Sears Silvertone 1484

[marcoloco961]

So I ended up with one for $50.00. Most of the tubes have been scavenged for other projects. But AFAIK it still works. Doesn't sound that good, (bad filter caps I would bet) but I know nothing about these amps and how they sounded new, etc. Looks like the OT is small and weak, which would lead me to believe they were probably low quality to begin with.

The amp itself it in pretty decent shape for its age, but was cheaply built to begin with. It has a different power transformer which I have been eyeballing for a experimental type of deal, as it has a ton of taps. It is actually two 120V taps into two voltage doublers stacked for 480V, it also has a heavy duty 6.3V tap that carried 4 -12ax7's 2- 6fq7's and 2- 6L6GC's and a bias winding.

So am I a fool if I tear this amp apart for parts??? Or is it worth anything in original form (I am severely doubting this)

[Cliff Schecht]

It's not that they are worth loads of money, but why ruin something so old that works? The only time I salvage vintage equipment is when it's just not going to get back to working order. If it's in good enough shape, why not get it running? I find as much joy from fixing vintage stuff as I do from building from scratch. FWIW that is the amp that Jack White from the White Stripes and Raconteurs uses, so they sell for $500+ regularly in good working order. Maybe not your flavor, but others really dig this amp..

[Structo]

Yes please don't ruin that amp.
If it is not to your liking get it working properly and sell it.

[marcoloco961]

Thanks guys. It worked a few months ago when I put a grounded chord on it for safety. I got it back when the guy needed money and I told him to come back in a week after he got his paycheck and I would give it back for the same money. It has been months and I haven't heard from him. I didn't really have the money to lend at the time, but I felt bad seeing him give away probably hundreds worth of old tubes for $50.00. I honestly didn't plug it in since I got it back, it might not still work. It is fairly clean and I still have all the original tubes, etc.

Guess I won't take it apart. It has all the original caps, CC resistors, etc. It would almost be a total rebuild to make it work well again, and I don't think I want to spend that much to fix it. I will re-tube it and see if it is still in working order. If it works, it might go up for sale with no power tubes and some Tung-sol 12AX7's in it..........

[marcoloco961]

I'll be damned, everything works, original caps and all. I put it back together with the Tung sol's and the original 6L6's and it worked fine. Had less gain than I remember it having last time I had it here, but it was almost better sounding with the lower gain. I am betting that the original OT just wasn't up to proper spec when this amp was running all out.

[Cliff Schecht]

The small OT is part of the charm. When you push the shit out of these amps you saturate the small OT and lose bandwidth in the low end, which tightens up the mids and makes these amps bark. Great for slide or old blues.

I have a 1954 model 1331 that is all original aside from a new chord and newer electrolytics. It still looks great inside and out and fires up just fine some 56 years later. While they were budget minded amps, they're really cool in their own right and were still hand-made in the USA. The great price on these is just a plus IMO.

[Structo]

You see that is what is very cool about tube amps.

Sure things degrade over the years like the power cord and electrolytic caps, but fix those things and there is no reason that amp that is already 50 years old won't last another 50 years.

Think about it.
An amp that was made in 1965 is now 45 years old.

That means the black faces are going on 50 years old and the tweeds 55 years old.

Amazing to those of us old enough to forget things.

[rdjones]

I recently dug out on old 1484 from my parents basement. (head only, I never had the cab)
As I remember I got it in trade for some guitar work and left it there for at least 25 years.
It fired right up, still had the original Silvertone branded GE 6L6s in it.
Buddy of mine gave $150 for it. I'd rather see it being used, etc.

Yes, it uses a weird power supply arrangment, and the smallish OT is probably a weak point.
The reverb is really chintsy sounding, but the amp sounds OK when pushed.
It's got a certain retro vibe to it, but as with any cheaply made vintage gear it might not put up with a lot of bouncing around.
Better left to studio or practice room duty.

Jack White uses the 1485 100 watt version and is apparently not interested in the 50 watt 1484s.

rd

[marcoloco961]

You see that is what is very cool about tube amps.

Sure things degrade over the years like the power cord and electrolytic caps, but fix those things and there is no reason that amp that is already 50 years old won't last another 50 years.

Think about it.
An amp that was made in 1965 is now 45 years old.

That means the black faces are going on 50 years old and the tweeds 55 years old.

Amazing to those of us old enough to forget things.

I have to agree with you there. When I got the amp the first time to repair it's power chord it was in rough shape. I remember thinking that there was no way it would still work. After I tried it and it worked, I just assumed someone had replaced some components. When I opened it up and saw what looks like original parts I was floored. 40 some year old PIO caps and CC resistors still in spec. enough to work and sound half way decent. I had a buddy in another forum trying to tell me that tube amps would be obsolete in five years due to the new modelers .............Freakin delirious people......................LOL

[M Fowler]

In 2003 I had an auction sale and sold my 1484 head and cabinet as well as the Silvertone guitar, wish I had kept them.

[Masco]

Jack White uses the 1485 100 watt version and is apparently not interested in the 50 watt 1484s.

rd

The only difference: An extra OT for another pair of output tubes, slightly beefier PT. Each pair of 6L6s get their own 3x10 speakers, instead of the single pair 6L6s w/ 2x12 in the 1484.
I'd be interested to hear two 1484s vs. one 1485...

[cobalt]

I got mine free! It is however a complete basket case. I am thinking about re-building it this winter. I was wondering if I should/could re-wire the 6cg7 sockets to 12au7, I have some of those no 6cg7. Re-build will be all e-caps, pots, switches, jacks, and plenty of cleaning.