This Tweed Amp DESTROYS a Fender Tremolux! - National Valco Tremo-Tone 1224

In this video we'll take an inside look at a real Fender Tremolux KILLER - a 1956 Valco-made National Tweed "Tremo-Tone" Model 1224. First we will look at the outside, then we'll change out all the old paper-in-wax capacitors and inspect the guts, and finally we'll demo this thing, showing why I think Valco Tweed Amps from the 1950s are some of the purest-sounding amp circuits ever designed for guitar.
Message if interested in purchasing: bradlinzy at gmail
CRC Industrial Contact Cleaner: amzn.to/2sQcWiS

[@Johnny_Dregs]

@theguitologist this channel is quickly becoming one of my favs. I always learn something from your vids.

[@TheGuitologist]

Good to have you, John. Thanks.

[@briansmith2163]

I once had a 1960 National 1210. It also had the unusual sized oval speakers {2}. I used it for harmonica and it sounded AMAZING.

[@notrophyhuntersallowed4231]

one other thing the tele honks too love it

[@xklopan]

almost a cross between a fender and a Marshall to my bad ears :). sounds friggin awesome though!

[@TheGuitologist]

Yeah, the grittiness and character is what I love about them.

[@MrBrymstond]

It's not a mess, it's organized chaos...

[@jopestv1063]

A clean desk is the sign of a sick mind

[@Music10161]

I wanted to hear it with that Junior. a P90 would scream through that thing

[@MichaelLynMusic]

I missed the wattage of this amp?.......and you are right about the tone.......these can kill most of the/equal wattage, Fender amps of the period and the new Supro amps do NOT even sound remotely good or similar unfortunately.......Great stuff and thank you for posting...

[@TheGuitologist]

The new Supros are just wearing a Supro costume. It's like if I tried to dress up like Superman...I might look ok from 15 feet away, but I wouldn't be stopping any bullets with my teeth.

[@axepackermusic8636]

And the wattage was? Sorry I skipped around Also. But I did not hear it. Love your videos

[@TheGuitologist]

Two 6V6 is usually good for about 12W

[@axepackermusic8636]

Very cool thank you sir!! I thought it would have been a little hotter. Like 15 to 25 watt. Sweet Gem you have there!!

[@TheGuitologist]

Wattage can be measured by RMS or Peak watts. 12 watts RMS is a pretty LOUD little tube amp, especially through a really efficient speaker. Modern tube amp makers tend to overrate their amps or use Peak watts, which is about 30% higher.

[@matthewf1979]

Great amp! It's rare to see them this immaculate. It's definitely got the right tone but I don't know about it being a Tremolux slayer. If anything they're both equally awesome. For the money, the Valco amps are an absolute steal and people should buy them if they have a chance. Great video and the sound is almost perfect!

[@semilivesixstringstrumist5595]

A guy that can play as well as you and fix amps? You are a roadies dream. Or a Pro's dream roadie! Lol.

[@TheGuitologist]

I KNOW! Now which famous guitarist wants to take me round the world? Let's go.

[@jpalberthoward9]

what an outstanding amp! The trem is beyond cool. I have a '55 Tremolux that I've had since '91, and I always thought I had the coolest amp around, but this defies words. I'd love to be in the same to with it and hear it in person. Very nicely done!

[@TheGuitologist]

Thanks. That would be a fun head to head. Honestly, they both probably sound fantastic. I'd just always felt the Valcos didn't get the recognition they deserved from serious collectors. but eh, more for me. :P

[@woodwork5574]

Only you would get hounded by a bee.LOL.Just another example of the authenticity if you and your channel. Great video.

[@TheGuitologist]

hahaha...Flying insects and I have a long, complicated history. :D

[@NoCantsAllowed]

Dude! That thing sounds killer...even on the camera mic!

[@cameronjenkins6748]

Interesting, the first thing that came to mind when I saw that pimply capacitor was smallpox.

[@bendari]

I agree!

[@jeffkellogg76]

I find your videos very informative and your knowledge of amps and mods to them ,like changing the caps and resistors in the Tranner to match early Marshalls, to be impressive. I am surprised that you use contact cleaner on pots and not a lubricanting cleaner like DeOxit as contact cleaner can remove the lube in the pots causing them to get scratchy.

