In this video, we'll take an epic journey from the unboxing of a vintage 1960s Valco Airline 62-9025A, through it's troubleshooting and service (with a recap and fix of the faulty reverb), take a thorough look at the schematic, and ultimately to a SEARING tone demonstration in which we'll really open her up and blow the walls out of my living room!
The Airline 62-9025A is the same circuit as the Gretsch G6152, the Supro S6422TR, and the National N6422TR. All these models feature tremolo and reverb. All have a 5-watt output. The Supro and Airline versions had 10" speakers while the National had 2x8" and the Gretsch version had a 12".
This circuit is one of the most sought after of the Valco circuits simply because it is a single-ended, class-A, 5-watt, 6V6 based circuit, so it's small and studio-friendly with those killer overtones only a single-ended, class-A amp can provide, but it also includes Valco's outstanding tremolo AND it's cheesy, unmistakably 60s-sounding reverb circuits! So, if you're talking about both a great recording amp and a perfect small amp for micing up at a gig, this is the Valco you want! I've owned several examples of this circuit, and this one might be the best-sounding example yet.
Cosmetically, there are some nicks and dings and a bit of staining on the cream and black covering, but overall it doesn't look abused. I've cleaned it up pretty well.
The reverb has been serviced and all electrolytic caps have been replaced. New 3-prong power cord installed and death cap removed. The original speaker was DOA when I got the amp (burnt voice coil), so I've installed a 1963 Jensen P-10S, which is a smooth-cone 9W AlNiCo, and I'd call a definite upgrade for this circuit anyway over the stock C-10R. It sounds absolutely heavenly in the amp. There is a bit of rust on the speaker, but it's well broken in and in perfect operational condition.
All tubes are the original RCA and still going strong!
Follow the links below to see other examples I've had of this circuit in the past!
National N6422TR - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wzdak...
Another National N6422TR - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy6z4...
Supro S6422TR - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQBDo...
Another Supro S6422TR - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vBI1...
Another Airline 62-9025A - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YHNj...