When I first purchased a 1960s vintage Vadis 250R amp, I was about to experience what I think is one of Australia's best-kept vintage amp secrets. That amp has since gone to Tony in Queensland, who must by any measure now have the best vintage Aussie amp collection anywhere, but when this one surfaced I decided I had to keep it for myself.

I had assumed the 250R was the 'combo' version of the Vadis 601, an amp head that is amongst my favourites of all time. However, it is quite different in many ways, and almost certainly pre-dates the 601. My estimate is a production date in the early 1960s, in Sydney Australia.

While the 601 uses EL34s in the output, this amp uses a pair of 6L6GC valves, which would give around 25 watts output with the valve rectifier and the cathode bias (which many people incorrectly refer to as 'Class A'!). Just like the 601, the amp sounds fantastic. It has come back from a full service and going-over with Glen at Rock Dog Amplifier Repairs, and is an absolute joy to play.

The speaker (original) is a single Sydney-made MSP Hi-Flux 12PQ15 Alnico 12" unit, which sounds glorious. However, I have just fitted a brand new Celestion 'Gold' 15 ohm 12" speaker for slightly higher efficiency and reliability under pressure, and the result is tone heaven! With my '61 Gibson ES-355 through this thing flat out, I challenge ANY blackface Fender Deluxe Reverb to sound better! Spine-chilling stuff.

The original MSP is being retained to be re-fitted at a later stage.

The reverb is a long-tank spring unit, while the tremolo is my favourite type, which oscillates the output valve bias, which is much more organic and touch-sensitive than the more common amplitude modulation type. The all-up result of all these vintage goodies in a hard-wired point-to-point valve amp? Tone!

This is a very, very usable and giggable vintage guitar amp, that is surprisingly light and easy to carry.

Dimensions are 57cm(W) x 65cm(H) x 25cm(D), and it weighs 16.5 kg. Shipped dimensions and weights will be slightly higher. Click here for Australia-wide shipping quote - just add your postcode and click the 'Calculate Postage' button!

Not yet for sale

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