1049 09-21-55 Shady Brown Richard Glick - Fine Guitar Consultants

25L15 #1050 09-30-55 Jimmy Murrah Unknown

25L15 #1051 09-28-55 Hank Thompson - Capitol Records Jesse A. Morris - Western Swing Journal

25L15 #1052 09-30-55 Don Hemminger Unknown

25L15 #1053 12-23-55 Harry Mycroft Unknown

25L15 #1054 01-56 Truma & Alice Teel Unknown

25L15 #1056 02-56 Ray Collier Unknown

25L15 #1057 05-56 C.W. Wilson Unknown

25L15 #1058 07-01-56 Freddie Hoover Unknown

25L15 #1055 07-15-56 Doug Farmer Unknown

15L12 #3002 07-21-56 "Bookie" Madin Unknown

25L15 #1059 07-22-56 Jimmy Kelley Unknown

25L15 #1060 07-23-56 Mike Young Terry Bethel (former), Herb Steiner - Austin, TX (Current)

25L15 #1061 08-18-56 Larry Solomon Unknown

25L15 #1062 08-21-56 Joe Babcock Unknown

25L15 #1063 08-22-56 Pete Tester Unknown

25L15 #1064 09-24-56 Glen Harding Unknown

25L15-28 #2001 10-15-56 Merle Travis - Capitol Recording Artist Unknown (1 x 15" & 2 x 8" spks)

25L15 #1065 11-01-56 Leon Roach Unknown

10L8 #4002 11-05-56 Billy Clark Unknown

25L15 #1066 11-25-56 Darrell Johnson Unknown

dammit! I have to have one.

I'd love to have one. I'd also love to get one of those Echosonic remakes that MBL on the GDP is making...just don't have 6 grand to shell out for one...

Hey all!!

I'm back - and this time I have some goodies for everyone from my latest online treks in the Quest For Tone.

The famous April 1953 Ray Butts Echosonic model EA-1 amplifier. I have a small diagram of it, a basic schematic with (unfortunately) no values (CAN ANYONE FILL THEM IN AND POST THEM PUHLEEZZ!).

I also have 3 pages of details instructions on how the tape echo functions as part of the amplifier - a very good read. I hae never seen these posted anywhere in online forums before until now!!

Let's all get some information together and maybe we can have a working schematic for all of us to enjoy.

Thank you,
Frank

Hello everyone,

Well, yet another day of searching, and I have found partial if not the complete tube compliment for the Ray Butts Echosonic EA-1 amplifier, eventually also the Rickenbacker M-30 Ek-O-Sound amp.

Please see the attachment for a photo of an original tube chart. It is difficult to read but it looks like this:


REAR BOTTOM: 12AX7 - 12AX7 - 12AU7 - 12AU7 - 5V4

FRONT BOTTOM: 12AX7 - 12AT7 - 12AU7 - 6L6 - 6L6

Right front side of chassis: 5AR4

Can anyone confirm this with a known good source?

Thank you once again!

Frank

Frank, if you ever frequent the Gretsch Discussion Pages there's a member there with the username "MBL" that builds Echosonics. There was a thread on there about a month ago(that's when I read it anyway; I rarely visit that site anymore for reasons of my own) with soundclips and the amps sound great. They should sound great...he gets 6 grand for one! I'd really love one, but the more I think of it I can get by just fine with a Boss DM-2 for my echo needs.

Well,

Perhaps hearing of Les Paul's death last week was too much for Ted. Either way, he must have been really really sick, poor guy, cause This Hero of our time has passed away....... R.I.P. Mr. Weber....

...and I had just left you a voicemail that Friday asking for one of your JP25 Amp kits whenever you'd have time, as it seems that is the only amp kit that was not available while you were sick...... I WILL NOT GIVE UP TED!


http://www.kokomotribune.com/cnhi/kokomotribune/obituaries/local_story_228004437.html


MY MOST SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO THE WEBER FAMILY DURING THIS VERY DIFFICULT TIME - MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU ALL.

Frank Roy

For your consideration and enjoyment.

Wow!!! Thanks!!

