British Invasion Gear

[rick_ovic]

Late last year I purchased a 1964 Selmer Thunderbird Twin 30 amplifier from a seller in Sydney. Rather than risk damage to the amp, the seller and I agreed to meet in Canberra, the capital of Australia, on a mutually convenient weekend. Robyn and I had never been to Canberra before, so it was a good opportunity to tick this off of the "places to visit" list. Robyn and I have just returned from the two day 800 mile round trip.

These amps were built in England in the late fifties and sixties and as you can see they are very similar to Vox. This one stil has it's original Celestion speakers, which have the hugest magnets I've seen. In 1963 Selmer gave its range a cosmetic overhaul, which included crocodile-skin tolex, chrome legs and an amazing cyclops-style blinking eye light on the front of the amp, which throbs in time with the tremelo. There are some way cool push-button presets on the control panel and the amp features reverb and tremelo effects. The perfect amp for yours truly

I understand that The Beatles used Selmer amplifiers before they were provided with the use of Vox Amplifiers for free or through endorsement (?).

Here's the Selmer pictured next to my '64 RM 1999 and '65 RM 1998. Dig those legs!

Here's a view of the crocodile skin tolex:-

The wacky control panel with push-button presets:-

[rick_ovic]

The rear of the amp with one of the two early Celestion speakers. Note the quaint metal holder for the reverb/tremelo footswitch. Very British.

The legs fold up neatly under the amp. Wing nuts secure them to the amp cabinet when in use and a handy metal clasp keeps them from dragging on the ground when properly stowed. Very very British!

[rick_ovic]

As expected, the amp has a typically British, Vox-like quality. It breaks up beautifully and has that creamy distortion you can only truly get from a valve amp with old Celestions in it. The blinking eye is something else. I must try and post some video on Youtube. My amp rig now consists of the Selmer and a '66 blackface Fender Super Reverb. I can hardly wait to try the ol' Ric-o-sound box with these two babies glowing!

Gerry and the Pacemakers used Selmers in the early sixties. Check out the wall-to-wall Selmers at The Cavern:-

The official Selmer brochure from the '60s:-

[cheyenne]

Wow Darren! You have one of those funny lookin wall outlets!

Just kiddin,,,nice amp. I love the crocodile skin. Very cool indeed.

[wmthor]

Nice score!

[ric330]

Thta's a really cool amp. Thanks for posting some pics.

[leftybass]

Sweet, Darren. I'd be proud if it were mine as well!

The Beatles (Paul to be specific) had a small Selmer amp in the earlier days, a Tru-Voice. They were pretty much with Vox from 1962-ish thru their touring days, but Fender amps trickled in around late 1965. Paul used a Selmer amp similar to yours in the studio for guitar overdubs around the time Sgt. Pepper was recorded IIRC...

[silverjet89]

The Beatles Gear book does show Paul using a Selmer Zodiac on Sgt. Pepper for "Good Morning Good Morning" and "Being for the benefit of Mr. Kite"

[scotty]

Darren your Selmer reminds me of a cartoon from the 80s called Willow the wisp and in the cartoon there was a evil T.V called Evil Edna.Anyway Your Selmer reminds me of her.Take care

[ozover50]

Tres cool, Trotty!! We need to have another get-together and/or jam so we can ogle!!

[mgauction]

Very cool, Darren! Hope these are still around for Australia 2010!

[shamustwin]

Very groovy, man.

[winston]

God I feel old sometimes!......... I not only remember those amps but a very good friend of ours loaned his Selmer Zodiac to the rhythm player that I had chosen to join my band back in the 60's. The rhythm player was waiting for his new Bird amp to arrive at the music store and we needed an amp so we could continue to rehearse for our first gig together.

I always liked those amps. When I did a gig with Adam Faith subbing for an injured Roulette I used one that night. God I am old.

They're very nice amps Darren.