Polytone Mini Brute I - IV. What are the Differences?

[Franz 1997]

Probably mini-brute II, 1978-83 circuit.Missing foam front grille & 2 colour logo.

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

I bought that amp in 1980. Its front looked like a grade school craft project with velvet and foam:

[fauves]

I have the same amp with the 15" speaker. someone had removed most of the velvet.

[Chordchunker]

I absolutely love it! Why didn`t I get one in the 70`s-80`s is beyond me..But hey now I have one!

[Hammertone]

1980 is my guess as well.

I had a 1980 MB IV in that velvet, that I bought new, long gone. I got a new Baby Brute in 1984, with the updated "diamond boltaflex" covering, which is still going strong. I picked up a @1980 102 a couple of years ago that has that black velveteen covering as well, and it's going strong. My 104 is a bit earlier - the black is less fuzzy and more cloth-like. It's resting comfortably, waiting for repair.

Ahhh, Polytone....good times....

[Franz 1997]

Yeah, I agree...I have the diamond baby-brute too, and I feel that it's one of the best sounding amps ever. That is, until you accidentally turn the red knob, when it becomes one of the worst sounding ever.

You can still get most of the parts for these amps, but not the output driver chip.

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

Is your reverb still working? That's often what goes.

[Chordchunker]

Yes. The reverb works fine.