Benson Guitar Amp

Roger Shackelton · Post by **Roger Shackelton** » 9 Dec 2001 2:32 pm

In the 1970s the Benson guitar amp. was being built in the Portland, Oregon area. It had a 12 inch speaker and was rated at about 100 watts. Did anyone try this amp for steel guitar?

Howard Roberts, the famous Jazz Guitarist used one.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 10 Dec 2001 8:37 pm

These amps are rare birds! They were made for jazz guitar, and if that's the "sound" you're looking for, they have ample features. I believe they only made a few models, and only for a few years. I can't say for sure about the dates, but it was somewhere in the early '70s. They were tube amps, and used some solid state devices for effects circuits. I've never played through one, and never heard of anyone else using one for steel either. I suspect they might be a little too "warm" for steel for most steel tastes.

Are you planning on buying one?

Roger Shackelton · Post by **Roger Shackelton** » 12 Dec 2001 3:21 am

Hi Donny,

I had considered buying one in the early 70s, due to the compact size and weight. At the time a $400+ price for an amp was not in my budget.
I was just curious to know if anyone had tried one for PSG.

Roger