• From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Topic: My little restoration project: 1957 Silvertone 1331

Hey everyone,

I inquired a couple weeks ago to see what I should do with this old amp I inherited. I ended up retubing, new speaker, and recovering it in tween and oxblood grille cloth. Here are my photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24077525@N … 522869422/

Here's what "originals" look like and some info on the amp itself. A lot of them look like trainwrecks.
http://www.silvertoneworld.net/amplifie … /1331.html

It doesn't sound the best, but I didn't do the best job recovering it either. So I tell people it "sounds as good as it looks."

big_smile

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: My little restoration project: 1957 Silvertone 1331

Cool!  So...how does it sound?  You never really hear a lot of talk on these old amps.  Vintage=good in my book though.  Can you post a demo or sound clips?

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.

3 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2009-02-09 08:19:07)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: My little restoration project: 1957 Silvertone 1331

It is kind of muddy, doesn't really have the dynamic range. The "tone" control is like a combo between a 'gain' control and the tone knob on your guitar. Even with a new speaker it doesn't sparkle very much with humbuckers. With P-90's it sounds pretty decent when using the bridge pickup. I might be able to post some sound clips this weekend.

The main thing about the amp was the low cost craftsmanship. the sides are this corky/cardboard material, and the bottom piece of wood is two pieces side by side stapled together. there's a piece of wood on the top too, and that crappy cardboard stuff making the curved top in the front. But it IS really light in weight!  I was thinking about remaking it all with plywood, but that would've been more trouble than it's worth because it doesn't sound super awesome to begin with.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: My little restoration project: 1957 Silvertone 1331

I wonder if a speaker replacement wouldn't save that amp!  Maybe try a Jensen ceramic speaker (whatever they put in the new twins and deluxe reverbs) because that is the least muddy and clearest speaker I've ever heard.  If you inherited it or got the amp dirt cheap it may be worth a few bills to get it up to snuff.  Good luck with the amp!

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.

5 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2009-02-18 08:46:41)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: My little restoration project: 1957 Silvertone 1331

I have a Weber 8" 4ohm 15watt SIG-T in it. I looks like a great speaker. Haven't broken it in yet. I hear that takes some time.

I'm getting this shrill buzz on the low end with the vol and tone up all the way. Also when I turn the knobs just after turning it on, I get this radio wave warp sound just like Axis Bold As Love. I gotta warm it up for about 10 minutes so that doesnt happen. But I crank it and still get this shrill buzz when I hit notes on the Low E. It's also most noticeable on the lead pickups of any guitar I plug into it.

Anybody have any suggestions?

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool