by abstamaria » Thu Mar 28, 2024 11:36 am
Many thanks, Phil. That is instructive and encouraged me to search on the web.
Let me set out the conclusions I drew from what I read. This likely will need correction by the many more knowledgeable here, but I thought this, as so corrected, would be useful as a guide when this wonderful forum shifts to archive mode.
1. The AC15s up to 1960 had three successive variants that differed from each other in chassis design, circuitry, cabinets, and other features. They are referred to as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd “circuits,” terms that Phil used above.
2. The 1st circuit is too early to be relevant to the Shadows, particularly to Apache.
3. The 2nd Circuit AC15s were manufactured into the spring of 1960. It seems only some 200 2nd circuit AC15s were built. They used Goodmans Audiom speakers (Audiom 60, specifically).
4. I am not clear when the 3rd circuit AC15 began production. However, it was introduced with a bass amp variant, for which an advertisement appeared in April 1960. Accordingly, it might be assumed that the 3rd Circuit became available at least at that time. It is likely that the production and sale of the 2nd and 3rd circuit AC15s overlapped, as JMI used up inventory.
5. It is therefore possible that Hank used either a 2nd or a 3rd circuit AC15 when he recorded Apache on June 17, 1960.
6. Celestion speakers first appeared on the 3rd circuit AC15s, which employed them principally with perhaps a few exceptions dictated by supply. They were silver or “oyster,” which I believe is the “hammertone” finish. (One can still buy spray pants with that finish, sometimes called “hammered” in the US. To be authentic, I used them on some engine compartment parts of vintage cars I restored.) These silver and oyster speakers are the “forerunners” of the Celestion Blues, but I do not know if they differed dramatically from that later model.
7. Celestion registered the Blue speakers as a new model only in in November 1960, so it seems certain the sound of Apache was not reproduced through one. The earliest known AC15 with a Celestion Blue was made in May 1961.
8. A photo of the Shadows taken on May 31, 1960 shows the band rehearsing for the Royal Variety Show. A 2nd circuit AC15 appears in the photo, its Audiom speaker clearly seen.
A photo taken on September 18, 1960 shows Cliff and the Shadows on stage with three AC 15s. Two, in two-tone cabinets, are identified as 2nd circuit amps belonging to the Shadows. It appears the third is also 2nd circuit, but this is not clear.
9. If the Shadows had and were using 2nd circuit AC15s from at least May to September 1960, it is reasonable to assume that in June 1960 they recorded Apache on such an amplifier. Phil (Kelly) has good basis for his belief.
10. On the subject of this thread – speakers - it is very likely then that the sound we hear from the original recording of Apache was through a Goodmans Audiom speaker.
There is of course the famous photograph of the Shadows in Abbey Road, said to be on the day they recorded Apache. Cliff is seen with his J200. I do not recall if an AC15 appears in that photo and, if so, if it can be clearly identified as either a 2nd or a 3rd circuit amplifier, that would close speculation on the matter.
I hope this is useful. Corrections and additions will be appreciated.
Andy
Last edited by
abstamaria on Thu Mar 28, 2024 2:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.