Guitar Amps built into case?

[Rob MacKillop]

There’s the Silvertone, of course:

And I remember some lap-steel guitars with amps in their cases.

Time for a revival, I think! But seriously, does anyone here have one? Anyone given them a try in a store? You could get a decent-sized speaker in the case, plus an amp and effects - the whole thing. Great for buskers and for playing with a couple of friends. With modern technology, it could be interesting.

On the other hand, how heavy would the case be, I wonder.

[stevo58]

The thing is, that Silvertone amp-in-a-case doesn’t have a power transformer. So there’s no isolation between the player and the grid supply. The plug is also two pronged and you can plug it in either way- and you have no way of knowing if you’ve just made a connection between the 120v supply and your guitar strings until it’s too late. If you are going to use that amp, you should invest in an isolation transformer and you should always use it. The old five-tube radios were like that, too. The architecture has been illegal for quite some time now, and for good reason.

But then, no risk, no fun, I’ve heard.

steven

[Rob MacKillop]

Sounds dangerous. A rechargeable battery would be better.

[starjasmine]

I remember a high-school friend of mine having one of these. There are a number of similar ones on ebay, reverb, sweetwater, etc. at prices ranging from $339 to (!) $1795. The price of nostalgia...

[DawgBone]

There’s the Silvertone, of course:

And I remember some lap-steel guitars with amps in their cases.

Time for a revival, I think! But seriously, does anyone here have one? Anyone given them a try in a store? You could get a decent-sized speaker in the case, plus an amp and effects - the whole thing. Great for buskers and for playing with a couple of friends. With modern technology, it could be interesting.

On the other hand, how heavy would the case be, I wonder.

I could see it as a revival where it's made a subscription service where the case does not even unlock unless you've paid your monthly fee to the manufacturer...."your rate plan didn't renew on time, please contact PlayFender.com to update your plan".

[Rob MacKillop]

That’s another thing.

[Bob_Ross]

The thing is, that Silvertone amp-in-a-case doesn’t have a power transformer. So there’s no isolation between the player and the grid supply. The plug is also two pronged and you can plug it in either way- and you have no way of knowing if you’ve just made a connection between the 120v supply and your guitar strings until it’s too late. If you are going to use that amp, you should invest in an isolation transformer and you should always use it. The old five-tube radios were like that, too. The architecture has been illegal for quite some time now, and for good reason.

Wow... my college roommate had one of those (the complete set with the guitar) and we used to play it all the time, at home and in the recording studio. No one ever got hurt, or even noticed a funny tingling sensation.

otoh, everyone noticed how awful it sounded.

[Rob MacKillop]

Lol! The Silverstone sounds awful too, but I’m sure they could be manufactured to a higher standard, have WiFi control for backing tracks, effects, and more.

But I’m just musing on the possibilities. I can’t see it ever happening.