Too bad you dont have the rest of the hand-drawn one. The values on the top one are tough to read, guess i'll have to piece it together.

I have been hearing that there are LOTS of variations in the real ones- they were built to order for individuals. So i'm sure the real ones vary wildly from amp to amp. Too cool.

Hi RedTopLoader!

I've seen you all over in many forums and no epay too I think for quite some time now. Since I'm a Tele guy, it makes sense that I recognize your alias right away!

If you can tell me which value(s) you are having a hard time reading, send me a pic with those values circled in red or something - I'll get them for you.

As for the cutoff part, yeah, it's missing. But as you can tell, it is only the power amp section. When running 807's, it's pretty simple to figure out what goes where. As you can see, the cap and resistor in parallel to ground at the top, and the 3 wires are going to nowhere - if you look at the JP25 schematic I've posted, you can see this on that schematic very clearly, and it is very complete.

PLEASE NOTE: the JP25 circuit indicates an 8Ohm speaker, but all JBLs I've seen in Standels, and my personal 1954 JBP speaker are all 16Ohms. You need a different OT, among other things.

Hope this helps - good luck!!

Frank

Sent you a PM guitarsmith...

Hey Redtop,

Pardon the delay in replying to your message, I'm still doing some work in my place.

I've just sent you a PM answering your questions, I hope you find the information insightful and useful.

It's great to hear from you, hope all is well, take care,


Frank

I know this is a old thread and not in the right place. But, I play for/ friends with Sean Mencher from High Noon and he might be selling his Standel 25L15 #16 , of the new ones signed by Bob Crooks. including road case.

I know he bought this while touring with Wayne Hancock

Anyone interested PM me and I'll put you in touch.

Holy cow!

A fella starts a thread that doesn't generate lots of activity, goes away for a while (OK, a long while), and it comes back to life with LOTS of good information.

I'm hoping that Weber, even with the tragic loss of Ted, will come up with this kit sometime, but in the meantime, I've ended up with a beefed up Princeton Reverb (also from Weber, the 6A14HP with 15" speaker and ~30 watts) that's doing a pretty good job of the clean side of things for now.

Thanks, everyone!

Cassady

Hello all!!

Does anyone have a good source for chassis material? Or maybe just the plans to the 2 chassis for a Standel 25L15? Pre-amp and power amp with 807s not EL34s...

I'd like to find someone who can make these properly as I do not have the machinery available at my disposal.

I also need a cabinet made if anyone has any skills... upholstery is not my forte.

I have very detailed photos of Standel 25L15 amplifiers if needed for measurements etc.

Thank you,
Frank

Ha all,

Thanks for posting the schematic, Guitarsmith. It's a very interesting circuit- the tone controls are active, and placed in the feedback loop of the 2nd and 3rd stages. They are also set up only to boost, and not cut the bass and treble (the max is about 12dB for each).

Also, although the circuit looks superficially like a Williamson design, there is no overall negative feedback, which I recall was one of the main features of the Williamson design.

I did, however, notice one small error- the two resistors that connect between the balance pot and the grids of the power tubes are labeled as 100 OHM 1 W, But they actually need to be quite a bit higher in value than that, or most of the signal will be shunted to ground. The original Williamson used 100K resistors in that position.

Andy

Mine's on order. Kit from Weber, that is.

http://www.wcsh6.com/life/programming/local/207/story.aspx?storyid=111289&catid=50

I posted this before but here is a reissue standel with a gretsch jet/ dynas and a little nocturne

What did you order Jeff..?

25L15 kit

Order didn't go through yet, so I have to resubmit.

url? like to look at it, I really wouldn't mind puttin one together...a good one....

I found an excellent small magnifier (3in) with bulb for a little over 20 bucks at All-Spec and bought one for work, has a good clamp base and gooseneck...need one here....

and found the link...sorry

Hi Jeff,

Just wondering where online you found a link to order this kit, as I was told it was discontinued. I wanted to buy it just for the cabinet.

Can you please send me the link? I looked on the page of the original link but it is of course gone.

