1959 Elpico Tube Amp Set, AC85 + Matching Tube Radio + Speaker Cabinet

This is an authentic, late-1950s British tube rig. Elpico (Lee Products Co. London) gear from this era is highly regarded by vintage guitarists and studio producers. The AC85 circuit architecture is the direct point-to-point, hand-wired precursor to the famous Sound City Studio 20 and Super 20 amplifiers released under Dallas Arbiter in the 1960s. Elpico is also famously known as the amplifier brand used by Dave Davies of The Kinks for his early distorted guitar tones, and by Paul McCartney in his pre-Beatles days.

All three pieces have stayed together as a matching cosmetic set for decades.

Component Breakdown

1. Elpico AC85 Valve Amplifier (Working)

Status: Tested and fully functional.

Performance: Tested with an electric guitar, the amplifier works properly and delivers a great 1950s British tube sound, breaking up into a natural overdrive at lower studio volumes. Slightly crackly, assume light cleaning to the connections is required.

Controls: All five original cream chicken-head knobs and switches are present.

Power: The original multi-tap voltage selector on the top chassis is set to the maximum 240V/250V tap, making it safe for modern UK and European mains power.

Build: Hand-wired, point-to-point layout with original factory transformers.

2. Elpico Matching Extension Speaker Cabinet (Working)

Status: Tested and fully functional, some crackling as connections likely need light cleaning.

History: The inside of the cabinet is hand-stamped with the manufacturing date: 2-OCT 1959.

Driver: The fragile original 1950s speaker has been replaced with a vintage Yamaha JA 2061 (8-Ohm, 30-Watt) natural-sound driver. This is a practical upgrade for players, as the 30-watt power handling means you can turn up the AC85 amplifier safely without blowing the speaker cone. It runs safely off the amplifier's 15-Ohm rear terminal tap.

3. Elpico Tabletop Radio Receiver (Non-Working / Cosmetic Only)

This radio is very rare. I've been an Elpico enthusiast for many years and I've never seen another.

Status: Non-functional. It does not play audio.

Condition: The tuning needle moves smoothly across the dial face. The glass dial scale—which features SW, MW, LW, and the rare TW (Trawler/Tropical) band—is in excellent aesthetic condition with no cracks.

Purpose: Included as a matching cosmetic display piece to complete the visual stack, or as a restoration project for a radio hobbyist.

Cosmetics & Condition Notes

This is an uncleaned "barn find" stack showing honest vintage patina.

The cabinets have surface dust, scuffs, light scratches, and age-related wear to the finishes expected of 65+ year old gear.

The original leather handle on the radio unit is heavily cracked and worn.

All original brand badges and dial text are intact.

Please study the high-resolution gallery photos carefully to judge the cosmetic condition for yourself.

This set will be carefully packed with tubes removed and protected.

Will likely require two boxes...maybe three.

Thanks for looking!