School PA System used as amp

[funkyjazzjunky]

While watching Thursday nights football game in the man cave of a friend of a friend, I noticed some beautiful vintage gear: JBL, Lynn, Altec Lansing, Rick 4001, bass from a company called Robin, NAD, Adcom, and an odd bass amp.  The owner told me it came from the PA system of an old high school. It has tubes galore and byzantine controls.  'Best amp I ever played through' he says.  
 
Since he and I were the only music enthusiast, I did not have opportunity to hear anything.  I hope to be invited back to play the Robin.  
 
Any of you have any idea what kind of amp I am talking about?

[peoplechipper]

I've seen a couple of small Robin amps over the years here in Vancouver, but they were crappy, so I have no idea if they have anything to do with what your friend has...post pics if you can! Tony

[pace]

Robin was (is?) a smaller guitar / bass company I believe was based somewhere in Texas. I've never played one, but they made some nice looking instruments back in the late 80s / early 90s.  
 
Let us know when you find out what the amp/pa is....

[keith_h]

Without a picture of the amplifier it will be hard to say what it is. A couple of possibilities are Bogen and Dukane. They both used to be very common in the commercial/industrial public address system area and had some pretty nice tube amps.  
 
Keith

[bassman10096]

Mike brought up Robin guitars and basses out of Texas.  I can't find any evidence Robin ever made amps.  But they did make some very high quality basses and guitars - first in Texas, then for a few years in Japan - then in Texas again.  I had the privilege of owning a Robin Ranger bass (med scale - think of a Fender Cowpoke with sort of a vintage 50s Pbass pickguard).  It was a great little bass, but got sold to finance an Alembic.  Interestingly, the Robin company expanded into pickups and became the company that continues to make Rio Grande pickups.

[peoplechipper]

Oh yeah, THAT Robin; never seen one in person but I've seen pics...must be different companies...

[keith_h]

I think the comment about the Robin and odd amp are two different things as he says the amp came out of an old high school PA system. While they are very heavy I have seen old Bogens used as instrument amplifiers.
 
Keith

[5a_quilt_top]

One famous Bogen user was Terry Kath (original Chicago guitarist).
 
Rumor has it that he daisy-chained as many as four Bogen PA heads for his rig on larger stages. I guess he had to keep up wit dat horn section...
 
But, IMO, his tone was magnificent, so if that's any indication of what Bogens are capable of - I'd like to find one for myself.