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Can anyo
ne tell me more about this amp? I believe they were made in the late 70's to early 80's (?) but I can't find much information on them. It looks like it's basically 2 mini brutes in 1, but I don't know if that's an accurate description or is there more to them than that. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Last edited by jakeyboy1216; 09-13-2014 at 10:24 AM. Reason: More pics - (the one with the grill removed is upside down)
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09-12-2014 10:49 AM
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The amp certainly looks similar to a Polytone Model 104 (sometimes refered to as the "George Benson" model, since he endorsed an earlier version of the amp), but with a few tweeters thrown in for good measure.
I have had a couple of these over the years, and this model is like two Mini-Brutes in one in some ways, but the amp has significant additional functionality beyond that.
In addition to the harmonic/octave divider, the amp has a bi-amp feature that allows it to operate in stereo or mono. Sort of - with one power supply and two preamps, if I remember correctly. I think it has 180 watts RMS in a package that is @ the size of a Twin Reverb but significantly lighter.Last edited by Hammertone; 06-20-2016 at 12:50 PM.
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Thanks Hammertone. I'll post better pictures, but the model is definitely a Studio 212, not a 104.
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Maybe the Studio 212 was just the next, slightly smaller version of the 104?
That control panel sure looks the same.
Please post a close-up of the badge on the back.
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i have one under my tv
developed a hum the amp tech couldnt/didnt want to fix...someday
mine was used by Tal when he came to town in '95.
he signed it but it has faded a lot
has some funny effects
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I remember Norman Brown when he was gigging a lot in L.A in process of getting his record contract seeing him a lot. He had a number of the large model Polytones like that. They sounded good and he covered pretty good sized rooms with them.
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The 212 was a good amp. Bi-amp able. Otherwise, it is two MiniBrute II amps. Yours is the perfect vintage, in terms of good sound. Worth 3-400 but sounds like more.
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I had a Polytone Mini S-15, which looked identical except mine had a single 15" speaker. It was very loud and clean. It sounded great, basically the same sound as my other Polytones. The unusual effects worked fine but weren't much use to me. Overall, those larger Polytones are great jazz amps, as long as the size and extra weight doesn't bother you.
Keith
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Sorry to open this up for such a trivial question but I'm intrigued by the guitar Benson is holding in the poster. Is that a tapped over logo? A lawsuit gibson copy? A non-branded Gibson?
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It's a Gibson Johnny Smith and it's probably taped over because Polytone didn't want another company's logo to be so prominent in their ad.
Originally Posted by s1track3d
Danny W.
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Hi Danny, thanks for the quick reply. I found a similiar time period video but it's hard to get a good look at the logo. Funny you would think name association of that magnatude would be welcome. Originally Posted by Danny W.
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Not if you are selling a competitive product: Originally Posted by s1track3d
Info on Polytone Guitars?
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Woah, I didn't know they made guitars... Haha, Thanks! Originally Posted by Hammertone
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Hammertone,
You would just know that I have _always_ coveted a Polytone guitar--and that you _would_ have two. Wow! Polytone guitars were made in Japan during the "great" period--70s-80s. Fuji-Gen or Matsumoku, I believe. Back in the day, when he played in Benson's band, Phil Upchurch sported a Polytone guitar and amp. I saw him so equipped during the Breezin' period. He sounded great, as Phil Upchurch should.
If those are your guitars, you are a lucky dog.
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They are indeed very nice guitars.
You are welcome to them if you want them - I was about to put them up for sale or trade as a pair.
Both 100% stock, with cases.
I also have a Polytone Contempo bass.Last edited by Hammertone; 09-29-2014 at 09:51 AM.
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@Hammertone, how about a polytone amp?
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Yeah, I have a few of those, too. Sigh.
Last edited by Hammertone; 09-30-2014 at 09:56 AM.
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Heh, I didn't know Polytone guitars existed either. Those look great, love the P inlays.
Last edited by Dave70; 09-30-2014 at 02:30 PM.
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The bad news is you don't have a good amp repairman but the good news is, whoever was calling himself an 'amp tech' yet couldn't repair a hum is not someone you want working on your stuff. Originally Posted by tucson matt
Some of these clowns exploit the rather huge knowledge gap that seems to exist on electronics and how often trivial contact cleaning is all that's required, *maybe* replacing an obviously blown cap but can't diagnose anything, bias, etc. I know of at least one Guitar Center who takes in amp repairs to be worked on by a 'tech' who doesn't know how to use a multimeter.
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anyone know how well the owner is?
I hear he is an aging, if not passed away, accordion player...
it would be great if his kid, if he has one, could relaunch the brand with a better product...
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Holy cow! Originally Posted by Music
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Umm. Probably the last thing my wife wants to see is 2 more guitars, but out of curiosity, how much? If the price was right, I might be interested in dropping by and taking a peek. Originally Posted by Hammertone
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3K for the pair.
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I think my wife would definitely get upset without a serious consultation first. Since she's many thousands of miles away for another month, I better not make any decisions on my own.
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