1976 CMI SG Systems 212 Guitar Amplifier, Gibson, Standel, Maestro, Kalamazoo, Chicago

1976 CMI SG Systems 212 Guitar Amplifier, Gibson, Standel, Maestro, Kalamazoo, Chicago Musical Instruments

Brace yourself. This is a true American original. VERY RARE, and super unique guitar amp design that also happens to feature the GREATEST KNOBS OF ALL TIME. It has a BUILT-IN Spring reverb, Notch EQ, Fuzz, and a Maestro Phase Shifter that sounds just a chewy as you remembered!

The amp design is unusual: a Tube Power section with a solid state preamp section, but with a 12AX7 that may be a phase inverter a la early Music Man amps. I had this RECENTLY SERVICED (2 yrs ago, maybe) and now has new old stock RCA 8417 power tubes, a RARE TUBE that comes with hi-fi credentials. The original speakers are still in it (2x12 Thomas Organ Alnico Speakers). The result of all of this is an amp that delivers the clarity you'd want for jazz, funk, and pedal steel, but the capacity to rock as well. Takes effects extremely well, and of course it's fun because it has it's own effects, and it LOOKS like you could be flying a Tardis with the thing.

This amp was made by CMI (Chicago Musical Instruments), who manufactured for: Gibson, Kalamazoo, Maestro, Sabre, SG Systems, Standel, and Lowery. This is the SG Systems 212 and "SG" stood for Standel/Gibson series amp, designed by Bob Crook, of Standel, and is reminiscent of his hybrid tube/solid state designs for that company in 1963. CMI owned Gibson from 1944-1969, and made Gibson amps from 65-67.

Here is more info from a reviewer who is very knowledgeable in regards to these amps:

Great 1976 CMI Electronics (Gibson) SG Systems SG-212 Vintage 100 Watt Tube Amp.

SG Systems amps had a hybrid tube power section and solid-state preamp with two extremely rare RCA 8417 power tubes and an RCA 12AX7A (the latter is possibly a phase inverter, driving the two power tubes, similar to the early MusicMan amps, which had a 12AX7 phase inverter between the solid-state preamp and the power sections). Designed by Bob Crooks of Standel fame and manufactured by CMI Electronics (Chicago Musical Instruments - former parent of Gibson - later to become Norlin Music) in Crooks' old plant in El Monte, CA.

two channels, one clean and one with effects, each with two inputs (Hi and Lo impedance). Channel two includes a built-in Maestro (PS-1) Phase Shifter with 3 speeds, reverb, "wave form" (Maestro sine “fuzz”) distortion, and a “Notch Shift" feature that simulates an EQ with 4 presets. (The bass guitar versions such as the SG-215 did not have the phaser, fuzz or reverb.)

Both channels include separate oversized and easy-to-read volume, bass and treble controls. The effects channel adds Midrange (tone) and Accent controls, the latter being similar to an attack or presence control. A master volume knob controls the mix of both channels.

All effects are controllable via an optional footswitch (PSFS-2)(Not included with this model).

These amps weigh in at around 80 lbs.