{"product_id":"bird-talisman-combo-amp","title":"Bird 1961 Talisman Vintage British Guitar Amp Excellent","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo sales tax for US customers outside California.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere is one amp I had never seen before!  It didn't work well when I first encountered it, but the look got me so I grabbed it.  With the help of my friend and longtime amp tech, Pat, it has been restored and is sounding great. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePat changed out a few resistors and capacitors.  The amp requires a step down transformer for use in the US.  He installed a power outlet in the cabinet and a standard, detachable power cable connection on the chassis so it is easy to plug into your wall outlet.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Bird Talisman is a 6-watt EL84-powered combo.  It is obviously built to favor chime and harmonic complexity over brute output. The EF86 preamp tube and EZ81 rectifier — a high-gain pentode — gives this amp classic British character, distinct from the more common 12AX7-based designs of its era. The oval Elac 510C speaker — a 10x6-inch elliptical driver — contributes its own coloration; elliptical speakers in small-cabinet amps tend to produce a focused, present midrange. They are also found in some of the most beloved Valco amps of the same period.  Overall condition is excellent and all major components original.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBird Sound Ltd. operated out of London from the late 1950s through the 1960s, producing a range of tube amps that competed in the same market as early Vox and Selmer designs. Check ou tthe knobs - they are the same as early Vox AC amps (and they're really rare and hard to find!). The Talisman was among their combo offerings aimed at working guitarists who needed something portable. These amps have remained obscure outside the UK and serious vintage amp circles, which means they tend to be undervalued relative to their circuit quality. Original surviving examples with intact transformers, original covering, and original speakers are increasingly difficult to find.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chassis, grille, baffle, knobs, handle, potentiometers, and speaker are all original with no repairs or modifications. The grille cloth is a wire mesh style, peeking through the slotted baffle.  The pinstripe covering across the front is a classic 60s British look. Power and output transformers (model codes 32011 and 32012) are original. Current tubes are a Mullard EZ81 rectifier, ARS EL84 power tube, and Mullard EF86 preamp tube.  All tubes have been tested to make sure they're good to go. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSPECIFICATIONS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"product-spec-list\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eWeight: 17lbs 3.5oz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eDimensions: 18-1\/2\" w x 17-1\/2\" h x 6-5\/8\" d\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eWatts: 6\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eCase\/Cover: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eCovering Material: vinyl\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eCovering Color: white and green\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eCovering Original: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eCabinet Condition: very good\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eCabinet Repairs\/Changes: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eCabinet Original: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eGrille Style: wire mesh\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eGrille Condition: good\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eGrille Original: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eBaffle Condition: good\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eBaffle Original: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eBaffle Repairs\/Changes: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eChassis Material: metal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eChassis Condition: very good\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eChassis Original: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eChassis Repairs\/Changes: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eKnobs Original: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eHandle Material: rubber\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eHandle Original: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eSpeaker 1 Brand: Elac 510C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eSpeaker 1 Size: 10 x 6\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eSpeaker 1 Cone Code: 81, 1481\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eSpeaker 1 Cone Original: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eSpeaker 1 Condition: good\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003ePower Transformer Original: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eOutput Transformer Original: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eReverb Onboard: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eTremolo Or Vibrato Onboard: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003ePedal Included: no\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eRectifier Tube: EZ81\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eRectifier Tube Brand: Mullard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003ePower Tubes: EL84\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003ePower Tube Brand: ARS\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003ePreamp Tubes: EF86\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003ePreamp Tube Brand: Mullard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003ePotentiometers Original: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eFilter Caps: original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eInternal Repairs: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003ePower Cable: included\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eAccessories Included: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eDocumentation: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eSmells: none\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eSpeaker 1 Original: yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003ePower Transformer Model Code: 32012\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"product-spec\"\u003eOutput Transformer Model Code: 32011\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.maharsvintageguitars.com\/pages\/sell-vintage-guitars\"\u003eWe buy, sell, and take trades.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBe sure to check out the other cool guitar related stuff on our site!\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca title=\"Vintage and used guitar amplifiers at Mahar's Vintage Guitars\" href=\"https:\/\/www.maharsvintageguitars.com\/collections\/amps\"\u003eVintage \u0026amp; Used Amplifiers\u003c\/a\u003e — \u003ca title=\"Vintage and used Fender guitars at Mahar's Vintage Guitars\" href=\"https:\/\/www.maharsvintageguitars.com\/collections\/vintage-fender-guitars\"\u003eFender Electric Guitars\u003c\/a\u003e — \u003ca title=\"Vintage and used Gibson guitars at Mahar's Vintage Guitars\" href=\"https:\/\/www.maharsvintageguitars.com\/collections\/gibson-guitars\"\u003eGibson Electric Guitars\u003c\/a\u003e — \u003ca title=\"Vintage and used effects pedals at Mahar's Vintage Guitars\" href=\"https:\/\/www.maharsvintageguitars.com\/collections\/effect-pedals\"\u003eVintage \u0026amp; Used Effects Pedals\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eShipping Policy\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBy completing your purchase you are agreeing to this shipping policy. Shipments require signature on delivery, no exceptions. Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely. If there is damage, retain all packing materials intact, photograph them immediately, and send the photos to \u003ca href=\"mailto:sales@maharsvintageguitars.com\"\u003esales@maharsvintageguitars.com\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAmplifiers\u003c\/b\u003e: We take additional precautions to prevent common shipping damage. Depending on the amp, this may include removing tubes, pulling the chassis from the cabinet if heavy transformers present a drop risk, or removing heavy speakers that could crack baffles in transit. Reassembly is required on delivery — we label everything clearly. These measures add to shipping costs but reflect hard-won experience. \u003cb\u003eVintage amplifiers (20 years or older) are sold as-is\u003c\/b\u003e — all amps are tested in our shop upon intake and again before shipping. We cover shipping damage but cannot be responsible for the failure of vintage components in instruments that are 20 to 50-plus years old.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bird","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56768567574694,"sku":"AMP-0906","price":999.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0455\/7527\/4662\/files\/20260710_115820.jpg?v=1783712016","url":"https:\/\/www.maharsvintageguitars.com\/products\/bird-talisman-combo-amp","provider":"Mahar's Vintage Guitars","version":"1.0","type":"link"}