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I still haul around an old Polytone MiniBrute II to all my gigs. Because the amp is so old I keep another one just like it in the trunk of the car as a back up.
Occasionally, I look over at the amp on stage and tell it, "be on your best behavior; your replacement is just outside in the lot."
To date, no problems.
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10-10-2019 11:48 AM
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Thanks Greentone--I'll try that later. BTW, enjoyed the piece about you in the Sun last year. Great story.Thanks,Tony D.
Originally Posted by Greentone
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I totally agree Joe. When the amp first started to make noise, I couldn't believe it and couldn't conceive of using another amp except my not so portable Twin. I bought the Polytone at a local music store (now long gone) after playing my ES345 with PAFs through it. I never heard of the name and new nothing about the amp except that it was compact and sounded very smooth. 40 years is indeed a good run for any electronic device. I'm about 30 miles east of Manhattan so I should have no problem finding someone to fix it.Tony D. Originally Posted by Max405
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Replacing the reverb unit is easy. Just do it. But rather than replacing the foam, installing a metal grill like the later Polytones have is a better idea. Originally Posted by Max405
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That's an interesting point. I would guess that tube amps (instrument and stereo) are easier to maintain and rehab because their components are large, identifiable and easier to get to. And in many cases made to be replaced on a rather frequent basis. Originally Posted by pilotony
Circuit boards and the micro components of transistor amps seem to me very difficult to work on. (From what I've heard--I have very little experience working with electronics.)
I've had a couple of SS amps that are 20+ years old. My current audio setup components are 30 years old--my Nakamichi amp still works, except that the electronic tuner doesn't tune. But 40 years seems to me pushing it.
Just as an aside I read an article that Apple touts their earbuds ($150) as being serviceable when the battery goes (apparently lasts 12-18 months), but that isn't true. They just throw away the old ones and give you a discount on a new pair.
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My Polytone Mini Brute I squealed too.
The power supply was the culprit.
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I suspected as much. Flaky capacitor(s)?
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Thanks for all the great suggestions. I intend to have the Polytone repaired. Meanwhile, its "replacement" Deluxe Reverb Re-issue has been knocking me out with its 50s crunchy tone.
Thanks again.
Tony D.
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I loves my DRRI! Originally Posted by pilotony
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hey tony, your princeton morphed into a deluxe??? it'll be back to a twin soon!
haha
cheers
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After over 30 years of playing Polytones, I came new to Fenders with a Princeton Reverb Re-Issue special edition from Sweetwater. Wow. I think I'm a convert to the Fender sound! Originally Posted by pilotony
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My 1978 102D died a few years ago. The repair guy actually emailed me pictures of the circuit board with a hole where something blew up. It was definitely unrepairable. I've been looking for a replacement archtop amp for a few years and the only one (from demos online) I considered was a Mambo.
However, wanting something more versatile, I am waiting for the delivery (any day now) of the Brute EQ pedal from jassmus to use in conjunction with a Boss Katana MKII. [Edit: Decided on a DV Mark Micro 50 CMT instead because it sounds warmer than the Katana.]
I wouldn't search for another Polytone. The caps and other components are old...waiting to fail.
I'd find something newer.Last edited by HCarlH; 11-05-2019 at 05:45 PM.
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Originally Posted by Greentone
nice!
I would ask you, why the preamp out (or main out in the earlier version), is so noisy? (mbII1980)
I can’t plug the cable on the mixer, too hum, ground noises.. zzzz zzzzz zzzzzzz my god!
Do you think latest model has a better sound output?
how to improve the output quality?
cheers
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Oops! Sorry about that. The Princeton Reverb Re-Issue is working as advertised--it's light and really gets out ahead of the brass instruments. Thanks for all the comments. Originally Posted by neatomic
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Sorry for the late response. I tried the preamp out on my 1980 (felt covered) Mini Brute II recently, at the request of my keyboard player (who runs the PA).
We didn't notice unusual noise. Your mileage obviously varies. The output, as is shown below, is called "Main Out." My manual, however, indicates that this is the preamp output.
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Originally Posted by archtopdream63
Likely a grounding issue. I have used the direct out with good results.
