Groove Tube Solo 150 "Red Rhoads" amp?

[Tommy Detamore]

I stumbled upon this amp in LA last week. It is reported to be, by all that I the info have been able to gather so far, one of Red's amps that he made for himself. The model is a "Solo", not a "Soul-O" as they came to be known as. They no longer make the 150 watt version, as I suppose it may have been too much power for most guitar players. It has four 6550 tubes and a 15" BW speaker. I didn't play steel through it, but with a guitar it sounded fabulous. It has many cool features: Class A or AB operation, choice of power tubes (6550,6L6, EL34, etc). Rack-mounted triple-chrome plated chassis with an empty space at the top of the cab for your favorite effects box. Point-to-point wiring. Two-speed fan. Effects loop with a mix control that allows you to keep your direct signal pure and blend in the effects to taste. (Isn't this the way all amps should be?). Two complete channels, with the capabilty to blend the two to any degree. Aside from being a nice amp, the fact that it might have been Red's holds special meaning for me, as he was one of my very early influences on steel. (Willis Alan Ramsey album). I regret that I never met the man as I know a lot of you did. I would appreciate any comments, experiences, etc. with regard to this amp and Red. Needless to say the amp is on it's way to Texas, and I'll be happy to report any experiences with it if anybody is interested.

There is a head-only version on eBay at the moment:
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1511641126&r=0&t=0&showTutorial=0&ed=1013481923&indexURL=0&rd=1

[Olli Haavisto]

Strange coincidence,Tommy!
I received the Willis Allan Ramsey CD today from Amazon and was about write how good it sounds.It was favorite of mine in the 70`s and lost it somewhere. I ordered it when I found out it had been re-released on CD.A really great album, as good as I remembered!!
I have played guitar through the Soul-O 45 and 75 amps and I think they are superb clean tube amps! The 150 version should be awesome with PSG!

------------------
Olli Haavisto
Polar steeler
Finland


<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Olli Haavisto on 11 February 2002 at 10:03 AM.]</p></FONT>

[chas smith R.I.P.]

I can barely express how envious I am. I had a Red Rhodes Blackface Twin that was stolen somewhere in Las Vegas a few years back. I bought my first two steel guitars and 10 string Dobro from him when he had his shop on Cahuenga. I don't think he has recieved as much credit as he deserves.

[Michael Holland]

Didn't get its opening bid of $999.