Teisco Checkmate 100 all tube head???

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 25 Jun 2006 9:31 am

My brother-in -aw found one in his attic while cleaning out/moving. It is on the way to me for just freight! I plan to restore it. All I know is it is 100 watts, 2 channel, reverb and 12 tubes.

Anyone know anything about it? Possibly a schematic or manual? Any input greatly appreciated!

Bob Martin · Post by **Bob Martin** » 25 Jun 2006 9:36 am

I used to have a small Teisco amp back in 72 and it had a head and a 10 inch speaker cab. It was tiny and not very powerful but just right for practicing with my Jaguar sea foam green yuck! But I wish I still had it.

Bob

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 25 Jun 2006 10:15 am

Coupla smaller Teiscos here: http://www.schematicheaven.com/bargainbin.htm

Maybe some of the schemos will extrapolate to your 100 watter.

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 25 Jun 2006 11:53 am

Yes, I saw those schemtaics earlier today. hopefully it will be along those lines. I will post more when I get the amp. The only review I read compared it to a Twin Reverb. Perhaps it will be a keeper!

James Quackenbush · Post by **James Quackenbush** » 26 Jun 2006 7:31 am

Ken,
You might want to look into schematics for the early Silvertone amps....Teisco made amps for Silvertone back in the day ..It might be the same shcematic as the 100 watt Silvertone head ???.....I hope all is well .....Sincerely, Jim

ajm · Post by **ajm** » 26 Jun 2006 11:27 am

I could be wrong, but I think that Guitar Player magazine featured one as a "pawn shop prize" article in the last couple of years. You could write to them.

------------------
Artie McEwan

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 26 Jun 2006 7:27 pm

The Checkmate is not the same as the Silvertone. I have a schematic for the Checkmate somewhere, but it would take me a month to find it!

It's not a bad amp at all. The pots and jacks are junk an should be changed asap, it WILL need a cap job immediately if it hasn't ben done, and look a the tube sockets for smokestains..signs of arcing. If you see any, replace the sockets.

The reverb is the really weak point, and while you might try a 3-spring acutronics tank I seem to recall some compatibility problems. If I can find the schematic I'll check.

Overall, the transformers are decent, the layout pretty good and through a decent cabinet they sound excellent. Teisco used Pioneer 15's in their bigger Checkmate cabs - I had a 2x15 I used with a *Marshall* JCM800 100-watt head that would crack concrete walls...

The Teiscos actually remind me more of Ampeg V4's and VT22's in tone than Twins, except for the so-called reverb...<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Jim Sliff on 26 June 2006 at 08:28 PM.]</p></FONT>

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 27 Jun 2006 6:36 am

Thanks for the tips, Jim! I will take a look at all that and get this baby up to par. I keep a good stock of Switchcraft jacks and CTS pots. Sounds like good advice. With a a little TLC it could be a sweetie. Looks like it will be shipping to me this week from Washington State. Another fun project ahead!

If you find a schematic along the way I would love to get a scan. I would also contribute it and photos to the Teisco website I found.