Thanks!
Frank




25L15 kit

Order didn't go through yet, so I have to resubmit.

ULTRA RARE AND JUST BEAUTIFUL!!! THANK YOU DEKE!!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Original-1956-STANDEL-25L15-tube-guitar-amplifier_W0QQitemZ310186430650QQcmdZViewItemQQptZ LH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item48388d50ba

More.....!!

The rest of'em!!

THANK YOU DEKE DICKERSON!!!!!

------------------ DESCRIPTION ----------------------

Original 1956 STANDEL 25L15 tube guitar amplifier!
What you are bidding on is an original 1956 Standel all-tube guitar amplifier. This is a model 25L15 with an interesting story to tell. Get comfortable in your chair and I'll tell you all about this amp. Suffice it to say that these early tube Standel amplifiers are some of the rarest, best sounding and most desirable guitar amplifiers on the planet. You don't get an opportunity to bid on one of these very often, so give yourself a great Christmas present this year, an insanely rare 1956 tube Standel!

Those familiar with the Standel amp history know that the first Standel amplifier was called the 25L15 (which stood for 25 watts, Lansing speaker, 15 inch). Beginning in 1953, these were handmade amps built on a custom basis for famous musicians and people who wanted the very best. Famous guitarists and steel guitarists like Speedy West, Joe Maphis, Merle Travis, Chet Atkins, Buddy Emmons, Hank Thompson, Ernie Ball and many more all had one of these early 25L15 custom built amps. These first 66 amplifiers were registered on a crudely handwritten "butcher paper" list, where Standel founder Bob Crooks noted who bought each amplifier. Today out of the 66 original 25L15's made, only 18 of them known to exist.

Here's a link to the original "butcher paper" list:

http://www.standelamps.com then click on "history" then "butcher paper list."

These Standels were the original "boutique" amplifier, made in super limited quantities on a custom basis, and were very expensive at the time, about twice the cost of a Fender. Although Standel never sold as many amplifiers as Fender, Bob Crooks' innovations, such as separate volume and tone controls, front-mounted control panel, the light-up control panel, the use of JBL speakers, the "piggyback" amp and closed back cabinets were all ideas that Standel implemented several years before Fender essentially borrowed these ideas for their own. Today, reproduction 25L15 Standel amps are being made again, on a boutique basis, by the man who currently owns the Standel name, Danny McKinney of Requisite Audio.

This amp is an unusual amp. basically this is the 1956 "shop prototype" for the 2nd series of Standel amps, the 50L15. This amp has an original early 25L15 cabinet, and an early 25L15 preamplifier, but it has a power amplifier that was the shop prototype for the next series of amplifiers, which became the 50L15. If you're following me here, it's essentially a 25L15 but with a different (50L15 type) power amplifier in the bottom. The power amp in the bottom has evidence of a variety of configurations, lots of extra holes and evidence of experimental wiring circuits, but today is equipped with 6DQ6A tubes, which were the power tube complement that Standel would use from 1956 until they quit using tubes altogether around 1963-1964.

This amp also was originally fitted with a 12-inch speaker baffle and a 12-inch speaker. I have the original 12-inch baffle, which comes included with this auction. But I wanted a 15-inch JBL in the amp so I made a replica baffle for the amp to mount a JBL D130 speaker. I carefully removed the nails holding the Standel plexiglass nameplate and put the nameplate on the 15-inch baffle. So--everything it came with is still there and included in the auction, but the baffle that is on the amp right now is a replica that I made to fit a 15" speaker.

Here is a link to the history of Standel amps:

http://www.standelamps.com /about_us/story/index.html

I am the person responsible for writing this "History of Standel Amps" on the Standel website, but I owe a lot of my information to the man who turned me on to these amps in the first place, a record producer named Mark Neill. Mark was the guy who really began the interest in early tube Standels, back in the early 1980's. Mark was (and is) a Merle Travis and Joe Maphis fan and began searching out these amps, and information about them, before anyone else. His knowledge helped me develop an interest in these amps, and spurred me on to further research about them. I bought this amp from Mark in the early 90's. Mark himself found it at a drum shop in San Diego ten years earlier. Both Mark and myself would take this amplifier to Bob Crooks to see what he remembered about it. Before Bob Crooks died, he was working at Barcus Berry in Huntington Beach and was very accessible. You could bring in an amp or a photo and he would tell you what he remembered about it. Bob indicated that this amp was the shop prototype between the 1st series of amps and the 2nd series of amps. He also pointed to the two oddly placed furniture tacks on the top of the amp (see photo), which Bob said indicated that this was shop prototype #2.

