Tech Talk - Danelectro Commando (1956)

The Danelectro Commando is a combo guitar amplifier manufactured by Danelectro in 1954–1960. There is some evidence that it is one of the amplifiers used by Little Walter.

The circuitry of this 30-watt amplifier is typical of its day, with a 5Y3 rectifier tube, one 12AX7 preamp tube, one 12AX7 for phase inversion, a 6SN7 additional gain stage, four 6V6 power tubes, and a 6SJ7 (original version) or a 6AU6 (very last models) for the built-in vibrato unit. What makes it special is the cabinet. Employing a "suitcase" design, it contains eight 8-inch Rola 10610 alnicos speakers wired series / parallel in two arrays one in either side of the suitcase, with the amplifier and controls located at the top and bottom of one side. The suitcase opens out so that both sides face forwards.

When closed, the amplifier is 22" × 22" x 10". It weighs 38 lbs, relatively lightweight for a valve combo amplifier.

The same amplifier was made by Danelectro under the following names:Danelectro Commando Model 88, Silvertone 1337, Montgomery Ward 35 JDR 8419, Montgomery Ward 55 JDR 8437, Montgomery Ward GDR 8517a


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