Amps

"CROCODILE" - SELMER AMPLIFIERS 1963 TO 1965

Picture of Selmer Concord 8, courtesy of Dominic Blaazer, New Zealand

THE STORY OF SELMER AMPLIFIERS - PART 4

Written by Tim Fletcher

The famous croc-skin Selmers, probably the most sought-after models due to their exotic good looks. Imitation crocodile-skin (and snake-skin) finishes were commonly seen on British footwear and fashion accessories in the mid-sixties, and Selmer departed from their normally staid and traditional finishes by adopting a very striking two-tone croc-skin/black colour scheme - just in time for the September 1963 British Music Trade Fair. All fashions come round again, flared trousers and the fabulous croc-skins !

Selmer's changes to their range of amplifiers, which had been quite stable for some years, were more cosmetic than fundamental. The most significant were the novel "blinking-eye" which pulsated in time with the tremelo, the croc-skin coverings, enlarged Selmer logos and new model names. It seems that it was an attempt to update Selmer's image without investing in entirely new models of amplifier, and judging by the popularity of Selmer amplifiers from this era it was highly successful.

Again, descriptions of amplifiers which are simply modified versions of those previously described are abbreviated and cross-referenced back. We have made an exception for the Zodiac and Thunderbird which, although derivations of previous Selectortone models, are so popular in their own right that they deserve a full description.

THE CROCODILE SKIN PERIOD (Sept 1963 to Sept 65)

COMBOS

THE LITTLE GIANT

Curiously referred to as the "NEW" Little Giant in the catalogue, although the model had been around for years. Maybe this was due to the croc-skin/black covering, because it was otherwise identical to those of the red/cream & blue/grey periods, and still priced at 12 gns.
THE MERCURY 5

Must have been considered a more "hip" model name, as apart from it's croc-skin/black colour scheme, "blinking eye" and more modern Selmer logo now mounted top right-hand side it is identical to the Standard (blue/grey) and New Standard (red/cream) models - even the catalogue description is the same bar the model name ! Good opportunity to put the price up to 27 gns though!
THE CONCORD 8
THE CONCORD 10

Again a cosmetic make-over for the re-named Professional of the previous eras - identical except croc-skin/black finish, "blinking eye", new logo and price up to 32 gns. This model appears to have been up-rated from 8 to 10 watts at some later stage.
THE CONSTELLATION 14

A re-named Stadium with croc-skin/black finish, "blinking eye", new logo and price up to 55 gns.
THE CONSTELLATION 20

A later, up-rated to 20 watts, version of the '14', fitted with twin 12" speakers.
THE ZODIAC TWIN 30 (Earlier Version)
THE ZODIAC TWIN 30 (Later Version)

"Here at last is a new amplifier with built-in tone colours", trumpets the catalogue. Errr - but didn't it say that about the blue/grey Automatic Selectortone ? Indeed it did, and before that it said exactly the same thing about the red/cream Selector-Tone Automatic ! So it takes very little examination to spot that the Zodiac 30 is a thinly disguised Automatic Selectortone in a new cab with 2 x 12" speakers (rather than 1 x 15"), croc-skin/black finish, "blinking eye" and a much larger Selmer logo along the bottom of the speaker cloth, which is doubtless the reason for the 10 gn price increase to 85 gns.

But the Zodiac Twin 30 (and later Twin 50) is one of most popular Selmers, so we will run through the features again here. In fact we'll give you exactly what Selmer had to say about it in the catalogue.