As a prototype, this amp was never "finished" out with many of the typical Standel appointments. There is no "flocking" sprayed on the inside of the amp cabinet. There is no light-up Standel control panel, instead just a couple of radio dials for Volume, bass, and treble, and chicken-head black knobs. Bob Crooks also seemed to remember this amp had no nameplate on it originally, but the one that is on there now is an original Standel nameplate from the 1957-1959 era. The evidence that it was put on after the fact lies in the fact that it is affixed to the right side of the speaker, whereas the Standel nameplate was traditionally mounted on the left side of the speaker. There are a few other features that make this amp more primitive than a production model 25L15, but it is what it is, an actual shop prototype amplifier used to come up with the power amplifier circuit for the 2nd series of amplifiers.

Mark Neill also showed the amplifier to legendary guitarist Joe Maphis at a San Diego concert in the 1980's. Joe Maphis remembered the amplifier well. Joe recalled this amp was brought to the "Town Hall Party" show on many occasions while Bob was testing out designs. Joe said he played through it, and Rose Lee also played through it. There is no proof of this, of course, except for Joe's verbal recollection to Mark Neill.

The most obvious candidate for who took this amplifier to San Diego would be Tommy Turman, who was and still IS a monster western swing guitar player in the San Diego/El Cajon area. Tommy is listed on the original "butcher paper" list as the original owner of #1045, which is listed as "demonstrator." One might jump to the conclusion that this is amplifier #1045, but the evidence doesn't support it. More than likely Tommy was given this prototype amp to try out and see how he liked the new circuit design, and it just stayed in San Diego until Mark Neill found it in the early 80's at a drum shop down there. I've asked Tommy, and he did not remember it specifically, but he did remember having a lot to do with the early Standel company and the field-testing of their amps. (Tommy also worked with Paul Bigsby on an early floor-pedal version of the "B-bender" around 1957, he is the real deal and a great guy!)

There is a pencil marked "1096" on the inside of the cabinet (see photo). This number would fall in line with the Standel numbering system, with the butcher paper going up to serial #1066, but it would seem to me that this amp should actually be earlier than that, and if there were thirty more 25L15's built between the last one on the butcher paper list, and this amp, I'd be surprised. So I will say that this number PROBABLY doesn't mean anything. Bob Crooks had absolutely no memory of the number or why he would have even numbered a shop prototype amp.

The condition of the amp is very good for a naugahyde-covered 53-year old amplifier. There are a couple of minor tears in the naugahyde, one of which has been repaired with thread and hot wax (see photos). The metal floor bumpers show lots of scuffs and dings from use. The amp had casters on it at one time and there are holes where the casters were removed and replaced with original type "bumper" feet. The original handle was broken and replaced (these amps are very heavy and none of them have the original leather handle--they all broke at some point lugging these things around). Overall, however, the condition is quite good, and most of these amps have the original naugahyde torn to pieces, or they have been recovered. This one has the original naugahyde (and original speaker grillcloth on the 12-inch original baffle). The speaker that is in the amplifier now is an original "signature" model Jim Lansing (JBL) D130. However, I do not think that this speaker sounds very good and I am including a SECOND JBL D130 (one from the late 50's/early 60's--worth $250 on its own!) with the amplifier. So, you will have one speaker that is period correct to the amp, and one that you can actually play! Both speakers will come in seperate boxes. I will add another picture to the auction once I pick out a good D130 to include with this amp.

This amp has been completely electronically gone through. it has been recapped, resistors replaced, etc. I always wanted to actually PLAY this amplifier and I still find the guys who collect amplifiers with original internal components that have gone bad to be slightly insane. Very high quality components were used.

