Retro Amplifiers from Fender Guitars

It’s 2012 and retro is still in. Did we not warn you last year that this trend is clearly here to stay and boy, were we right! Speaking of music technology, with the newest gadgets spread on every shelf in every store; don’t you sometimes wish that you could seek comfort in something from the past? If you’re looking for a guitar amplifier and want one that reflects the ‘old and vintage’ theme, Fender’s Pawn Shop Special amps promise to rewind back to the time when electrified sound was the ‘in’ thing. The two models – the Greta and its macho counterpart – the Excelsior have been referred to as some of the unique tube combo amplifiers in Fender’s history.

One look at the amps and you begin to realize that they are so reminiscent of finds at a hardware flea market or a vintage thrift store – except that they are far from being thrifty. The 13 watt Excelsior combo amp has a brown Vinyl jacket and a grille design in the shape of an ‘E’. It has a 15 inch ‘Special Design’ speaker, top and bottom loaded control chassis with two 12 AX7 preamp and two 6V6 output tubes. The unit is capable of producing tones that border on the ‘polite’ at one end to absolutely ‘raucous’ on the other. Other noteworthy features include a 6.3mm instrument input, a microphone, an accordion, a tremolo circuit with controls for speed and a volume control. And the suggested retail price is a cool US$400.

The bold red and tinier Greta amp features a 12AT7 output and 12AX7 preamp tube with a 4 inch speaker. The output is just 2 watts. The Greta amp is dressed to impress with right red front and rear wood panels. To add a little extra oomph, there’s also golden metal on the top and sides. There is an analog VU meter on the front portion of the amp that indicates clean/overload tone. Gold volume and tone knobs finish the amp stylishly.

So if you’re feeling a little nostalgic, you already know where to head to! Click here to learn more about the Greta & the Excelsior.