Supro Model S697T Combo Tremolo Tube Amplifier (1965), ser. #1-14337.

Supro Model S697T Combo Tremolo Model Tube Amplifier (1965), made in Chicago, serial # 1-14337, grey speckled fabric covering finish.

This is a particularly attractive midrange combo offering from Supro, Chicago-based Valco's in-house "open" line. The "Supro" line was not franchised, meaning any jobber/dealer could sell them, unlike the franchised premium "National" brand. While many Supro-branded products were generally considered budget-oriented, their amplifiers were the same build quality level as those sold under the National brand, as well as subcontracted models made for other resellers such as Gretsch.

This Model S6497T sits squarely in the middle of Supro's 1964-1965 range, marketed as a "guitar-accordion-bass" amplifier with an onboard tremolo effect. It listed at $227.50 in 1964, placing it just below the $239.50 price of a Fender Deluxe Reverb at the time. This example is clad in the classic grey Tolex "Rhino Hide" vinyl covering complimented by the black plastic logo on the typical silver grille cloth.

The "Combo Tremolo" takes the famed Supro Thunderbolt circuit used by Jimmy Page and others as its base and adds several additional features. It features two channels, each with two inputs and master controls for volume and tone. The first (normal) channel features a bass/treble boost switch while the second tremolo channel features an "accordion/guitar" switch as well as speed and intensity controls for the tremolo along with a jack for the tremolo foot switch. A dual 6L6-driven power section yields around 35 watts of power into a single 15" Jensen speaker. Much like the Thunderbolt, it delivers a thick, raw tone with a responsive crunch when cranked.

Height is 19 in. (48.3 cm.), 23 1/2 in. (59.7 cm.) width, and 9 3/8 in. (23.8 cm.) deep.

Cosmetically this amp is in exquisite condition. The Tolex "Rhino Hide" covering is in near-mint condition and shows no significant wear. The grille cloth is beautifully clean with no notable tearing or fraying, retaining the original black plastic Supro logo (often lost or broken) in perfect shape. The chrome control panel is nice and shiny with only minor blemishes and one small spot of corrosion above the channel 2 volume control, all of the stenciled lettering is nicely intact. The knobs appear original and the original handle is still intact and its hardware only shows minor signs of corrosion. The amp also comes with a lovely original grey corduroy dust cover.

Electrically, the amp is nicely original. The original 15" Jensen speaker bears the code 220406, dating it to the 6th week of 1964. The speaker retains its original cone and sounds and tests great. The original power and output transformers were manufactured by Triad of Chicago, Illinois and bear the codes 524-65-05 and 524-65-08, dating them to the 5th and 8th week of 1965, respectively. Potentiometers date between the 2nd and 9th weeks of 1965. The amp has otherwise seen typical maintenance and servicing including replacement of all electrolytic capacitors, cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks, a grounded 3-prong power cord and output tubes biased to spec. Overall Excellent - Condition.