"New Zodiac Twin 30. Four inputs - Two channels. Built-in Tremelo with speed & depth controls and foot-operated switch. Selectortone push-button controls. Very low noise and hum level. Fitted with socket for extension speaker.
Here at last is a new amplifier with built-in tone colours. By simply operating the exclusive push-button controls you are able to vary the degrees of response from High Treble to Contra Bass, thereby obtaining an infinite variety of tone colours. The new Zodiac Twin 30 is a two-channel amplifier. Channel 1 acts as a conventional amplifier with normal controls for volume and tone. Channel 2 is controlled by the unique Selectortone push-button controls. This design enables you to use one channel for a microphone without cross channel interaction, leaving the other channel free for guitar and other musical instrument amplification. Each channel has two high impedance inputs - giving you a total of four inputs which can be used simultaneously. Built-in tremelo on Channel 2 is instantly switched on or off by the footswitch provided. Speed and depth of tremelo are adjustable over wide limits by variable control knobs. Exclusive Selmer "Blinking Eye" (Patent applied for) gives visual indication of tremelo speed. The Zodiac 30 is fitted with two 12" loudspeakers and all controls are housed in a recessed panel. A pilot lamp is fitted.
Attractively finished in two-tone crocodile leatherene with modern styling. AC mains only, 200/250 volts, 50/60 cycles. Valve complement EF86 (2), ECC83 (3), EL34 (2), GZ34 (1). Output ratings British 30 watts, American 60 watts. Dimensions height 20", width 29", depth 10". 85 gns, including attractive waterproof cover."

Whew - all that and pretty too! What can we add ? Control panel has 4 inputs, 2 each of tone & volume controls, 6 pre-set tone pushbuttons, tremolo speed & depth controls and a large pilot light. The amplifier has castors and some are found with integral folding stands, which may have been an optional extra.
THE ZODIAC TWIN 50

Introduced sometime around the first half of 1964, the 50 watt Zodiac differed from the 30watt in being grid-biased as opposed to the Zodiac 30's cathode biasing. It would appear that this modification was mainly responsible for the increase in power, as the valve complement remained the same as the Zodiac 30. The two versions then were offered in parallel until the end of the "Croc" era. Goodman's ceramic magnet speakers were fitted to the new 50 watt beast - the previous Celestion alnico magnet T731 units would not have been able to handle the increased power.
The price of a Zodiac 50 was 100gns when first introduced, increased to 105gns in September 1964.
THE THUNDERBIRD TWIN 30

The Thunderbird was initially a minimally-modified Selectortone Twin (i.e. twin KT88 valves in power-amp stage) in a slightly larger case with croc-skin/black finish, "blinking eye", and large Selmer logo. On later Thunderbird 30's. twin EL34's were used instead of the much more expensive KT88's.
The control panel was updated to include bass and treble controls for each channel (rather than just "tone") and an extra reverb control. But again, as this is one of the most sought-after Selmer amplifiers, here is the full catalogue description. (It's actually almost identical to the description of the Selectortone Twin in previous catalogues).

"New Thunderbird Twin 30, with built-in Tremelo and Reverberation (incorporating Hammond Reverberation Unit)
Based upon the extremely successful and well-proven Automatic Selector-tone amplifier, this new Twin 30 has additionally an exciting new Reverberation effect, two heavy-duty 12" loudspeakers and a more powerful amplifier. The exclusive push-button Tone-Selector gives instantaneous changes of response in five degrees from high treble to low bass.. A chosen effect can thus be easily repeated without fumbling with controls. Reverberation and Tremelo effects are individually controlled and may be separately switched on and off from a remote position by means of the double button foot-switch. Fitted with socket for extension speaker.

Specification
Two channel amplifier with two high impedance sockets per channel. Channel 1 is a conventional amplifier with usual volume and tone controls. Channel 2 has the push-button Tone-Selector and Tremelo facility. Speed and Depth of Tremelo are adjustable over a wide range and the tremelo effect is instantly switched on or off by one of the two buttons on the foot-switch. Exclusive Selmer "Blinking Eye" (Patent applied for) gives visual indication of tremelo speed. Reverberation effect operates over both channels and it's intensity is adjustable from zero to maximum. The reverberation effect may also be switched on and off by means of the second button on the foot-switch.
Two heavy-duty 12" loudspeakers. AC mains only 200/250 volts 50/60 cycles. Valve complement EF86 (2), ECC83 (3), ECC81 (1), KT88 (2), GZ34 (1). Output ratings 30 watts (British), 60 watts (American). Case dimensions : Width 30", Height 21", Depth 10.1/2".
Case attractively finished in two-tone crocodile material. Fitted with rubber-tyred castors to facilitate transport. 120 gns, including attractive water-proof case."
THUNDERBIRD TWIN 50