[@TheGuitologist]

The lube is actually in the shafts of the pots, so as long as you don't over flood the pots, you're ok, at least in my experience. The part that gets dirty and causes the scratchiness is the carbon trace, and it's in the rear of the pot, away from the shaft lube.

[@oldasrocks9121]

Chicago 51 is the old switchboard telephone exchange from the beginning of telephony when you had to make calls through an operator. Those exchange numbers became the first 3 numbers of present phone numbers.

[@DrRussPhd]

BAH! . .My Line 6 POD 500 sounds better than this!!! . . .Just kidding . .sweet sounding amp, especially the tremelo.

[@TheGuitologist]

heheh...yeah man, those PODs are quite the National killers. :D Thanks for watching, Russ.

[@monadyne]

At around 24:30 hanging on the wall behind you is ---correct me if I'm mistaken but--- a Domino guitar! That white one! In 1967 a friend came back from a trip to London with an album by a black guy with a crazy hair-do named Jimi Hendrix. As soon as I heard it, I knew I had to play electric guitar. I went out to the crappy music store on the highway and bought the most affordable guitar they had, that white Domino with the peculiar shape. I've been playing ever since and am now surrounded by great guitars--- Strats, Les Pauls, Juniors, Dan Electros, even guitars by Wandre di Pioli. But that Domino started it all for me. What a trip, seeing it again. Thank you!!

[@TheGuitologist]

It'll be for sale at some point. I need to do a complete setup on it first.

[@HillsWorkbench]

Gotta watch the whole thing to get the treat at the end! No wonder this channel is growing like a weed! Good work!

[@TheGuitologist]

I know, right. Crazy. I don't think I'm really doing anything different either.

[@SnakeHouseExotics]

Wow, what a tone. Sounds great

[@tomcathughes2969]

What a great sounding amp! Thanks for doin’ your thing over there.

[@Chris66JTM45]

What a truly outstanding little combo from a time when US made amps (like those here in the UK) were so methodically hand built with such care and pride that we are still able to hear and appreciate them in action 60 years on. btw ... I think I've seen pics of a 1956 Valco made Gretsch Electromatic with tremolo that utilised the same two oval Rola's and same model knobs/switches. Thanks Brad for showing us this little gem.

[@TheGuitologist]

Yes, there was an equivalent Gretsch.

[@podrum7421]

Who left the dislike... (He obviously doesn't know anything about electronics...)

[@3rdaxis649]

Those capacitors look like pretzel logs lol.

[@greeneterror7989]

Very cool old amp!!!

[@starsighter13]

Just Love all your demo's and appreciate all the time and knowledge you put into them! What would you say is the difference between these 1224's of the 50's (6V6 tubes) and the early 60's models that used 6973 tubes ( I believe) . Cheers !

[@TheGuitologist]

I have a lot of demo videos of Valcos, including those with 6973s. 6V6 and 6973 were the two most often used power tubes of Valco. They have differences in the cranked tone - the latter sounding meaner with a bit more of a focused upper midrange, but they sound very similar when not cranked. That's due to the similar design on most of their input stages and in most of their tone networks. Whoever was doing their design had GOLDEN EARS. You can scroll down through this playlist and pick virtually ANY of these Valcos and hear wonderful tone with all sorts of different guitars: kzbin.info/www/bejne/javWlIZjl654nqM

[@jhs5150]

It's amazing how much grit that amp has, coming from the days when amp manufacturers prided themselves on how low the level of distortion their amps produced. Sounds great. Did you have the volume pegged?

[@fongy200]

Another great upload. I love it when Brad services the same amp I have. I use my Valco with my Resonator, the Piezo and condenser sound great , they compliment each other no other amp seems to accommodate the guitar like the Trem - Tone

[@JohnIainMcFarlanewaspfactor]

One of the best sounding amps I have ever had the pleasure of seeing and hearing man.I'm lovin that tele and enjoyin your chops too.Beautiful mate,thank you.

[@TheGuitologist]

Yeah, this one was a real gem.

