So I've covered guitars, I've covered pedals, for this installment of Guitarsenal, it's time to crank those amps up to 11 starting with...
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| Jimmy Page's modified Supro 1690T Coronado |
"I was using the Supro amp for the first album and still do. The "Stairway To Heaven" solo was done when I pulled out the Telecaster, which I hadn't used for a long time, plugged it into the Supro, and away it went again."
Identifying Jimmy's exact model of Supro amplifier that he used on the early Led Zeppelin albums, and for "Stairway to Heaven" has become a minor sort of controversy with practically everyone who owns a vintage Supro claiming that the model they own is the one Page used. Much of the controversy can be attributed to Page himself who has been pretty vague in terms of identifying the specific amp when asked only being specific enough to say it was a "
small Supro with a 12 inch speaker". Page is believed to have bought his Supro in 1961 or 1962 with guitarist and friend Albert Lee.
At the time of purchase, there was only one model of Supro amplifier that came stock with a 12" speaker, and that was the 1624T, but this is not believed to have been the amplifier Jimmy purchased and used for those sessions. Another candidate is the Supro Thunderbolt, but as this was a rather large amp that came with a 15" speaker, it doesn't exactly fit the profile of the small Supro Jimmy described using. The best candidate for Jimmy's mystery Supro is the 1690T Coronado.
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| Ad for the Coronado |
The Coronado came stock with two 10" speakers but is believed that Jimmy removed them in exchange for a single 12" speaker. The amp was equipped with 6L6 tubes, and Jimmy made further modifications to it by adding an additional switch to add a tremolo effect. Replacing the two 10" speakers with a single 12'' would of course impact. what sort of sound came out of the amp. Imagine a speaker that was registered to take 15 watts of power, taking on roughly 24 watts, pounding the cone and distorting the sound significantly. For those looking for any sort of secret magical key to obtaining Jimmy's tone, this is about as close as you can hope to get to finding one.
Of course the best evidence that this was indeed the amp was due to the fact that Jimmy Page loaned it to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and number of years ago, and it was listed as such, which is as close to a verification we can hope to get. Did you really expect Jimmy to reveal all his secrets to us?
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| Jimmy with his Supro (on the left) |
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ReplyDeleteThe picture is real and authentic. It was taken at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. I respect your opinion, but going on the facts I've come across I'm inclined to state that the Supro used by Jimmy is a 1690T Coronado.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoy the site, and hope you keep reading!
I will keep reading, I think you are on a great path and I enjoy the effort you put into it.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm sorry I meant the photo you have with Jimmy Standing next to what looks like the photo of the 1690T. I've scene that exact photo with him next to a Fender where the Supro is. Happy to send it to you. Posting a known fake of the Hall of Fame Coronado sort of undermines your theory.
I own a Supro amp with the exact circuit as the 1690T and have a big speaker in it. I also own a 6973 based Supro with a 12" and I own a 5 watt Supro Super. After reading a million threads I just used my ears, tonebender and tele to tell me and its the 6973 for the first album and the Supro Super for Stairway. That's my conclusion. But I'm glad I also own the Coronado circuit cause it sounds great too.
Where did you get the the photo "Jimmy with his Supro (on the left)"? Was it at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
ReplyDeleteDo you know that it's a retouched photo? It's a fake that was created as a joke. It was posted on a guitar forum - the gear page.
Here is the original photo:
http://www.jimmypage.co.uk/jimmypagefender_dual_showman.jpg
The amp is a Fender - not a Supro.
The Supro amp from the photo "Jimmy Page's modified Supro 1690T Coronado" has been placed into the photo "Jimmy with his Supro (on the left)".
I know. I am the person who created the fake photo.
I can say it was a very simple 1606 1962 year model with a,12 inch speaker added to the cabinet and the on off volume stock know had been replaced with a newer pot with out on and off switch built in. Then a toggle of sorts added far right with a flip cover added to the mix it seems.(not gonna say what the cover came off of as it has been lost or pilfered at some point before I acquired it) At least from the measurement of the mounting holes in that position. . A couple other mods were done to the circuits later. Two Valves were added or where in the process of being added one of one size and one of another. Not saying where they where added. Gotta keep some of 5he secrets. . I got what is left of it in trade for repairs to a badly broken acoustic guitar; to save the amp from the scrap man I plan on restoring it and playing my Les Paul through it. . May not be MR.Pages amp. But a guy can dream . ;) I have attempted contact with MR. PAGE. BUT TO NO AVAIL. So I have to enjoy the wishful story and enjoy the task at hand then enjoy the fruits of my labor in one of the sweetest sounding amps of all time.
ReplyDelete