Vadis Extended Range LB61 Series 3 Head + Matching 3x12 Plessey Cab c.1970s

Vadis Extended Range LB61 Head & Matching 3x12 Cabinet — Vintage Australian Valve Amp

Up for sale is a rare Vadis Extended Range LB61 amplifier head with its matching Vadis 3x12 cabinet, loaded with three original Plessey C12P 12-inch speakers.

Vadis amps were built in Sydney, Australia by Soundcraft Industries, and are now one of the more interesting names in Australian vintage amplifier history. These were locally made working-musician amps from the golden era of Australian valve amplification, sitting alongside names like Goldentone, Moody, Eminar and Maton. Production is generally understood to have run from the 1960s into the early 1970s, with Vadis amps distributed through Dynamic Music.

This example is the Extended Range Series 3, model LB61, serial number 2124. I haven’t found a confirmed serial-number dating chart for Vadis, so I cannot guarantee the exact year from the serial alone, but another documented LB61 Extended Range Series 3 example was dated internally to April 1973, placing this model firmly in the early-1970s period.

The head features two channels, each with dual inputs and controls for Volume, Treble and Bass, plus the original-style front panel, badge, knobs, handle and hardware. It has that unmistakable vintage Australian amp look, with black covering, white pinstriping, aged metal corners and the classic Vadis badge.

The matching cabinet is a major part of the appeal here. It is loaded with three original Plessey C12P speakers, which are highly regarded Australian-made vintage speakers. Plessey/Rola speakers were commonly used in Australian amplifiers of this era, and C12P speakers are especially associated with vintage Australian guitar amp cabinets.

Tonally, this is the kind of amp that sits in a very cool space between guitar and bass use. The “Extended Range” name is fitting — these are big, bold, full-range vintage amps with plenty of clean headroom, a strong midrange character, and the kind of natural breakup that only comes from an old valve amp being pushed. The Plessey-loaded 3x12 cab gives it a very distinctive Australian vintage voice: warm, raw, open and characterful.

Cosmetically, the amp and cabinet show honest vintage wear throughout, including age-related marks, patina, tarnishing to metal hardware, and general signs of use. The wear looks exactly as you’d hope on a genuine vintage Australian amp stack — aged, used and full of character, rather than artificially cleaned up or restored-looking.

This is a very cool and uncommon Australian-made vintage amp rig, especially with the matching cabinet and original Plessey C12P speakers still present.

Details

Brand: Vadis
Model: Extended Range LB61
Series: Series 3
Serial Number: 2124
Era: Likely early 1970s
Country of Manufacture: Australia
Head: Vadis Extended Range LB61
Cabinet: Matching Vadis 3x12
Speakers: 3 x original Plessey C12P 12-inch speakers
Channels: 2
Controls: Volume, Treble and Bass per channel
Inputs: Dual inputs per channel
Condition: Vintage used condition with age-related wear and patina

Condition Notes

This is a vintage amplifier and cabinet, so buyers should expect normal cosmetic wear consistent with age. There are marks, scuffs, tarnishing and general patina throughout, but it presents beautifully as an original vintage Australian amp stack.

Please refer to the photos for the full cosmetic condition.

Important Note

Amp has been tested and is in working order. Exact year has not been confirmed from the serial number, but the LB61 Extended Range Series 3 is associated with the early 1970s, with at least one documented example dated internally to April 1973.

**SHIPPING**

Pick-up is preffered for this item due to the size and vintage nature of the amp. Domestic shipping to metro areas looks to be around 300 - 500, with more remote area's such as WA and TAS more expensive. Contact me to get a quote and we can go from there.