This is a time capsule! From the time this little 6-watt Aussie valve amp was made in May 1962 until August 2009, this amp and its red-tolexed twin sat in their original boxes, forgotten and untouched. New Old Stock. It was only during a clearing auction that these two amps came to light, and the boxes opened for the first time. The red one and its original box went straight to the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, and the other was sold to me. Unfortunately, the box went to a 1960s 'shop museum', so is not now with the amplifier.

Strangely, there is no brand displayed anywhere on the unit, nor on the box. I've been informed that the box had a black & white picture of the amp on it with a brief description.

The initial thought I had, from the plexiglass control panel, was that the amp was a Goldentone, but I very quickly changed my mind to thinking it's an early Maton amplifer after seeing the stamped serial number, and the construction and layout of the chassis. If you look at the delightful '59 Maton Mastersound amp that sold some time ago, you will see that the cabinet dimensions and 8" alnico red-label Rola speaker are exactly like the '59. It's got the same Maton serialisation, C1131 (the '59 Maton was B4750). It's definitely Melbourne-made.

One big development between 1959 and 1962 was the inclusion of tremolo (I'm a tremolo nut!), so this amp is not only the most beautiful six watts of great vintage 6BQ5 single-ended (true class-A) tone, but also has tremolo with full depth and speed control. Preamp and tremolo valves are two 12AX7s, and the valve rectifier is a 6V4. All valves, of course, are original.

Condition is, simply, as new. I've never seen anything like it, and probably never will again. Unless, of course, the Powerhouse Museum puts its red-tolexed twin on display and I make a trip to Sydney to see it. And it works a treat. Unbelievably loud for its diminutive size and power.

This vintage valve amp measures 30cm(W) x 32cm(H) x 15cm(D). Weight is 6kg.

Sold to Martin

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