1963 SELMER TRUVOICE CONSTELLATION 14

Collector’s condition – timewarp example of this sixities classic.

This is an unbelievably-clean Croc Skin Constellation 14: were it not for the patches of rust on the brass-effect handle caps and tarnish on the screws, you’d think this came out of the factory yesterday. Kept under its original cover (included, together with a new custom soft cover) in a dry loft for most of its life, this is a rare find.

Click on the photos to zoom in and many more detailed shots.

Sounds lovely – this is the cosmetically-enhanced (with croc skin finish) and renamed model that followed the earlier Stadiums, famously-used by the Beatles in their Hamburg days, and also by the Shadows as their main amp pre May 1960. Giving a respectable 14 watts output, this amp includes the original footswitch for the tremolo – with blinking eye indicator on the front of the amp. All major internal parts look to be original; the speaker appears to be a Fane, but has lost its label.

These are stunning amps and not easy to find in any condition. I have never seen another Croc Skin Selmer as good as this. It comes with the original footswitch and cover (which has a slight tear) and also a modern cover made by the previous owner to keep it minty and clean.

Internally, it looks to be all-original aside from minor components changed in servicing (a couple of valve seats had to be replaced when it came out of the loft). It has the fabulous ‘blinking eye’ trem circuit which looks very cool and sounds great. Has just had a thorough and sympathetic service with our vintage amp expert. He’s kept everything as original as possible, but has worked wonders on the sound – old Selmers can have a tendency to hum, but this one’s now very quiet in operation – a stunning job. 

This really is a superb amp – a rare find in this condition.

From the Vintage Hofner site:

The famous croc-skin Selmers, probably the most sought-after models due to their exotic good looks. Imitation crocodile-skin (and snake-skin) finishes were commonly seen on British footwear and fashion accessories in the mid-sixties, and Selmer departed from their normally staid and traditional finishes by adopting a very striking two-tone croc-skin/black colour scheme – just in time for the September 1963 British Music Trade Fair. All fashions come round again, flared trousers and the fabulous croc-skins !

Selmer’s changes to their range of amplifiers, which had been quite stable for some years, were more cosmetic than fundamental. The most significant were the novel “blinking-eye” which pulsated in time with the tremelo, the croc-skin coverings, enlarged Selmer logos and new model names. It seems that it was an attempt to update Selmer’s image without investing in entirely new models of amplifier, and judging by the popularity of Selmer amplifiers from this era it was highly successful.

THE CONSTELLATION 14
A re-named Stadium with croc-skin/black finish, “blinking eye”, new logo and price up to 55 gns. 

“For the boys in the big time” – a thumping 14 watts and tremolo, generated by EF86 (3), ECC82(1), ECC83 (1), EL84 (2) and EZ81 (1) and a 12″ speaker (Goodmans Audiom 60 in most I’ve come across) to deafen the audience. Impressive array of 6 control knobs (vol Ch1, vol Ch 2 & 3, trem speed & depth, bass & treble). Footswitch included for 52 gns, serious money in the early 60’s.