As with the Zodiac, the Thunderbird 30 was soon supplemented by a 50 watt version, probably in mid-1964 shortly after the Zodiac Twin 50 introduction. However, in the new Thunderbird's case, a change in valve compliment was made from that in the 30 watt version. Instead of the Twin Selectortone/Thunderbird 30's twin KT88 power valves, two EL34's were used as in the Automatic Selectortone/Zodiac models, with grid-biasing. The full valve complement of the Thunderbird Twin 50 is therefore: 2 x EL34: 2 x EC81: 1 x ECC82: 3 x ECC83: 1 x 6BR8: 1 x EM84: plus a GZ34 rectifier valve. Again, as with the new Zodiac 50, two ceramic-magnet Goodman's 12" speakers were fitted.
All this did not come cheap however. The price for a T/Bird Twin 50 in September 1964 was 135gns!

Zodiac and Thunderbird Speakers:
Evidence strongly suggests that early 30W versions had Celestion alnico-magnet T731 speakers in "oyster-hammer" (silver/gold) colour. These were a version of the famous Vox "blue" speakers found in AC30's of the era, without the magnet cover. The 50W (and the later 30W) versions had ceramic-magnet Goodmans speakers with grey Selmer-logo plastic magnet-covers, and it is likely that the upgrade to 50W was made when these (then) high-power speakers became available. Unfortunately both versions were somewhat notorious for blowing speakers, and many are now found with later Celestion "greenback" ceramic-magnet speakers, which are almost certainly non-original as they did not become available until 1966. (Thanks to Ted Breaux for the research).

AMPLIFIER HEADS

THE BASSMASTER 50

The Bassmaster head and matching speaker cabinet outfit seems to have been introduced in 30 watt guise with a blue/grey finish. The croc skin version probably started out at 30 watts, but, just as the Zodiac, was up-rated fairly soon to 50 watts. However, most examples that have survived to the present day seem to be the croc-skin version with the up-rated 50 watts output. (Probably 50 watts of raw power would have seemed excessive to most groups prior to 1965 anyway!) Despite it's name it sounds good for both guitar and bass, and was probably intended for use with guitar through the normal channel and a bass plugged into the bass channel.
Size 21" x 8.1/2" x 8". Croc-skin covering to the top and base, black vinyl to the sides. Plastic strap handle and two Vox-style brass vents on top. Control panel has pilot light, on/off switch, and 2 inputs per channel each with volume, treble and bass controls. Rear of chassis holds fuse, voltage selector, power lead and output jack to speaker.

Valves ECC83 (4), EL34 (2), GZ34 (1).

The size of the matching cab was about 30" x 24" x 12" and this held a pair of 12" speakers.
THE TREBLE AND BASS 50

The T'n'B 50 would appear to be physically identical to the Bassmaster 50 apart from the model designation on the front panel, and very similar inside with the same valve line-up of ECC83 (initially 4 - but 3 in later models), EL34 (2) & GZ34 (1). Both appear to be multi-purpose amplifiers suitable for bass and/or guitar. The Bassmaster was the earlier of the two models (introduced during the Blue/Grey Period). The T'n'B was introduced in 1964 and both were produced in tandem for a short time until the Bassmaster was dropped from the range in favour of the T'n'B, which became one of the most popular Selmer models judging by the numbers still to be found today.

A TnB 50 has recently been found in a novel role; as a PA system for a church in Manchester. The speaker columns used with the amplifier are the original Selmer TV/4/8 units, and hence it would seem likely that the TnB was Selmer's recommended PA amplifier prior to the introduction of the dedicated PA amps such as the PA 50. Click HERE to have a look at the church's system. (Thanks to Peter Ratcliffe for finding us this.)

SPEAKER CABINETS AND COLUMNS:

Picture courtesy of Steve Rowley, Staffs, England.

Proceed to THE BLACK PERIOD (1966 - 70)

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