Vintage Polytone 102 Guitar Amplifier Jazz/Rock, 2 Chanels, Black Velvet Covered

Vintage Polytone Model 102 Guitar Amplifier Jazz/Rock, 2 Channels, Black Velvet Covered. This is one of the highly prized vintage jazz amps from the 70's.

Polytone was instrumental in defining the jazz sound of the 70's and 80's with greats like Joe Pass. There are many videos of Joe using various Polytone amps. Show up at a jazz gig with this amp and you are sure to draw attention. It will serve equally as well for rock. I tried out the onboard gain and it is great. The bright/mid/dark selector adds some insane tonal variations. Amp features 180 watts of power. 2 channels, each with a bright/mid/dark selector and a hi & low input. Channel 1 can be played clean or with the effects. Channel 2 is always a clean channel with no effects. Speakers are 1-12" and 2-8".

Please use the zoom function to closely examine the pictures as they are an integral part of the description. Below is the entire text of what came with the amp as the user manual. It explains the functions of the amp better than I could ever do. Polytone Model 102 Manual Text.

Introducing Polytone's NEW'HARMONIC DIVIDER. The'Harmonic Divider', as a new creation from Polytone is an entirely new way of manipulating the sound of your instrument. The name'Harmonic Divider' is derived directly from what the unit does; it divides the fundamental tones of an instrument from the harmonics or overtones of an instrument. When in use, the'Harmonic Divider' has several modes of operation, creating a number of interesting effects, as follows. The Mono/Stereo switch is the first function of the Harmonic Divider. In the Mono mode, the Harmonic Divider is switched out of action entirely, and the amplifier will function in a normal manner. In the Stereo mode, the Harmonic Divider is switched into action, and proceeds to divide the harmonics of an instrument from the fundamental tones.

They are then "re-assembled" within the amplifier and also acoustically in the room in a manner which adds to the richness of tone of an instrument. A comment from musicians who have played through the Harmonic Divider is that enhances the "playability" of their instrument. In order for the following functions of the Harmonic Divider to operate, the amplifier must be in the Stereo mode. For instance, with the the Bass footswitch on (lamp on) the fundamental tones will play, likewise, with the Treble footswitch on (lamp on) the overtones of the instrument will be heard. The footswitches can be used to create many new and interesting effects.

Basically, you now have the capability of radically altering the sound of your instrument by means of a footswitch, instantly, while you are play- ing, without twiddling with knobs or dials. AUTOMATIC MODE: Again, with the amplifier in the Stereo mode, and with the Bass and Treble footswitches both on (lamps lit), rotate the Harmonic Divider Clock control slowly to the right.

As soon as the switch in the control clicks on, you are in the Automatic mode, and immediately, the fundamental tones, and harmonic overtones of your instrument will begin to weave in and out of the sound you hear in various combinations of a four count pattern. As you continue to turn the control to the right, the clock speed will Increase, and the rhythm of the Harmonic Divider effect will speed up. At very slow to medium clock speeds, you can play along with the Harmonic Divider in a rhythmic fashion, and by playing a lead line in the upper register of your instrument, and an accompanying line in the lower registers of your instrument, the effect of two instruments sounding can be obtained. The division between upper and lower registers for this purpose occurs around middle'A' on the musical scale.

At faster clock speeds (turn control further to the right), the Harmonic Divider creates a Doppler-like pitch/volume phase shift which can be used for vibrato, tremolo and other effects. A typical doppler effect can be achieved by setting the clock control at'8' on the dial.

If either the Bass or Treble footswitches are switched off (lamp off), either the fundamental tones, or the harmonic overtones will lock on steady, and the remaining tones will pulse off and on, giving a reiteration effect which can be used for percussive or rhythmic effects which change as the player moves up and down the musical scale. The particular sound the Harmonic Divider will produce is also dependent upon the chord structure that is being played at a given moment.

In other words, it lives and breathes with the music rather being simply another dull, sterile and boring effect. To provide even greater versatility while performing, the optional Harmonic Divider Speed Pedal can be used to alter the speed of the clock, mentioned above, while you are playing, affording totally hands off control of the effect.

When using the Speed Pedal, the front panel speed control acts to preset the maximum speed of the clock that the pedal will reach. For most purposes, the front panel control is set to maximum speed when using the pedal, permitting the pedal to have the full range of control.

Using the POLYTONE'OCTAVE DIVIDER. Use a stereo footswitch in the OCT/DIV input to sound one, two or both octaves "below" the note being played. PLEASE NOTE: The Octave Divider is not operational without a stereo footswitch. If one is not available, a stereo plug may be put into the jack at the lower back of the cabinet which reads "Octave Divider". This will open up the circuit and make the effect functional. Both octaves will be sounding. To get more highs, rotate the "Octave Filter" control to the right - range from 0 to 10 allows a variety of high frequency response from subtle to predominant. The Octave Divider will perform much better if you take all highs off of your instrument.

The Distortion/Sustain and Reverb effects may now be remotely controlled with a footswitch. Located on channel 1, this double duty volume knob allows you to distort and sustain or play that pure, clean Polytone sound and even mix distorted and clean sounds together.

SOFT TOUCH' - To clean the tough and resilient'Soft Touch' covering, you need only to wipe with a piece of foam rubber. This item is in the category "Musical Instruments & Gear\Guitars & Basses\Guitar Amplifiers". The seller is "dmhuff39" and is located in this country: US.

This item can be shipped to United States.

Number of Channels: 2
Number of Speakers: 3
Model: Polytone 102
Product Line: Polytone
Amplifier Technology: Solid State
Power: 180 W
Amplifier Type: Combo
Brand: Polytone
Suitable For: Acoustic Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar