English Electronics Tone Master 1960s owned by Ray LaMontagne

While that might look like a Fender Custom Shop symbol on the cloth covering, this amp is as far as you can get from the world of boutique amps trying to chase vintage vibe. This is the real deal. This Valco-made amp smells and sounds like the mid-20th century, but amazingly, hasn't suffered the incredible abuse some amps its age have.

English Electronics was the result of Lansing, Michigan studio owner Norman English and his relationship with Valco, who would custom make instruments and amps for him in the '50s and '60s.

These amps are relatively rare, especially specimens that are all-original like this one. Add in the fact that this was used and owned by Ray LaMontagne, and this becomes a very special amp. This English Electronics Tone Master is labeled an "Accordion-Guitar Amplifier" on the control panel, with a separate channel for a microphone input. There's also a footswitch jack to control the tremolo effect (footswitch not included). There isn't a wattage rating anywhere on the amp, but after playing it, my best guess is 15 watts.

It looks like it's using two General Electric 6L6G tubes with a RCA 5-43 tube. It has a single 15" Jensen Alnico V PM Speaker that, while original, might need a reconing in the future. The sound isn't consistently clear, and my best guess is that the speaker may need to be replaced or repaired. 

Nonetheless, this is an incredibly clean and uncommon fifty-year-old amp, something that would fill out a collection nicely or serve as a hip, vintage club amp for a gigging musician. Harmonica players, vocalists, lap steel players and guitar players should all take a second look and ask questions.

Don't hesitate to send a message or an offer!

* blown speaker?