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Yes, it is the preamp out - coax/output cable fra main pre to power amp also connects to the “main out” Jack on its path to the power amp.If the amp plays fine otherwise, its likely just a poor/bad/broken connection at the main out Jack.But... besides that, theres a handfull of issues that be troublesome when you a audio signal into/between several units each connected to mains (120-230v). But make sure first that you (archtopdream) have a solid connection, signal and a Ground, on the “main out” input jack.Pilotony, sry for the off topic detour. Originally Posted by Greentone
Sorry for the late response. I tried the preamp out on my 1980 (felt covered) Mini Brute II recently, at the request of my keyboard player (who runs the PA).We didn't notice unusual noise. Your mileage obviously varies. The output, as is shown below, is called "Main Out." My manual, however, indicates that this is the preamp output.
Last edited by jazzmus; 11-05-2019 at 12:45 PM.
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kind of grounding noises...
i will check if the out is connected to ground.
Anyway, it’s a vintage output and I know I can’t ask for more.
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Found almost exact matches on eBay for the overdrive knobs. Both replaced in this picture. T18 6mm splined
19mm Control Knob T18 Splined, 6.0mm or 6.35mm D-Shaft, Movable Pointer K21 | eBay
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There's a polytone for sale locally. It's a 15 inch speaker with extension. Seems a little expensive because of the extra cab. Kinda curious what model and year this is? Its $550
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Thought the ones with foam speaker grills were diamond tolex. Originally Posted by callouscallus
There's a polytone for sale locally. It's a 15 inch speaker with extension. Seems a little expensive because of the extra cab. Kinda curious what model and year this is? Its $550
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I'm really enjoying a 1980 Brute II 12" with reverb, a black velvet model. I bought it used locally about a year and a half ago. Cosmetically it was in really good shape, and sounded great, but there was some internal noise, especially with the reverb, and something had come loose and was rattling around. Recently I had a local amp tech open it up, and fix a few things. It needed a lot of little fixes--even the screws were all loose because the wood compresses over time. He also replaced the reverb unit, and made sure all the wiring was good. It was a $350 job (more than I paid for the amp), but it will be good to go for a long time, and I'm lucky to have a local tech who knows his way around a Polytone. (most refuse to work on them here). Just the other day I was playing a small informal duo gig (me and a tenor sax), and I was really enjoying the rich full tone of the Brute. I play 7 string, and it gives a ton of bass without sounding muddy, and it takes the edge off the higher notes in a really nice way. I have a DV Mark LJ, and a first generation Henriksen 10, as well as a little Toob setup (so portable!), but I prefer the Polytone. The amp tech is Rance electronics in Berkeley, CA.
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Thanks for the mention of the amp Tech. Here is a link to their website: Originally Posted by Johnpiazza
HOME | ranceelectronics
Years ago, I had a Polytone Mini-Brute 2 fail on me during a gig. Tommy Gumina was still alive at that time and I knew him through John Pisano. I called Tommy and he told me that he was no longer fixing his own amps and he referred me to a company in San Mateo. It cost me about $250 in labor to replace a $15 part. Yikes! I started looking for alternatives to Polytone then. I did not love my first generation Henriksen, I did like the AI/Raezer's Edge setup and used that for many years. The new Class D Henriksens do scratch my Polytone itch, so that is where I am at. I suspect if either of my Henriksens give me any trouble, it might be more cost effective to take it to your tech in Berserkeley than to ship it to Colorado to the maker. I will keep Rance in mind.
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My MBIII and Teeny Brute are all I wish for. I'm not bothered about looking at more modern amps. If they both bit the dust I don't know which direction I'd go in. Originally Posted by Johnpiazza
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Rance has been fixing Polytones for decades, though not sure if he ships.
It's like owning old cars, or anything "vintage". If you don't have a good mechanic, and don't have the time or desire to tinker with it, you're just left with a "project" that kinda works. Because I absolutely love the sound and feel of it, I'll use the polytone as long as someone nearby can service it. My old Henriksen sounds pretty good, but might become a project given its age. A new henriksen 6" with an extension cab is probably the best modern answer for the Polytone (but $$$, and I haven't played one). Honestly, my DV little jazz does 90% of what I want from an amp, and it cost me $199 used. I keep it at work. DV did a great job of emulating the Polytone feel (if not exactly the sound) in a simple, light, and inexpensive box. We sold my mom's 1970 Pontiac, and now I drive a Camry. The Little Jazz is the Toyota Camry of jazz boxes. Even if you like tinkering with Polytones and Henriksens, you won't regret picking up a used one.
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