Small Builders
I'm trying to build an organized repository of pics & history on these local amp builders. If you would like to submit pictures or history regarding any of any of these companies, please do so. You can email me at jayemac@fenderbronco.com. Enjoy!
Verlage Amplifiers - Made in Regina by Ken Verlage
Verlage Model 65 - Early model, it has a Buzz (Fuzz) cirucit built in - This one built in Humboldt Saskatchewan
This is a 66/67 Verlage 1x18 inch Bass Cabinet. This was made by Ken Verlage in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. It has a Goodmans Audiom 91 18 inch thumper that looks brand new.
During his decade or so of manufacturing quality gear, he made approximately 200 or so amplifiers (as currently known) and an unknown number of cabinets. I cannot imagine that there are many 1x18 inch cabs from the 60's available anywhere. Picked this up in Medicine Hat.
This VTR-100 is killer. You can nail Lynyrd Skynyrd sound with it.
VTR-100 - These sound great!
If you plan on playing this puppy at home foget it! You will have the riot squad at your door. It needs lots of room so that you can open it up and let it breathe.
1973 VTR-100 (Super Powerful)
1973 Verlage VTR 100. Originaly built in Humboldt Sask.. Ken Verlage moved his operation to Regina Sask. and produced these amps for a few years and in the mid 70's ceased operation. As was the case with many Guitar amps in those days they were based on PA Amp platforms. The VTR was a Fannon PA modded heavily and repackaged. Dont scoff !! These amps had plenty of raw power and the VTR 100 has a cool "Mello" circuit that is totaly unique. This brand is a trubute to the inginuity of early amp designs. Ken is now in the Edmonton Alberta area I have been told. Plenty of old rockers are familiar with the Verlage badge and some are still being used. (Please see the Canadian Amps page at top for more Verlage items.)
73 VTR-100
72 VTR-100
This amp came to me from North Eastern Alabama and supposedly has its early roots with The Lynyrd Skynyrd Band. it should have a health warning on it as when opened up it may cause serious damage to man or beast. (or the structural integrity of you house). These rare Amps can really put out. They are a credit to the Amp designers and players of days gone by. Made in Regina Saskatchewan in the late 60's and early 70's. Ken Verlage is the man to thank for this creation.
73 VTR-100 with 2x12
Club 50 1x15 Sweet!
Stuart and his band in 1966. Check out the VTR-100 head adn 2x12 cab.
73 VTR-100
Big Verlage Speaker Bin
Verlage Club 50
PEPCO - Pine Electronic Products CO Ltd - Pine, Riviera, Paul
Rebranded: Arc, Cobra, Supreme, Marlin, Regal, Lark, Trend, Ford, Rogue, Cord
Established in Montreal by Saul Pinchuk. They built their own amps and also for other customers.
CSA # LR19952 identifies Pine made equipment.
Pine Paul - Sweet little amp
Pine Paul Controls
Ancient Amp - Likely a Paul made by PEPCO - Thanks Dave
Arc 801 made by PEPCO
8" Speaker CSA #LR19952
PEPCO 10240 Armand Lavergne, Montreal - Google
This was their early 70's location.
Pine Electronics ad in a 1972 high school yearbook - Joel B found this
Paul amp by PEPCO
(Pine Montreal Canada)
801 Chassis
Marlin by Pine 1x8
Tube compliment 12AX7A, 50C5, 35WA. CSA LR 19952 ID's Pine and it is an 801 Chassis. Not a bad home practice Amp or Harp Amp at all.
Pic. Rick Barnes.
Click link above for Pine history.
1961 PEPCO Pine Mode 811
Click on the picture to see its Reverb listing
I believe a Pine user manual - Joel B
Above: Marlin Amplifer (725 Pepco) - Thx Joel B
Below: Marlin CSA
Pine 7 watt - 60's
Click on amp for sellers Reverb page.
Very clean amp and Ill bet it sounds good!
Pine Rogue 725 (Pepco)
Above..Pine Electronics, Rogue Guitar Amplifier. Chassis model 725. Same as the one above with a different logo. CSA 19952. Nice amp with warn sweet tone to melt the blues away. Hand built and point to point hand wired.
Pine Rogue 725 (Pepco)
Made in Canada in the 70's. Pine seemed to make amps for anyone. This one has 2-6v6's and 2-12ax7's. + GZ34 Mullard tube rectified! This is a nice playing piece. Good warm tone and not bad overall power.
Nice demo of the 725
Wish I could get NOS Rogue for this price
7 watt Pine Lark - 1960's
Click on above picture for sellers Reverb page
Description of the amp: "It sounds primal. Very mono bluesy that gets hairy past 2 o'clock and well into garage trash territory. Think early Kinks or Sonics. This is a proper rock'n'roll amp that sounds killer with a harmonica once the tubes get cookin'"
Patina to the control panel
Super nice looking amp!