[@timmyv694]

Love watching you’re videos. It must be very rewarding being able to bring these old amps back to life and getting to play through them:)

[@TheGuitologist]

Totally, Timmy. I live for this shit. Now I just need a sponsor to pay me to do it all day.

[@joesimon2018]

The speakers are holding it back. Unfortunately, the field coil design would make adding an external speaker jack a bit involved. I bet it would sound unGodly fed into a bright, efficient 12" like a Jenson C12N. Bring out the bottom end to the overdrive and less boxiness. If it were my amp I'd consider maybe wiring in a switchable Jack in a hidden spot that would disconnect the internal speaker and use an external. Other than that I wouldn't change a thing. Added bonus would be that it would save those hard to replace original speakers from the risk of blowing.

[@TheGuitologist]

They're not field coils. They're AlNiCo. It would be interesting to hear it with different speakers, and a jack and switch would be easy enough to do, but I wouldn't bother personally. If I wanted more bass, I'd just use a different guitar. :D

[@phydeauxddog]

The Guitologist you can always mike the amp.

[@Starcrunch72]

Wow Brad, looks like that one had been in the living room with a plastic bag completely covering it since 1957, just like the rest of the living room furniture...no dust or rust at all. Nice!

[@Anthony-jh5xc]

Now that is a commercial I watched all the way through and B&G guitars are now ingrained into my brain. Lol. I have 1962 fender tweed champ that I can plug into if I ever have enough money to buy one. Now onto the video.

[@ericohman]

I have a later National Tremotone 1224 with a redesign cab. Mine also have the RCP 10W labeled capacitors, though only one of them looks like a teenagers face so I'll start replacing only that one as far as coupling caps go. I will check all other coupling caps for dc leakage once powered up. The electrolytics are very beautiful ones, marked Mallory with the - and + STAMPED/PUNCHED in the metal ends where the legs comes out from cap (axial form factor). Filter caps will be replaced, got a cap can from Haysed hamfest. Have had the amp since before I learnt about electronics, probably close to 10 years since I bought it - now I've finally ready to service it and see how it sounds :)

[@ipsurvivor]

I'm a new sub... love hearing these tasty treats that you lovingly give just the right amount of TLC that brings out their true character... and for giving us a well played run through the different settings without torturing us with excruciating details about the exact settings.... so we can hear what the amp sounds like

[@TheGuitologist]

Thanks, man. That's the goal. I don't always succeed, but I try.

[@ericohman]

Hey Brad. I'm just done (knock on wood) with my Tremotone. I played it a hour ago. At first the volume was low, changed PI tube and then it worked. But I'm worried because tube 2 lights up like crazy when I power the amp on. And if I'm not mistaken, prior to swapping out the faulty tube I believe that the tube that lit up was the faulty tube and not the second tube. Anyway, I posted a 10 second video of the start up. Any help very welcomed, being from you Brad or anyone else.

[@tiki_trash]

That amp really is clean. Nothing in my house ever looks that good after a month or so due to dust and smoke. I was shocked at how clean the chassis is.

[@linctexpilot8337]

Love your channel - VERY educational

[@TheGuitologist]

Thanks for watching!

[@phlopalopagus]

You wernt kidding! That National sounded tits. What a great tone. Thats the closest to perfect Ive ever heard. Im putting this info in the bank. I will not pass on one of these is I see one.

[@VonBlade]

Rule #1 of youtube videos, if the title contains a word in all caps, it rarely holds true. In this case, it just might. It is somewhere between the crunch and the gristle that is currently only available from the ISF on a Blackstar. Lush tone.

[@PecanPie1102]

A bit to tremalou ee if thats a word. But that was deep music. 👍playing some licks

[@6A8G]

Hey Brad, just found this post - bloody good. PLEASE go back to making instructive posts like this? Your recent stuff is loaded with manager-wank & anger. No reason to do this because you bring musical instruments back to life & you have the power to do it brilliantly... then you post a video about being stuck in traffic???? Welcome to the 20th century pal, this shit has been happening for quite some time:( Come on man, do what you do best - leave the ultrawank to the politicians. That's what they're paid to do.................... mind you you have Trump in charge............ could be a problem.

[@avibank]

EEVlog for tube amps.

