Wanted-Walter Woods Amp

[sonofa_lembic]

Looking for any Walter Woods amp.  I would prefer a green, amber or blue light, but I am open to any that are in good shape and working well. 
Trevor 
oib805@gmail.com

[JimmyJ]

There are a few on Reverb right now.  None are cheep...

Jimmy J

[jazzyvee]

here is one also. Looks in good nick
http://www.bottomwave.com/LstWalterWoods.htm

[sonofa_lembic]

Hey Jimmy, you still using one of Walter's amps?  I wouldn't mind borrowing yours permanently.  LOL.
With a bit of diligence, I tracked down a nice 1980 Walter Woods for $550.00, that was ordered by Howard Roberts via his daughter.  Nice provenance.  Nothing sounds better with an upright, and with the correct cabinet, it is a beast for electric bass.  It is the only preamp that I have heard that rivals an Alembic preamp, but they are distinctly different.  Both in good ways, but different.  The Woods is able to produce the high end clarity of an F2B, that is lacking in virtually every other preamp on the market.  It takes a good tweeter to pull it out of the Woods, whereas the Alembic can get that 16K sparkle with most cabinets.  If anyone out there has one to get rid of, let me know.  I can always use more!

[JimmyJ]

Hey Trevor,

Yes, I still use mine when playing here in town.  Glad to hear you were able to find one, and amazing that it belonged to Howard Roberts!  The big box jazz guitar players absolutely loved these amps, as did the upright guys. 

They're fairly rare because I think Walter himself has hand built ALL of them.  But he's been doing it for many years, and they keep on working, so that helps their numbers. 

If you take the top off that amp you will likely find a schematic tightly folded and stuffed inside.  And you may already know but there is a 120/240V switch hidden between two of the heatsink's fins.  Clever guy.

Enjoy it!
Jimmy J

[sonofa_lembic]

Glad to hear you still have your WW amp Jimmy.  I was able to use it on a gig recently in Santa Barbara for a live feed concert with the upright bass, and then upstairs in the hotel restaurant for the evening with a fretless electric bass.  It worked great and was nice and compact along with a single 12" cabinet. 
One of Alembic's old luthiers, Rob Kramer, has kept in touch with Walter, and spoke with him on his 80th birthday a couple of weeks ago.  He is still producing amps for sale, but rarely will answer the phone as was always the case.  He is remarried, and doing well. 
Thanks for the tips on the hidden features of the amps.  I have been reading all I can about them, but I also have paperwork with all the old owners "manuals" and receipts from Walter to reference. 
Most of all, I wonder what Ron W. would think if he were to look inside one of Walter's amps. 
Thanks for the encouragement,
Trevor L