Two tone AC15s, 1960-1961, early photographs
A detail from a photo published in the music trade press in March 1961 of amps and organs awaiting dispatch at 115 Dartford Road: ten two-tone AC15s in view. Ten beige AC15s are also pictured, along with at least two AC10s and a series of AC2s.
Below, a growing collection of early pictures (pre-1963) of bands with two-tone AC15s. For the most part The Shadows had second circuit amplifiers. Robert Valentine's band, pictured at the end of this page, had the newer third circuit AC15s. As for the others, it is difficult to tell at present.
Around 200 second circuit two-tone AC15s were produced from late 1959 to mid 1960. From later 1960 into mid 1961, probably around 150 (at a conservative estimate) third circuit amplifiers.
At present, 32 amps are pictured below. It should be said though that some of those illustrated may be ones also caught in the shot of 115 Dartford Road at the head of the page.
If anyone knows of further instances that should be incorporated, do let me know.
The Shadows
Detail of a picture from Getty Images of Cliff and The Shadows, 18th September, 1960. At left, two of the two-tone second circuit AC15s belonging to the Shadows, and at right the third, all with diamond grille cloth.
Detail from a picture published by Jim Elyea, "Vox Amplifiers", p. 549. London Palladium, rehearsals, early summer 1960, showing the tremolo controls on the rear panel and the Goodmans Audiom 60 speakers.
The Shadows had their two-tone AC15s by the time of the Royal Variety performance, 16th May, 1960. In March the band was still using Selmers and older AC15s on stage.
Performance and recording 16th May, 1960; broadcast on BBC1 on 22nd May. The Shadows have their new two-tone AC15s, probably supplied by JMI with the show in mind.
Joe Brown
Joe Brown (with Billy Fury).
The Offbeats
Pete Miller, later of Peter Jay and the Jaywalkers
Ivan Jay and the Jaymen
With Alvin Lee on guitar, the Jaymen later became the Jaycats, picture from this page. The amp on the right appears to have plain grille cloth.
The Royals
Pictured with an early AC15 (with a white handle) in standard diamond pattern rexine, and one two tone.
The Cannons
The Nomads (Cumbria)
The Zephyrs
Fourth picture down on this page.
Danny King and the Dukes
The Beat Men (Nottingham)
Pic. originally posted here.
The Crestas (Birmingham)
Thumbnail pics on this page
The Tremors (Wolverhampton)
Small photo (in colour) on this page.
The Cossacks (Eastbourne)
The Staggerlees
A TV Front AC30 also in view.
Gerry and the Pacemakers
Photo taken in 1961 or 1962.
Kent
Thanks to Robert Valentine, and posted a little while ago, a promotional picture of his band taken c. 1962/1963 at Elstree Studios for a film that ultimately did not come to be. The singer, who was not a member of the group, was brought in specially for the shot. Robert is to the right of the drummer.
The matching two-tone AC15s (blue/grey and oatmeal) - a "Normal" and a "Bass" - are third circuit amps.