[@themightychabunga2441]

Oh man! I love-love-love this little amp! One thousand times I thank you.This post was like a time machine for old Chabunga.

[@pharmerdavid1432]

That is a very cool amp, no doubt. Some guitar players collect those old oval speakers, they sound so good. My fathers old tube stereo I inherited after the divorce had two oval Jensen speakers, which sounded great. Wish I'd kept the Tandberb reel to reel tape player, Dual turntable, and tube Fischer receiver: it was a great combination. Lost that to my bad habits - too bad.. Uncle Doug did a video on perhaps my favorite National tweed amp, the Aztec, which used three of those oval speakers, and had a bit more power, using 6L6 power tubes. I'd love to try playing through this amp! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIXOep2er7qlopY

[@JesusIsLordofMybeing]

Beautiful little amp!!! I want two....Ha Ha Thanks as usual Brad!!! Awesome job!!!

[@markbratton111]

Wow! The beef in that thing! Rockin'!

[@markwebb8285]

Not sure I'd say it Destroys another amp......unless you have a refurbished Tremolux to compare it to. But if I were a betting man, I'd say if you had a Fender Tremolux for sale also, it would blow away any other amp that needed refreshing. Who am I to throw a monkey wrench into your financial plans? By any chance, have you ever sold cars?

[@escargotomy]

A beautifully constructed and sounding amp. Nice job with the servicing too. RCA's are nice but being from New Jersey I have always been partial to Tung Sol's for an amp like this. I would have retubed with all Tungs but that's just personal preference. Cheers!

[@TheGuitologist]

Thanks for watching.

[@joesimon2018]

Another amp that gets overlooked with great vibrato and tweed sound are the Magnatones. Specifically the 213, 413, 440, 260 and 280 models.

[@keiranbradley3238]

That's pure Americana, sounds absolutely amazing!. I'd take a Valco like this over a Fender deluxe anyday. Old Premier amps are killer too!.

[@ant1sokolow]

Nice amp, and good sound and playing. It's nice to see someone who have real gear knowledge and can play too. I got some questions: I see there is only one knob for the tremolo: is this for the rate, or depth or just an on/off switch ? I did a little search on 6sq7 tube: "double diode triode". What is the use of the diode part in this circuit ? I don't think i ever see the use of tube diodes in guitar amps ( not talking about about rectifiers) but my knowledge is limited.

[@buddylobos5277]

I had a speaker like that in a 1961 amp 'no name'. I thought somebody had put in speakers from a car! Sounded awful live, but recorded great. Unbelievable sound.Perfect distortion.

[@mariodesio2436]

I'm wanting to build an amp like this! You sure the 12ax7 is the tremolo tube? Wondering if the 12ax7 is gain makeup after the volume and tone pots and the other half is the PI? The 6sq7 is a single triode so maybe that would be the tremolo? Thanks!

[@stephenquick3370]

The 51 in Chicago 51 is the zone and would have become the last two digits of the zip code when implemented, most likely 60651. Other possibilities were 605, 601, and 600.

[@JolicoeurAbear]

interesting video. the earlier version of this amp did not have any 12ax7 tubes. the only schematic I can find is for the earlier one. 2 x 6v6, 2 x 6sq7, 1 x 6sc7 and a 5y3. anyone have a schematic for this one?

[@buckhorncortez]

I watched the entire video to see the Tweed "destroy" a Tremolux. Nothing was destroyed in this video. I was expecting at least 4 lbs of Tannerite, a chain saw, bulldozer, etc. Yet nothing was destroyed. Really disappointed.

[@rockanthems]

Hey Brad i bought this sweet amp from you. Couple questions. What is the best high end tube to replace one of the 12ax7 for even better tone? And do you recommend a Supro national Val-Verb 1260?

[@TheGuitologist]

Tubes are subjective. I recommend getting an old piece of equipment like a reel to reel recorder or something that already has 2 or 3 old 12ax7 in it, so you can get some options to tube roll for cheap. Change the V1 tube for the biggest affect on tone.

[@johnchase8510]

Brad, it's fun watching you lapse into a transe as the Valco harmonic soup envelopes you.Great to see a specimen in such amazing condition. Was that a Closet Queen?

