Close-up #29: 1950 Kent Amplifier
SN 2308 (or Asta Amplifier?)
These amplifier pictures I saved from an online auction listing some time ago. But what is it? There are no markings of a brand, manufacturer or model anywhere to be seen. However the distictive grille cutout looking like a letter "E" rings a bell: Epiphone used this kind of "slashed C" style "E" logo since the late 1930s. Another details pointing to Epiphone is the carrying handle – identical to those used on Zephyr and Century amplifiers.
On the back there is a hard-to-see serial number stamped into the chassis: "2308", in vertically arranged digits. We know of a few other examples of this amp model, all with SNs in the 2000s range.
The view with removed back panel shows the amp chassis with tubes, transformer, etc., and the 10" speaker which bears an EIA code "328012" – i.e. made by Utah Electronics in 1950.
We looked through all known Epiphone catalogues and did not find any picture of an amplifier model looking like this one. The 1949 catalog featured a new "Kent" amplifier model which matches some of the features of this amp – 10" speaker, 2 inputs, volume control only. It was a low-end model, priced $54. However, the picture showed a rather different grille design (see below).
In the price list dated July 15, 1950, the Kent amplifier had already disappeared – but a new model was included – the "Asta Amplifier".
At $95, the "Asta" was still the lowest priced Epiphone amp model – however extremely short-lived: In the list of November 15, 1950, the Asta was already gone. So one wonders if any were built at all ...
Now the big question: What model is this unknown amplifier featured here really? Is it the "Kent" – in a cabinet design different from the catalog picture? Or could it be the mysterious "Asta" model? We can only speculate at this point – although we tend to favor the "Kent" variant. Maybe one day some clarifying information – like an example with sales documents – will surface ...
Let's have a look at the electronics – there are 4 tubes: 2 Electro Harmonix 6V6GT beam power tubes, one Tung-Sol 6SL7GT preamp tube, plus an unknown tube which must be a rectifier I guess.
Like most vintage amps this one had to be checked and repaired by an amp technician. It is good practice to keep the repair documents with the item (as here) – to show what exact work was done – ...
... and the replaced old parts are also included.
(Dec 20, 2016 – with later updates)