-------------------- The rest of the description ---------------------------


Some astute observers will notice that the cabinet design is slightly different than the earlier Standels. The cabinet edges are more rounded, where the early ones are squared off. The aluminum trim is a plain metal band instead of the slightly fancier and wider metal bands used on the first amps. The answer for that is simple, Bob Crooks changed his amps and the features on them as he went along. I wondered about this myself until I was able to see amplifiers #1051 and #1060, as well as another amp that appeared to a slightly later production model amp like this one, with the 25L15 cabinet and preamp, but the 2nd series 6DQ6-equipped power amp, and these amplifiers have identical cabinet construction.

PLEASE NOTE: These photos were taken with flash photography and the amp appears lighter than it does in person. I used the flash to properly illuminate the amp's flaws, such as the tears in the naugahyde. Just note that the actual amp is not so bright "white."

Ebay only allowed me to load 12 photos in the auction, but I will try to upload some more images from photobucket of the original 12-inch baffle, the amp sides and some more close up details.

How does the amp sound? It sounds loud and clean, which was the Standel sound. Do not buy this amp thinking you will play "da blooze" on it, because it won't give you that. If you turn up the amp all the way it gives a gritty kind of overdrive that cuts through and holds its own, but it is not a distortion-overdrive type amp. that's not what Standels were designed to do. They were meant to be loud and clean, and that's why the country and jazz and steel guitar guys loved them so much.

Why am I selling this amp? Some of you who know me personally know that I bought Standel #1032 about a year and a half ago. After owning both of these amplifiers for that time, I've realized that having two of them qualifies me for an episode of "Hoarders." It's time for me to pass this amplifier on to the next owner, and I can use the money for better things right now.

I will include a written "certificate of authentication," indicating everything I've written here, and documenting the transfer of ownership.


This amp will come shipped in no less than 4 boxes. Therefore the shipping calculator is not accurate and I will have to calculate actual postage to wherever you are once the auction ends. However, the shipping calculator should give you a rough idea. This amplifier will be shipped with the two JBL speakers each packaged in a speaker shipping box, the power amplifier packaged in a separate shipping box, and the cabinet/preamplifier packaged in a separate shipping box. Insurance is required and will be part of the shipping quote.

LOCAL PICKUP IN LOS ANGELES IS ALWAYS OKAY. I'd much rather safely hand this amp off to somebody than ship it off to a faraway place.

ALSO--PLEASE NOTE I WILL SHIP OVERSEAS! For some reason I could not figure out how to get ebay to accept the auction with the amp dimensions and weight, so I had to remove the foreign shipping options from the shipping calculator. But i WILL ship this amp outside of the USA.

Bid now, bid high, don't let it slip away! Check out my other auctions for more great stuff.

Buyer pays actual shipping. Local pickup in Los Angeles area always OK. Please note: All items are sold strictly "as is" so please study the auction and the photos and email with any questions before bidding. NO RETURNS! I accept paypal, of course, and other arrangements for payment can be made if so desired. This is a worldwide auction, but please note if you are in Canada or Italy, I have two disclaimers below. No exceptions!

CANADIAN BIDDERS: Due to high incidence of mail fraud, I require registered mail shipping. I will ship regular mail to Canada only if the buyer waives all responsibility after it leaves my hands. Otherwise, registered mail to Canada is required.

ITALY: NO BIDDERS FROM ITALY! If you are from Italy, your bid will be cancelled. Sorry, I've had too many problems with Italian bidders. If you look at my feedback I received two negative feedbacks in the last year, BOTH from Italians who were absolutely impossible to deal with. Due to eBay's irresponsible new rules prohibiting sellers from leaving negative feedback, I cannot allow bidders from Italy anymore. NO ITALIAN BIDDERS!