[@TheGuitologist]

I don't think it was quite a closet queen, but it was damn close. Miraculously, I don't think the owner even smoked, by the look of it.

[@jimmy5634]

I own a 1951 1212. Somebody in France has one on Reverb for 2k. I’m thinking I could get at least $1500 for mine.

[@williamhill6705]

sounds beautiful , the trem is sweet as a nut, they should have fitted a speed adjuster as they always seem too rapid , but hey just picky ! have you done afender 30 -2x10 in your travels brad? i have one and would relish seeing your take on it, whats good or nor so good ? plenty to go at tho here, its very much appreciated ,

[@w7hrcgreg]

Great Chanel! Comment " Chicago 51 Il. " Is pre Zip-code days. It now would be Chicago 60651 That is it. no secret code.

[@donaldfilbert4832]

It seems - with all the capacitor replacements required on old electronic equipment; that they should have designed / manufactured them with sockets too. Heck - it's not uncommon on old amps to leave the good old tubes - but replace the caps !!

[@azimovwatts6425]

that is some killer trem-olo. nevermind the killer tone. what about a tele with single coils? would like to hear some strat tones from it eh. thanks for the vid!

[@evanposteraro5094]

Hey I've got the exact same tiesco Tulip guitar that you've got in the background hanging. It's a real beater but it's so cool man. Fat bottomed girls by queen on that thing is a perfect match!

[@bobboitt3126]

Beautiful little amp! Sounds great.

[@movinginstereo40]

Looks more like leprosy imo.

[@movinginstereo40]

Sorry about that comment it popped up on your comment

[@artavenue4286]

Great channel ! How does someone with USA tube amp goes about 220 Volts and different Hz in Europe ? What is needed to set it up ? Thanks

[@Stuve715]

Since we're all about the pronunciation here on this channel, I have it on good authority that it's pronounced "Chick-a-go": kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmOvhHmll5WVabc

[@jayfagerlie3369]

How close is this amp to the Valco/Supro "Golden Holiday"? It looks like it could be the same amp with different branding

[@MrFrankParsons]

I'm not a technician, but that was fascinating. Thanks for uploading.

[@Smitty65721]

Oh shit the tone!!!!!! No pedals just straight break up from a classic American rock amp!!!!

[@alanchamberlain7213]

You wouldn't happen to want to work on a 1960 vibrasonic is what the who use when they first started please let me know. Great Chow very educational watch it all the time.

[@JJ-JOHNSON]

Sounds wonderful, nice looking amp also, thanks for sharing, I enjoy it.

[@kingkrollinvention]

I have heard from various people that the paper caps and such have a different sound. I think it's something my ear can't catch but apparently some people can and I have heard of amp tech taking those paper caps out and the owner of the amp being Furious about it

[@avitarmagnus9090]

nice but nothing compared to 1955 or 56 Bassman ths national is way to tinny irritation like am radio sound shit

[@nationalduo4945]

How many watts..I’m assuming 12 watts for a bit of research I di, but not much out there…can anyone help ?

[@Jake-fo3rg]

Are you using any pedals? It sounds like there is a lot of overdrive, which I would not expect on an amp of this vintage.

[@PaulinTaegu]

I like to wipe down / clean the tubes when I clean the sockets. I think the OT is a huge factor in this amps tone. That OT was massive compared to most others I've seen for a pair of 6V6s! It did not appear to be connected to field coil speakers. Or maybe only one FC speaker if it is. The metal plate shielding the inputs is a nice and important feature.

[@TheGuitologist]

The speakers are AlNiCo. No field coils. And yes, the shielding is just one little touch that showed Valco knew what they were doing and cared about tone.

[@ijamsum]

2 6v6 power tubes can give 20 watts usually or a little less if cathode bias was used ! Class A/B push pull at 20 watts gets real loud !

[@BluesRenegade]

The foot switch looks like something I saw attached to mom's Singer sewing machine in the late 50s, early 60s.

[@MoTrFinger]

your pronunciation of Tremolo is funny as hell. Trem olo is how I always heard it. Tre Molo is what it sounds like from you. Just strikes me as funny.

