The Emrad amplifier was designed to the needs of jazz-guitar great Johnny Smith. Handmade in a Colorado workshop, these 100-watt solid-state combos were soon also used by Sugarloaf, performers of this genre-defying 70s classic.
I rank this track with other ‘it could only have happened in the early seventies’ hazy-vibed jams such as Ride Captain Ride and Brandy. Is it rock music? Pop? Lounge music? The Emrad saga was a brief one; follow this link for the details.
8 replies on “The Obscure Emrad Guitar Amplifier circa 1971”
I had several conversations with the amiable Johnny Smith which usually revolved arounf airplanes as he was a seaplane pilot as well as a musician. But I remember remarking that people wanted tube amps as opposed to solid state ones and he thought that was rather crazy. Back then people thought solid state was just better. Of course, it isn’t necessarily better. If tube technology had continued on a mainstream basis for another fifty years (yes, it’s been fifty years since solid state became the perceived standard: although tubes stayed mainstream another half to two thirds of a decade and had a revival as soon as they were gone in audio, everyone felt tubes were obsolete and a throwback-everyone but us nuts) the reliability and durability of tubes would be pretty amazing now.
I’ve never seen this amp but that RCA circuit is probably the one that is in the RCA Solid State Hobby Projects book (which shows up on ebay, and if you want to scan it for .pdf say so and I’ll send you a musty but clean copy) and is shown as a modulator in mid-70s ARRL Handbooks.
Hello, I just acquired an early Emrad amplifier. It was the second Emrad amplifier made and belonged to Johnny Smith. It was gifted to a friend in the early 1970s when they worked together. Is there any serial number information out there and also any
production totals. The one I have is a very simple and loud amp. I was told he ordered 2 of the same amps his exact specifications. Any info would be greatly appreciated! You can email me Tal6969@aol.com
Thanks Steve
Growing up in the era this Sugarloaf cut was on popular radio I loved it, what’s not to like full Hammond organ, great guitar and funky drums?! Thinking about your question it seems to me to defy category – it is just music!! Seems that radio stations and retail music sellers have the urge to need to put music in categories so as to be able to sell it to their customers. I never remember who said it first but to me there are two kinds of music – good and bad. Enjoy it, nothing like this track around now days!!
The Johnny Smith amps and the custom made Sugarloaf variant were built by R.E. “Ev” Evans in his shop in downtown Littleton Colorado.
He was the “go to” amp repair guy for many musicians and music stores in Colorado in the 1960s, including Johnny Smith’s store in Colorado Springs
Ev was my mentor and taught me most of what I know about solid stage amplifier circuits. I’ve had an over 50 year career as a live sound man since then.
And yes the output circuit is the one right out of the RCA transistor “cookbook”.
I have an Emrad Grand Master Amp. looking for any and all information on this amp.
I own an Emrad Grand Master (serial# 101), and have another in my possession (serial# 144). Both amplifiers are going to the Rocky Mountain Music Museum for repairs.
Gordon Close, one of Johnny Smith’s first students, is the owner of the museum and has LOTS of information and history about all things Johnny Smith.
Below is the link to the museum with Gordon’s contact information. I know he would really enjoy chatting with you!
http://www.rockymountainmusicmuseum.com/
Thank you JT The amp serial number 144 is my amp..lol