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1970's sears 125-xl amp

Started by LJN, April 16, 2011, 12:12:51 AM

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in what year was the gibson firebird released?

1963
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Total Members Voted: 4

LJN

Hello, I recently recieved an old sears 125-xl slid state amp from my uncle. I've already replaced 4 transistors(no IC's in this old beast), and it sounds awesome. I've been trying to find out all I can about this old half-stack, but I always run into a dead end. The model number is 1423. it has tremolo and a very weak reverb. All I know is they were made from 1970-1972. Can anyone out there tellme anything about this great old amp?,or at least how to install a three prong plug on it?
If it sounds good, USE IT!

Epiphone Les Paul, Kasino U100- P, Sears 125-XL

joecool85

#1
Quote from: LJN on April 16, 2011, 12:12:51 AM
Hello, I recently recieved an old sears 125-xl slid state amp from my uncle. I've already replaced 4 transistors(no IC's in this old beast), and it sounds awesome. I've been trying to find out all I can about this old half-stack, but I always run into a dead end. The model number is 1423. it has tremolo and a very weak reverb. All I know is they were made from 1970-1972. Can anyone out there tellme anything about this great old amp?,or at least how to install a three prong plug on it?

3 prong plug is easy, don't know about the rest.  You will need a new power cord, then run the white and black wires to where they go now and bolt the green wire to the metal chassis.  That's it.

**edit**
Pictures would help, I'd love to see this beast.
Life is what you make it.
Still rockin' the Dean Markley K-20X
thatraymond.com

LJN

Thanks for the advice. I'm sorry to tell you I cant post any pics, I wish I could. I'd love to show this old thing off. Unfortunately, I dont have a web cam or a clue as to how to use one. I can describe it to you, though. it has a slanted control panel that has sort of off white squares where the knobs are, the bare aluminum has some pits in it, I got rid of most of the oxidation with turtle wax rubbing compound(could be a useful thing to remember), the knobs are grey with aluminum center pieces, the casing was built by me(the original was destroyed about ten years ago), and the shaft on channel one's vol. is broken(but I have the knob). the amp is not much to look at but it's a tone monster! the speakers have also been changed. one is a celestion g-12 30, and the other is a jenson loudspeaker with 6969 printed on the edge. I use this amp almost every day, unless a thunderstorm is approaching(haha)  the original cord is intact all except for a spot where it was nicked, I taped that though. If I ever find a way to do it, I will try to post some good pics of it. thanks alot :)
If it sounds good, USE IT!

Epiphone Les Paul, Kasino U100- P, Sears 125-XL

J M Fahey

Well, maybe somebody you know has a digital camera.
They are getting real popular these days. ;)

LJN

I'm not sure.The people I know usually dont use digital cameras that I'm aware of, I live in one of those types of places, in the mountains.
If it sounds good, USE IT!

Epiphone Les Paul, Kasino U100- P, Sears 125-XL

J M Fahey

I imagined something like that.
Oh well. :lmao:
I hope at least you have access to plenty of good moonshine. ;)

LJN

#6
no, not really. But I have 2 other amps(A 1976 peavey 260 H PA head, and a starcaster 15 G),And I can play as loud as I want. :tu:
If it sounds good, USE IT!

Epiphone Les Paul, Kasino U100- P, Sears 125-XL

LJN

#7
If you all still want to see a picture of the old sears 125 xl, there's one like it on google images. It's the one with 10 knobs on it. If you get the chance, check it out. It was for sale on proxybid.com, and it sold for $100. Sure wish I could've bought it.  the reverb isn't too great, but these amps,In my opinion, get great tones for blues, hard rock, psychadelia, and with mine, I can get very close to an early led zeppilin tone. Of course if you're into a mellow sound, or a heavy metal sound, this is not the amp for you. they are very sensitive to feedback, and they get a ton of mid range. the picture should be in the top left corner, or somewhere thereabout. that's the closest thing to a picture of my amp I can possibly give you. these things are rare and unique. so check it out. If you can find one, and you're into vintage tone, get it! They're really great. 8)
If it sounds good, USE IT!

Epiphone Les Paul, Kasino U100- P, Sears 125-XL

teemuk

#8
There was also a Silvertone 125-XL which had the same chassis but nine sliders instead of ten rotary potentiometers.
Sears:

Silvertone:

J M Fahey

It looks now you have to be registered at imageshack too to see the images.
Oh well.

joecool85

Quote from: J M Fahey on April 18, 2011, 11:10:06 AM
It looks now you have to be registered at imageshack too to see the images.
Oh well.

They load fine for me and I don't have an imageshack account.
Life is what you make it.
Still rockin' the Dean Markley K-20X
thatraymond.com

LJN

#11
Yeah, That's the amp. I finally put the three prong plug on mine today. Seems like it changed the tone a little, could just be me, though. Anyway, Mine's not quite as nice as the one in the picture, I repainted the control panel by hand, and right next to the reverb and tremolo knobs, I painted my initials and a peace symbol. The covering on mine was brown, but it's still the same amp. that was the closest thing to a picture of mine I could give you guys. So now you have an idea of what we've been talking about. It's odd looking, but it sure does sound good. It responds quite well to effects too. I like this one a whole lot more than my first silvertone(an early '60's 1481). That thing gave me some shocking expieriences(hehe). Anyway, like I said, if you can find a 125 xl, get it. they really are great.
If it sounds good, USE IT!

Epiphone Les Paul, Kasino U100- P, Sears 125-XL

LJN

#12
I'd like to add that my uncle told me that he thought the output on the anp was 50 watts. I just remembered that. I'd say that sounds about right. It seems louder now that I've put the three prong cord on it. It's not a small amp. It's heavy and about 3 feet tall, give or take 4 or 5 inches. I sure wish I could find out more about this old beast though. Any one out there know a way I could makr the reverb stronger?
If it sounds good, USE IT!

Epiphone Les Paul, Kasino U100- P, Sears 125-XL

LJN

I'd like to add that the reverb is supposedly some kind of wierd piezo type unit. it works, but it's very weak. Is there any way to modify the old beast to accept a more convetional(better) reverb tank? If so, how difficult might that be?
If it sounds good, USE IT!

Epiphone Les Paul, Kasino U100- P, Sears 125-XL

joecool85

Without seeing a schematic I have no idea how to make the reverb stronger.  Even if you gave us some "guts shots" that could help.
Life is what you make it.
Still rockin' the Dean Markley K-20X
thatraymond.com