My first amp., back in 1980, was an old Gibson Tweed. Sooo wish I still had it.

[@raoulduke806]

Hi, would you be interested in buying a fender amp restoration project? if you want to resale it you can have a nice profit.

[@54tristin]

I don't think you should handle those capacitors without gloves, l believe they are carcinogenic.

[@williamknell864]

Very nice result. Super clean example. Valco tremolo is rich and buttery. Someone told me years ago, the trem tube can be changed from a 12AX7, to a 12AU7, etc, and it will effect to depth of fluctuations. The pot changes the speed only. Brown era Fenders and the Tweed tremolux have a nice gooey quality to the trem. Old Ampegs, as well. Blackface Fender tremolos aren't nearly pretty sounding. Cool stuff, again!

[@TheGuitologist]

Valco trem is among the best there is. Tweed era Gibson is up there as well.

[@antpage9892]

Outstanding amp! Personally I had to clone one. I thought this preamp tube line up was 6SQ7 preamp 6SQ7 trem and 12AX7 phase inverter. I shall disappear back into the night now...National Valco secret society.

[@aleksej79novosibirsk]

Is that Jolana? :) 3rd from left 23:39

[@TheGuitologist]

Yes. Here's a bass I had on the bench at one time. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGXMqHRpq7OnjMk

[@Nickpaflas]

Man, those old black RCA 6SQ7s look like WWII tanks or something.

[@mikemoyercell]

those old caps look like pretzels. lol thats is what i always thought. i thought it was funny when you said it looks like a teenagers face... lmao

[@larrychronicjr3186]

check out the Billy Zoom custom shop hand made "Little Kahuna" reverb & tremolo unit

[@cawfeedawg]

where is the tremolux comparison.. thats a pretty bold claim.. *disliked for clicky bait*

[@TORCHish]

just found one of these amps mint condition in a storage locker wondering what its value might be?

[@olradguy]

Before ZIP codes the p.o. used zone numbers as in Chicago 51, Ill

[@nokie2]

I'm not sure it beats Fender for clean tone but it has a nice over-driven sound.

[@robertruamps5680]

Great video but why don't you make a before and after sound test for us to hear the difference between before and after modifications?

[@MrGTO-ze7vb]

Sweet tone!! Those oval speakers are still good..!!

[@mr.j1400]

You're good at what you do but we are not five year olds,they wouldn't be watching your videos

[@rexrobards7407]

About the notation "Chicago 51": the '51' was what was known as the "postal zone". Today it is still the last two digits of the zip code. You will hear a reference to this in Elvis Presley's "Return to Sender". The refrain in the song says, "Return to sender. Address unknown. No such number, no such ZONE."

[@richardneubauer4395]

Rex Robards Post office installed zip codes in 1967.

[@TubeGuy1975]

Enjoyed your video!! One or two questions - How bright can this amp get from a tone perspective? Wanted to know how the Tone control is set for your demo. Lastly, which brand of capacitor did you use for the new coupling caps? I am looking at one of these amps for sale and it has Mallory M150 series replacement caps. Thanks!!!

[@TheGuitologist]

At the end of the video, the tone and volume were both cranked. The cap brand I'm not sure. They are sold by Antique Electronic Supply, and I've always had good luck with them. If your other one falls through, this one is for sale. Message me if interested: bradlinzy at gmail

[@bertvisser6423]

sweet amp! Would be nice to see a sound test with a strat on this thing :)

[@ScottMcCulloughBmax419]

I had a chance to buy a Tremotone 20 years ago. It had the thickest, most complex tone I've ever heard. I could have had it for a decent price back then, but alas, it was out of my budget.

[@TheGuitologist]

Valcos from this era are my favorite amps of all time, probably followed closely by the ones from the 60s.

[@ScottMcCulloughBmax419]

There's something magical about the sound of oval speakers. Unfortunately, those speakers are also the biggest liability of Tremotones and similar Valcos. I've never heard of any rebuilder who was able to find replacement cones. The cones and adhesives are surely near the end of their lives, even with only 15 watts of output. I'd be afraid every gig would be the one when a cone dissolved into dust.

[@tobyk_8045]

What are your opinion on a painted chassis like this? Prone to grounding problems?