Happy 4th to you all! The other day I spotted a closet classic, 1968(I believe)Frankie head 2-15's in cascade tuck&roll. I can see no flaws, both pieces are immaculate with the exception of an 1/8" spot on the head(size of a pencil tip) where the sparkle finish rubbed off. The head has 2 channels with 2 inputs on each side, no built in effects. Another reason, besides the fact it houses 2-15" speakers, I suspect this is primarily used for bass. No covers or pedals.
Anyway, my question is,,, how much is too much? Thanks in advance!
I also meant to mention for what it's worth, the 2x15 cab has the badge that says "Kustom By Ross" I recall reading somewhere that this indicates an early run? Thanks again
stevem Messages: 4728 Registered: June 2004 Location: NY
Senior Member
The last year for a Frankie ear head was 67, and all Frank era heads have a perforated black steel cover on it to protect the transistors mounted on its rear panel.
Also the a Frank non PA heads have only one speaker output jack on that panel.
The non effects heads are for use with bass, or 6 string Guitar, the difference is the type of 15" speakers the cabinet came with.
If the jack mounting plate on the cabinet says CTS than the cab is for bass, if the cab plate says Jensen that's for guitar.
Thanks for the info Steve. Yes, the head did have a steel perforated backing as well as the one speaker jack on the cab. It was just guess on the year, I could not quite make out the serial# behind the steel backing. Taking all this into consideration, any idea what I should expect to pay for this rig?
stevem Messages: 4728 Registered: June 2004 Location: NY
Senior Member
If you remove the 4 long sheet metal screws from the bottom of the head you can slide the chassis out and date the amp from the numbers stamped in the case of the power transformer. You will find one long string of numbers and a set of 3 and than 4 numbers.
The first 2 numbers if the 4 number string is the week that the transformer was made, the next 2 numbers are the year it was made, so you should read something like 606 4567 for the 45th week of 1967.
The control pots mounted on the front circuit board are stamped the same the same way but will start of with 137, than the 4 digit string.
Price wise not having the set of amp covers can knock 100 bucks off of the selling price of the amp .
Overall selling price wise I wound not blow much more than 600 since it's just a non effects head but with a rare color.
pleat Messages: 1452 Registered: June 2004 Location: Belding, Mi
Senior Member
The model number given on the original post is C595 which indicates the amp's speaker cabinet came with CTS bass speakers. The 595 is the retail price of the amp and cabinet.
After 45+ years, even though it is a closet find, you don't know without a doubt, if the cabinet still has the CTS speakers and what condition they are in. Removing the back panel is the only way to know.
Some of the real early models didn't have any port holes cut in the speaker board, but since yours has the Kustom logo, I'd guess it has the two 3" dia. port holes. A fellow collector just picked up a silver Frankie with the 2x15 cab that has 4 factory port holes. Never seen one of those surface, but it is factory original.
I think 600 is a fair price on the high side without seeing or hearing the amps's condition. You could invest 100 to 130.00 more in covers if you plan on transporting to gigs.
Thanks again to you both for the info. I had already tested the rig out, both input jacks on both channels, and everything works perfectly. I even pushed it a little and seemed to hold up fine. I guess you can chalk this up as being an impulse buy due to the color and condition, I guess we've all had em. It was priced a little higher than 600 but after a trade-in, I should come out alright in the spending category. I will do some more research on the speakers and manufacture date. Will share some pics here with you all when I get it home.
stevem Messages: 4728 Registered: June 2004 Location: NY
Senior Member
If you are into car repair or a friend that is and your cabinet has port tubes you use, or borrow a telescoping mirror and place it thru one port and a flash light thru the other to check out the rear of the speakers.
If they are of Jensen manufacture the rear of the magnet will have a label that says Jensen concert series and the model number on the mounting frame of the speaker will say C15L, if not than you have the Bass CTS driver set up.