:confused: Hey Gretschies!
I just found your site, as I was researching an amp I just came across. I figured many would know what I have.....
The serial plate on back is T77377. Enough of the wording and such on the control panel is worn off and I'm sure it listed a model there or not. Has the wraparound grille (tweed). Really in super shape. Tube driven, couple of Jensen ovals and a tweeter.
A date and value would be cool if you have along with the model number. Thanks in advance!
John @ wax
http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/wa/waxxtatic/.thumbs/gretsch001.jpg

Hey wax, click post reply, scroll down to manage attachment. click a small screen will open, click on browes, find your picture, upload it. When it is uploaded,close window. Then click submit......That way we can see what were looking at.

Okay, thought I had attached one, but here's a try at a few.....

Is that a 6159? Not sure about the model but this is one of the Valco-built gretsch amps. Valvo built all of their Amps through the 1960's and they can sound really good. Not like anything else (except maybe a Kalamazoo or the like) but a good amp nonetheless. Can't see in the photos, is there any onboard reverb or tremelo? This will tell me more. Cool amp though nonetheless. How's yours sound?

Nice amp, great shape. I bet it sounds great!

It has the onboard tremolo, with available hand or foot switch. There is a footswitch/pedal with the amp.

I thought Valco made had a hand in it. Has three 12ax7's, 2-6973's, and 5Y3-GT.

I have yet to plug it in, as I wanted to get my tech (oh boy, tech!) to look it over. He's actually a great old school electrical repair dude, and he's done some wonderful work for me. This amp has been sitting around for a looooong time.

If it's been sitting for awhile getting someone to look first before firing up is the best idea you'll have today. Firing up a long dormant amp without checking could possibly make things a lot worse, depending on what kind of deterioration has occurred.
Watching this with great curiousity!

How many watts? I hear the 6152 was the only 5 watt model with Trem/Verb. So ... you might have an anwer. But you also might not. From the web (of course):

"One Gretsch model worth mentioning is the 6152; as far as I know, it's the only 5W amp from the '60s with onboard trem and reverb. I used to have one, and it sounded amazing considering it was a student-level model. In keeping with its price point in 1964, the reverb tank was made of cardboard! The tremolo was superb. "

If it's been sitting for awhile getting someone to look first before firing up is the best idea you'll have today. Firing up a long dormant amp without checking could possibly make things a lot worse, depending on what kind of deterioration has occurred.
Watching this with great curiousity!
Yes, the tech will throw it on a variac and warm it slooooowwwww. Kind of how I work these days.

How many watts? I hear the 6152 was the only 5 watt model with Trem/Verb. So ... you might have an anwer. But you also might not. From the web (of course):

"One Gretsch model worth mentioning is the 6152; as far as I know, it's the only 5W amp from the '60s with onboard trem and reverb. I used to have one, and it sounded amazing considering it was a student-level model. In keeping with its price point in 1964, the reverb tank was made of cardboard! The tremolo was superb. "
Not sure on the wattage. Is there something chassis wise that I can check to narrow a model, wattage, etc. down? I don't find any kind of paper schematic, model stapled/glued inside

Oh, and it certainly is made of wood. It still is a heavy sumbeetch. Measures approx 23 by 16 by 8 inches.

This little tidbit ought to make you feel better about things as well - careful when you fire her up - from the web (again, of course):

"The most chased after models are ones that use the 6973 power tubes, these are what we associate with the VALCO tone."

So ... looks like you got a good one.

This little tidbit ought to make you feel better about things as well - careful when you fire her up - from the web (again, of course):

"The most chased after models are ones that use the 6973 power tubes, these are what we associate with the VALCO tone."

So ... looks like you got a good one.

:) I've been all over the place trying to match it up with a model, etc. From the Gretschpages.com, could it be a 6162 dual twin reverb? And according to their date codes, mine would be '62?

I'm flying on a used C string here.....:D

Very possibly a 6162.

And 2 6973s will probably put out 20 to 25 watts...definitely not a 5 watter.

That's what I was thinking. No way, given the tube configuration, it's less than 15 watts.

That's what I was thinking. No way, given the tube configuration, it's less than 15 watts.

I took it to my 'techie' this afternoon. Going to get it recapped, etc. and get 'er cleaned up. Keep it all original except for those caps and filters. I want to let that tone 'monster' loose.....

I think the 6162 may be as close as I've come to an idea of what it may be. Appreciate the forum, and your feedback/input. This rocks!:cool:

Anytime. Be sure to let us know. Does it have two 10" or 12" speakers in it?

Anytime. Be sure to let us know. Does it have two 10" or 12" speakers in it?

I believe these are 10 inch ovals, with a 5 inch tweeter (maybe 4 inch). Has a cool, chrome plated chassis.

I've been looking for similar photo's in any forums, but have yet to find any. Gretschpages.com seems to not load the pics it makes reference too. :(

all they have on ebay for pictures is the playboy amp.

Maybe you already checked this out...but if not

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.20wattworld.com/images/6162PowerGuts.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.20wattworld.com/Gretsch.htm&usg=__OJTDBr_ZjzkO2YC0BZrX-VHzmN4=&h=600&w=800&sz=58&hl=en&start=5&um=1&tbnid=dyAf8SycRrsD9M:&tbnh=107&tbnw=143&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dgretsch%2B6162%2Bamp%26hl%3Den%26clie nt%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1

Good Luck

I'm baaaack.....
Tech called me this afternoon to see if there is some access to a schematic for this amp, or something 'close'. :-)

He has it all recapped/filtered, but says the amplification is still 'weak'. He is looking at a couple of possibilities, but loses me when he goes all 'tech'.

Again, any help would be cool.

Hmm...according to the 6162 schematic, it should have 5 12ax7s and two 10" drivers sans the 4/5" tweeter.

You might dig around here for a schematic that matches:

http://schematicheaven.com/bargainbin.htm

GORGEOUS Amp waxxtatic! no idea what it is, but I'd love to own one :eek: :D