Vintage Ampeg R-12-R Reverberocket - USA 1962

The Ampeg Reverberocket occupies a fascinating place in the history of American guitar amplification. Introduced in 1961, it arrived at a time when Fender, Gibson and Ampeg were each taking distinctly different approaches to amplifier design. Ampeg founder Everett Hull came from the world of bass, jazz and professional musicians, favouring clean, full sounding amplification, while the Reverberocket brought together that classic Ampeg character with onboard spring reverb and tremolo in a compact combo.

This 1962 R-12-R is fitted with a pair of 6V6 output valves, giving it the warm, full character and natural breakup that makes these early Reverberockets such enjoyable amplifiers to play. The reverb is a particularly important part of the design. Ampeg called it "Echo", with the amount controlled by the wonderfully named Dimension control. Together with the onboard tremolo, it gives the amp a distinctive sound that sits apart from the Fender and Gibson amplifiers being produced during the same period.

There is also an interesting connection to one of the great names in boutique amplifier history. Ken Fischer worked at Ampeg in Linden, New Jersey before later founding Trainwreck Circuits and becoming one of the most celebrated amplifier designers of his generation. His beginnings at Ampeg place these early amplifiers within an important period of American valve amplifier development.

More than sixty years later, the R-12-R remains a wonderfully distinctive amplifier. Between its 6V6 power section, octal valve preamp, original Jensen speaker, spring reverb and tremolo, original footswitch, it has a character all its own and represents a particularly interesting piece of early 1960s Ampeg history.

Comes with non-original protective cover.

Specifications:

Model: Ampeg R-12-R Reverberocket
Year: 1962
Configuration: 1 × 12" Valve Combo
Output: 15 Watts Clean Output
Power Valves: 2 × 6V6
Preamp / Effects Valves: 3 × 6SL7, 1 × 6SN7
Rectifier: 1 × 5Y3
Speaker: 1 × 12" Jensen
Speaker Impedance: 8 Ohms
Inputs: 3
Controls: Volume, Tone, Dimension, Tremolo Speed, Tremolo Intensity
Effects: Built-in Spring Reverb and Tremolo
Footswitch: Dual Footswitch for Reverb and Tremolo
Cabinet: Locked-Corner Plywood Construction
Dimensions: 18" W × 20 1/2" H × 10 1/2" D
Weight: 30 lbs / 13.6kg
Made In: Linden, New Jersey, USA