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On Dec-06-09 at 14:12:12 PST, seller added the following information:

I got an email from Danny McKinney at Standel catching me on one mistake I made in the listing--of course I knew this, but spaced out when doing the auction. Standel was the first to offer separate BASS and TREBLE tone controls, not VOLUME and TONE as I've written above in the description. That's what I meant to say, but it came out wrong! Also, Danny says that the "1096" looks like Bob Crooks' handwriting, comparing it to other paperwork he has from the original company. So it's very possible that the #1096 is the serial number, written in pen by Bob Crooks himself.

Very nice...already too rich for me...

Does anyone out there have the means or connections to get me 2 metal chassis to build my Standel 25L15-based custom amp?

I also REALLY would like to buy a cabinet for it, upholstered and all. I have the dimensions ready. Can anyone help?

For everyone who found my many schematics online and wants to build their own, here are some links to my other posts for photos.


http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/tubes-valves/122845-i-have-finished-my-standell-25l15-clone-6.html

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/tubes-valves/122845-i-have-finished-my-standell-25l15-clone-7.html

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/amp-central-station/174119-echosonic-information.html


HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!
Frank

Hey everyone!

Well I've complete the restoration of my prized 1961 Rickenbacker Ek-O-Sound Model M-30. It is all original except the leather handle, and works great. It even has the orignal foot pedal, tape board, and cover, and everything works great. Total restore time: 2 months, 2 days.

http://www.rickresource.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=383111&start=15


Enjoy!!!

Frank Roy
Canada

Finally,

After 2 years of searching, here it is for everyone: The Standel Schematic for the 25L15 amplifier.

This particular one does come from an unnamed source that is supposedly coming out with a kit, but will cost over $4,500. If that's not a ripoff I don't know that is.....

Please don't misunderstand me; I'm not saying that a true Bob Crooks Standel isn't worth the asking prices. I'm saying that a copy of this man's work, The Finest Guitar Amplifer Ever Made, is not worth 5 grand.

Here is it in raw format where the entire human race can benefit from Mr. Crooks efforts and superior intelligence. I think he would prefer to see us all enjoy his work than only the few that have thousands of dollars floating around for ~500 bucks worth of parts in a wooden cabinet.

All the best, take care,
Frank Roy

You're right 3-4x too much dough.There's no mystery involved it's a very clean amp(JBL,ALTEC"ish)not hard to build with "quality parts".The 3-T's is where you gotta have deep pockets in any amp.Transformers(maybe $200.00+ apiece)Transducers(speakers at least $200.00 ea. depending on size)and Tubes(at least $200 to $300 but price on tubes(NOS or new) is mostly opinionated.The rest of parts is nickel dime stuff(chassis,cabinet,caps resistors.tube sockets,wire etc.($400.00+).The kicker though to a lot of these kits is you don't always get the best parts but if the Three T's are quality then it's a good kit and worth $1200 or so not $4500."Labor" is why Fender and Marshall amps are so high dollar,not parts(they're not the best),so there's no kit worth that much money. The Best, "TROLL"

More.....!!

Belongs in a museum.If the speaker has the original paper cone it will probably disintegrate if touched too much(I have 2 '59 P10R's that are like this)or played loudly.I would not play the amp with that spkr in it(54 yrs old)unless,it's been reconed and then it's not original.Also a lot of caps have been replaced(normal)are original parts available with amp?THIS AMP IS HISTORY AND BELONGS IN A MUSEUM! God Bless, "TROLL"

I think Bonedaddy owns one.

Ha all,

Thanks for posting the schematic, Guitarsmith. It's a very interesting circuit- the tone controls are active, and placed in the feedback loop of the 2nd and 3rd stages. They are also set up only to boost, and not cut the bass and treble (the max is about 12dB for each).

Also, although the circuit looks superficially like a Williamson design, there is no overall negative feedback, which I recall was one of the main features of the Williamson design.

I did, however, notice one small error- the two resistors that connect between the balance pot and the grids of the power tubes are labeled as 100 OHM 1 W, But they actually need to be quite a bit higher in value than that, or most of the signal will be shunted to ground. The original Williamson used 100K resistors in that position.

Andy
Without negative feedback the amp would be kind of raw sounding(presence control cranked and Marshally).Negative feedback "sweetens" up the tone(less unnoticed distortion). "TROLL"