Amps

END OF THE LINE - SELMER SOLID STATE AMPLIFIERS IN THE LATE 1960's AND 70's

Our knowledge of Selmer's transistor based amplification is pretty sparse. Solid-state technology appears to have been introduced into the Selmer range around about 1966, with the introduction of the Saturn 60 Amp. Problems with reliability on the earlier models, together with the inevitable performance comparisons with valve amps led to the Selmer solid-state gear not being very successful. Perhaps this is why very few Selmer "Trannies" are around to-day.

COMBINATION AMPLIFIERS

• MERCURY 5 COMBO AMPLIFIER
  The replacement for the valve powered Little Giant, with 5 watts output through an 8" speaker. Two inputs were available, each with a separate volume control, but with a common tone control. A tremolo equipped variant was also available for a further 4 guineas. This little practice amp seems to have only been produced between 1968 and 1969 during the Black/Silver Period.
  
  
• SELMER SS15 COMBO AMPLIFIER
  A simple solid state 15 watt amp, fitted with an elliptical speaker. Single volume and tone control, plus two input sockets. Initially introduced in 1970/71 with blue control panel. Later versions still in production during the Norlin period (post 1974), although with revised electronics. First version was designed by Selmer's John Lawrence.
  
  
• SELMER SS30 COMBO AMPLIFIER
  A 30 watt output amp, equipped with two 12" speakers. Two non-switchable channels, with simple volume, bass and treble controls. Reverb fitted to second channel. Produced in the 1970's.
  
  
• SELMER SATURN 60 REVERB COMBO AMPLIFIER
  60 watt power output, through 2 x 12" speakers. Two channels with two inputs per channel. Both tremolo and reverberation controlled individually on each channel. The amp was equipped with a chrome swivel-back stand, fitted with castors. Introduced to the Selmer range in September 1966 as the  blue/black Taurus 60 (without swivel-back stand), it changed its appearance, and its name to Saturn 60, in September 1968 during the black/silver period. The Saturn had disappeared by 1970.
  
  
• SELMER TAURUS 60 COMBO
  Selmer's introduction in Solid State amps. See above.

AMPLIFIER HEADS & PA EQUIPMENT

• SELMER "LEAD AND BASS" 100
  This head unit was presumably intended to take over from the old valve driven Treble and Bass. Probably best to let the 1974 catalogue entry speak for itself - "A new solid state amplifier developed with working groups road managers in mind. May be switched from lead to bass on either channel. With a lead cabinet can be used for the whole range necessary for lead or rhythm guitar, and with a bass cabinet provides all the depth and tone required. Illuminated front panel. Two inputs for each channel, including... independent treble, bass, middle, presence, volume, reverb. Rear socket for external echo".
  Two types of speaker cabinet were available for use with this amp. A Lead Cabinet was fitted with 4 x 12" speakers. (Perhaps a touch of the Marshalls here!). The Bass cabinet was equipped with a single 18" unit, and was fibre glass lined internally. The catalogue states that this cabinet had been developed from the Goliath cabinet, which it presumably now replaced.
  
  
• SELMER PA 100 (No 7920)
  A solid-state alternative to the valve driven SV unit appeared in 1974. Certainly, for a year or so, the two alternatives seem to have been produced in parallel. Interestingly, in 1974, the solid state version was much more expensive at £188 than the valve SV model at a bargain £109.50!
  100 watts output, with six channels each equipped with volume, treble and bass controls. A single reverb depth control was fitted, acting on all channels, as was a master volume.
  
  
• SELMER PA 100
  A later model to the above unit, this was probably the last PA 100 model produced before Selmer's demise

• .SELMER BASS 100
  After Selmer had been taken over by Norlin, it would appear that all production was finally changed to solid state. An Equipment List found in the back of "Beat" Magazine from August 1979 lists solid state 100 and 200Watt bass heads, together with a selection of  S.S. combos and speaker cabinets. We spotted this particular Bass 100 amp in an Ebay auction and obtained permission to show the seller's photo on this website. We assume that it is the 100 Watt bass head featured in the 1979 Equipment List at a price of £367.20.