Titano Tube Amplifier, made by Audio Guild Corporation (1970)
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Titano Model Tube Amplifier, made by Audio Guild Corporation (1970), made in Van Nuys, California, serial # 4241, black tolex covering finish.
"TITANO" is splashed in huge letters across the face of this amplifier. It sounds like some robot compatriot of Gigantor or Tobor the 8Th Man, but is simply one of the many licensed brands built under subcontracted by Magnatone then later Audio Guild. After leaving the fading Magnatone company in the 1960s, chief engineer Don Bonham went on to work for the Audio Guild Corporation, taking some clients with him. These "Titano" amps featured the same pitch-shifting vibrato circuit that made Magnatone amps famous. Similar amps were also issued under the "Versatone" brand and have long been favorites among some recording bassists, who prize the tight response of the tuned cabinet. These have been employed by some notable artists including Carol Kaye, Jack Casady and more recently Pino Palladino.
This is the accordion/guitar version of the amp featuring vibrato and spring reverb; the bass model was a more stripped down version without the onboard effects. The metal front-facing control panel features two independent channels, each with their respective input as well as a dual input, assignable to either of the two channels. Channel one has a volume, treble and bass controls, whereas channel two has volume and tone. Following are intensity and speed for the vibrato and "duration" (level) for the spring reverb.
The amp sports a tube compliment of 2x 12AX7 and 1x 6BH8 preamp tubes and two 7591 power tubes (the tube chart in the amp does not match the compliment, or even the layout!), yielding approximately 20 watts into a single 12" speaker, seated in a neatly designed tuned closed back cabinet section. The black tolex-covered cabinet design is reminiscent of earlier Magnatone designs with a sparkly black grille cloth and that big bold "Titano" logo on the front metal panel. This is not a loud amp, but a very toneful one if a cleaner, tighter low end response is desired.
Height is 23 1/2 in. (59.7 cm.), 21 1/2 in. (54.6 cm.) width, and 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm.) deep.
Cosmetically, this amp is nicely preserved for its age. The fairly thin black tolex covering is showing some wear, particularly around the edges. There are several ancient thumb tacks pinning in the corners above the control panel, added long ago. The control panel itself is clean overall with moderate signs of scuffing throughout, but all the lettering remains intact. The metal front panel featuring the brand logo shows a handful of dings. The grille cloth is taut and clean with no signs of tearing or fraying and the handle is original as well.
Electrically, this amp is all original. The speaker is the original 12" Utah dating to the 30th week of 1970. Both the Electrical Windings-made power and output transformers are original and bear the code 682-005 and 682-002, dating them to the 5th and 2nd week of 1970, respectively. The amp has received our typical maintenance and servicing, including replacement of all electrolytic capacitors, cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks, a grounded 3-prong power cord and power tubes biased to spec.
This amp has a big and bold clean tone that turns in to a very nice mild overdrive tone as its pushed. The tuned cabinet sounds tight and punchy and is excellent for bass or lower-range instruments. With the fantastic Magnatone-style vibrato and reverb, this would be truly the ideal compliment for a baritone or six-string bass guitar, offering a combination of sounds few other amps can match! Excellent - Condition.
"TITANO" is splashed in huge letters across the face of this amplifier. It sounds like some robot compatriot of Gigantor or Tobor the 8Th Man, but is simply one of the many licensed brands built under subcontracted by Magnatone then later Audio Guild. After leaving the fading Magnatone company in the 1960s, chief engineer Don Bonham went on to work for the Audio Guild Corporation, taking some clients with him. These "Titano" amps featured the same pitch-shifting vibrato circuit that made Magnatone amps famous. Similar amps were also issued under the "Versatone" brand and have long been favorites among some recording bassists, who prize the tight response of the tuned cabinet. These have been employed by some notable artists including Carol Kaye, Jack Casady and more recently Pino Palladino.
This is the accordion/guitar version of the amp featuring vibrato and spring reverb; the bass model was a more stripped down version without the onboard effects. The metal front-facing control panel features two independent channels, each with their respective input as well as a dual input, assignable to either of the two channels. Channel one has a volume, treble and bass controls, whereas channel two has volume and tone. Following are intensity and speed for the vibrato and "duration" (level) for the spring reverb.
The amp sports a tube compliment of 2x 12AX7 and 1x 6BH8 preamp tubes and two 7591 power tubes (the tube chart in the amp does not match the compliment, or even the layout!), yielding approximately 20 watts into a single 12" speaker, seated in a neatly designed tuned closed back cabinet section. The black tolex-covered cabinet design is reminiscent of earlier Magnatone designs with a sparkly black grille cloth and that big bold "Titano" logo on the front metal panel. This is not a loud amp, but a very toneful one if a cleaner, tighter low end response is desired.
Height is 23 1/2 in. (59.7 cm.), 21 1/2 in. (54.6 cm.) width, and 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm.) deep.
Cosmetically, this amp is nicely preserved for its age. The fairly thin black tolex covering is showing some wear, particularly around the edges. There are several ancient thumb tacks pinning in the corners above the control panel, added long ago. The control panel itself is clean overall with moderate signs of scuffing throughout, but all the lettering remains intact. The metal front panel featuring the brand logo shows a handful of dings. The grille cloth is taut and clean with no signs of tearing or fraying and the handle is original as well.
Electrically, this amp is all original. The speaker is the original 12" Utah dating to the 30th week of 1970. Both the Electrical Windings-made power and output transformers are original and bear the code 682-005 and 682-002, dating them to the 5th and 2nd week of 1970, respectively. The amp has received our typical maintenance and servicing, including replacement of all electrolytic capacitors, cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks, a grounded 3-prong power cord and power tubes biased to spec.
This amp has a big and bold clean tone that turns in to a very nice mild overdrive tone as its pushed. The tuned cabinet sounds tight and punchy and is excellent for bass or lower-range instruments. With the fantastic Magnatone-style vibrato and reverb, this would be truly the ideal compliment for a baritone or six-string bass guitar, offering a combination of sounds few other amps can match! Excellent - Condition.