Amps

 

FIRST OF THE MANY - SELMER/RSA TRUVOICE AMPLIFIERS 1930's TO 1958

 


Photo courtesy of Julian Marsh, Nottinghamshire, England

 



THE STORY OF SELMER AMPLIFIERS - PART 1


In fact, Selmer were producing amplifiers under their own brand name of "Truvoice" from 1935 onwards at Charing Cross Lane, London. Selmer took over the R.S.Amplifiers Ltd company in late-1947, and began marketing a range of PA equipment already being manufactured by RSA, closely followed by combo amps dedicated to single instruments such as the piano accordion and that new upstart....the electric guitar!  RSA were based initially at Reynolds Road, Acton Lane, London W4. All production was very soon consolidated at Charing Cross Road, and the Selmer-Truvoice story had begun!

There is very little information available on these formative years, and very few amplifiers from this era seem to have survived. We have however been contacted by some owners of these rare pieces through this website, and hence are able to feature the following units.

As an aside, an interesting piece of evidence which demonstrates the roots of Selmer's electronics part of the business existed in the catalogues up to the late 1960's. This was a Contact Microphone, which still had the name RSA Truvoice on its casing right up to that time. Presumably, Selmer didn't want to go to the expense of changing the case mould. 

IMPORTANT - During this early period, Selmer Truvoice did not fit mains transformers to their amps, resulting in an inherent safety problem if one's amp has not been modified to prevent possible electrocution. It is strongly recommended that any owner of one of these amps checks out this YOU TUBE VIDEO produced by Nick Adams which very effectively describes the problem in detail and advises on the best way of isolating oneself from the mains current when using such an amp.

Selmer Advertisement from March1952.  

 


 

SELMER-TRUVOICE AMPLIFIER & HAWAIIAN GUITAR OUTFIT (Pre-WW2)

THE SELMER-TRUVOICE "UNIVERSAL 8" COMBINATION AMPLIFIER (1947 to 1950)

A small amp measuring 12" x 15" x 4", and fitted with an 9" speaker. Valves: 1 x KT33C, 1 x U31, 1 x KTZ63 rectifier.

 

THE SELMER-TRUVOICE MODEL "15" COMBINATION AMPLIFIER (1947 to 1952)

Probably a 10 watt combo, and fitted with a 12" speaker. A single volume control and tone control located in a recess on top of the amp. Five unknown valves were fitted to this amp which seems to have been introduced by Selmer just a few months after the Universal 8 at the end of 1947.

SELMER-TRUVOICE MODEL "7" (1950 to 1952)

The replacement for the earlier Universal 8 model. Fitted with a 10" speaker located lower down in a better ventilated cabinet, and with the chassis at the top of the cabinet. Control panel with single volume and tone controls and one input socket at rear of cabinet. Suitable for both AC and DC use.

 

THE SELMER-TRUVOICE TV10 COMBINATION AMPLIFIER (1952 to 1956)

A mid-range model that was based on a 10" speaker. Two input sockets for high and low impedance, each with their own volume control, and a shared tone control. A rather prominent voltage selector which also serves as the on-off switch for the amp! Valves: 1 x ECC83; 1 x 12AX7; 2 x EL84 (?) giving a rated output of 8 watts (peak 10 watts).

 

 

THE SELMER-TRUVOICE TV15 COMBINATION AMPLIFIER (1952 to 1956)

 Three inputs (two high and one low impedance), with a volume control for each input and a single shared tone control. The same type of voltage selector/on-off switch as for the TV10 above. Curious strip-type art deco speaker grill. The valves originally fitted to these amps were 3 x 12AX7; 2 x PL82; 1 x PY82 rectifier, although it can be seen from some of the examples below that these have often been changed over the years. Output of 13 watts through a 12" Goodmans Audiom 60.

 

THE SELMER-TRUVOICE U8 & U16 PA AMPLIFIER & SPEAKER SYSTEM (Pre-WW2)

A PA system that was designed for portability. The amplifier section was stored inside the two speaker cabinets, which themselves clipped together to make one compact unit for transportation. Designed to run on either AC and DC. These RSA-made amps were also marketed by the Dallas company under the Ridgmount trade-name.

 

 

THE SELMER-TRUVOICE U12 PA AMPLIFIER & SPEAKER SYSTEM (1946 to 1958)

A PA outfit that really did stand the test of time. It was introduced soon after the end of World War 2 by its manufacturer R. S. Amplifiers, and continued in production after RSA had been taken over by Selmer London right through to 1958, the time when the guitar groups were beginning to take off in the UK.  

This model is thought to have been used by the Beatles in their very early Quarryman days. It was still in the Selmer catalogue in 1958. The amplifier section was carried inside the two speaker cabinets, which clipped together for easy portability. Output 12 watts (later 15watts). A microphone was also included in the package.

Over the years there seems to have been a two input version ( Valves - 3 x KTZ63; 2 x KT33C; 2 x U31) and a three input version ( Valves - 3 x 12AX7; 2 x PL82; 1 x PY82 rectifier). Versions of this amp included AC, AC/DC, and 12volt DC battery powered.

 

 


 

Truvoice TV8 (Serial No 100401) together with Selmer Lap Steel guitar, purchased new as a pair in 1949 by Billy Smith of County Down, Northern Island. Billy still owns this beautiful old outfit.   

 




Proceed to THE MAROON/GREY PERIOD (c1957 - 1959)


Return to SELMER AMPLIFIERS-MAIN INDEX PAGE