1950s Guyatone Model AR Guitar Radio Combo Amp w/ Original Wooden Box グヤトーン

If you are a collector of Guyatone amplifiers, then you're most likely aware that this model, Guyatone Model AR, is quite rare. To the best of my knowledge, there is no information on the Web regarding this amplifier, so I'm happy to shed some light on it today.

Regarding the model # (i.e., 'AR'), the 'R' most likely corresponds with 'Radio'. However, in addition to the radio, this amp is a bit different than the Model A which I also have listed, as it has a Tone knob as well.

The kanji on the cardboard box reads:最高の技術と斬新なスタイル (Best Technology and Novel Style)グヤトーン電気楽器 (Guyatone Electric Instruments)アンプリファイヤーAR (Amplifier AR)東京 (Tokyo) 松木電気音響研究室 (Matsuki Electro Acoustic Laboratory) -- This part is also on the back of the amp on the nameplate.

The creator of this amp, Mitsui Matsuki, first used the 'Matsuki Electro Acoustic Laboratory' around 1948, hence dating this amp to around 1948-1952.

As you can tell from the pictures, this amplifier is a radio / guitar combo. Please see the Youtube video for a demonstration of this exact amplifier. The amplifier has a variable capacitor inside and DET Star coil which control the radio feature. The attachment on the back of the amp allows for the addition of a wire (e.g., copper) which can strengthen the signal. As the video shows, I'm currently getting a weak signal with the copper wire that I am using, and only if I touch the wire do I get a decent signal (copper wire is not included in this listing, but you should easily be able to find it somewhere like a home center).

The amp is fairly simple in the sense that it has a tone knob and a volume knob, in addition to the radio control knob. Left on the tone knob for a more treble and right for more bass. The amp uses 4 vaccum tubes. The types of the tubes can be seen from the photos.

The amp includes what appears to be a custom-made guitar pick (white) as you can see in the components picture. This will be included with this set.

Regarding cosmetic issues, please reference the pictures as much as possible.

Functionality-wise, the Tsubame potentiometers are a bit scratchy, even after using cleaning spray. I've replaced all the older capacitors, the original power cord, and a few wires here and there. All will be included with this purchase and sent to the buyer.

Regarding shipping, the amp will first be placed in the cardboard box inside the wooden box. I've tried, and I'm unable to first use bubble wrap and then place it inside. I will place bubble wrap on the top of the amp and put the power cord above it. I'll then bubble wrap the wooden box. This is exactly how I got the amp. The tubes will individually be bubble wrapped and put along with all the other accessories.

As I've mentioned in my other listings, given the age of this amplifier and shipping in general, there is a chance that a component could come loose or the amplifier could get dinged up during shipping. In purchasing this listing, you as a buyer agree to this possibility and accept that no returns are accepted. In the event the amp does not work out of the box, I'm happy to correspond with the buyer to isolate the issue, but I can not guarantee that I could determine the issue. Again, you agree to this in purchasing the amplifier.