Regal Amplifiers
Regal #500 CSA LR11639 - Thanks Dan
Regal by Lifco & Gemstone Jazz Master - Thanks Colin
Capri Amplifers
Capri (Garnet) D45R
Badge
Wort Amplifiers - Wally romanyshyn's Contribution to SS Canadian Amps
Wort SL-80 2x10 (90w into 8 ohms, 260 in to 2 ohms) - Made in Winnipeg
WORT LT100
Above, 1970's WORT GS12 Bass Combo.
This Amp was made in Winnipeg Manitoba.
WORT Amps for the most part are all Solid State design. Not a bad thing when it lightens the load to carry. This amp is quite versatile and was a prototype that escaped somehow. Walter Romanyshyn was the man behind the WORT line. There are a few out there yet and I know of a couple of bigger ones still in use regularily 30 years later!
Here's a YouTube demo of a Wort Dynamo. Great sounding amp!
Pan Amplifers
Pan Booster
The circuit is basically a Dallas Rangemaster with a Mullard OC-44.
Garnat Pan Duo-Matic - sweet little head
It has a fuzz circuit built in
Russel Amplifiers
Garnet Russel 5p from 1969
12au7 50c5 and 35w4
Piper Amplifiers
Piper 4x10
Lancer Amplifiers - Eatons Garnet Stencil Amplifier
Garnet Lancer (Lil Rock) 1x12 - Thanks Kent Militzer
Ram Amplifiers
Ram (Garnet) 1x12 - Vary Rare
Ram (Garnet) Bass/Guitar 1x10
Lifco Amplifiers
Lifco 1000 Tube (2x7027, 3 12ax7)
Below is an old address for Lifco
If you click the address, you will be taken to a website. A fella put together a fairly comprehensive history of Lifco amps. Enjoy the info he has.
Above: some nice Lifco history and greats sounds in this video.
Below: Great Lifco Cobra demo, rock on!
Regal Tube Amp
Regal Tube Amp - #500 Chassis
The Cobra M ark 2 - Lifco 800 Amp - Thx Joel B
Grant Amplifiers
All Tube Grant Thorcraft "Cobra" , 1966 Vintage. All you really need.
Pic. Compliments Rick Anderson
Grant Avanti G30T - Mid 60's?
made by Thorcraft Ind. of Vancouver BC Canada. This puppy has a 6x9 HD Guitar/Harp speaker and tube power. Tubes silkscreened "Thorcraft".
Grant DJ Setup
Grant Mustang G40T
This is a sweet little amplifier . It features all tube power and a 1x12 Alnico speaker. Made by Thorcraft Ind. of Vancouver. Hank Thorkelsson is the man behind these great little amps. Hank had a good share in early Canadian Radio manufacturing. He knew his stuff and is a true giant in the growth of early Radio with his contributions.
Symphonic Amplifiers
Symphonic Guitar Amplifier, made in Montreal Quebec Canada. All tube power and tube rectified. Jensen Alnico Speaker. Baby tone monster.
Symphonic Amp. with EEL Chassis made in Montreal Canada.
Feb 1961 Symphonic Schematic
Electronic Enterprises Ltd - Makers of Symphonic
Cool Symphonic amp in a catalog!
Assorted
Aztech Engineering - Aerco 350 Tube amp (2 x 6V6)
Aerco 350 - Thanks Tim Smith for these rare pictures
Electronic Enterprise LTD
2x7025, 1 6AV6, 2 6V6GT, 1 5u4(?)
Rare Baffin 1 - AF18 2 8" Alnico speakers - CSA #20269
Made by Northland Musical Inst. Amps - Thanks Ruth
Darius 1001 AHED Amp - Thanks Greg
Tagus B8000 - Thanks T&M Wilson
Tagus TB8000 Made in Toronto
Thanks Sherwin
Darius 2002 - Brentwood BR01 - Aquarius Bass
Taurus Bass Amp - Made in Toronto
Tagus Formula II
AHED Aquarius 1002 SS Combo - Thanks Bern!
Tagus Pro Bass 1x15 - Made in Toronto
Thanks Doug
Sears SS & 2x12 AHED
CSA LR29603
Sears AHED
Thanks Don Hoffman
Imperial Head and Cab - Thanks John
Symphonic - EEL Chassis - Montreal
Symphonic - Montreal
Imperia made by Garnet CSA LR24510
Thanks Dan
Keil 22 - Thanks Devin Fox
Sears D45R
70's United D15TR made by Garnet.
It is a single 12" combo powered by a single 6V6 tube. This amp has great volume, not to be underestimated. One of the nicest single tubed amps I have had. It has Reverb, Tremelo and a single Tone Pot. It is in great condition and sounds fabulous. When the volume is turned up she has this really nice distortion, not flappy at all. It measures 30"x20"x10" and weighs approx 40 lbs
Vagabond 1x12
Made for sale by Eatons stores this was a pretty good piece in its day. 2-12ax7's and one 6v6.
Marlin - Thanks Dave Missnet
Unted (Garnet) D100BT
By Garnet Amplifiers of Winnipeg Manitoba. The United name came from the fact that Gar made this line for the United Shcool district in Winnipeg. These are the best sleeper amps out there , afterall who ever heard of a United Amp? If you see one, try it out. You will be pleasantly surprised!
It is a Garnet through and through, all tube powered!