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Wawasee Black Cat Mobile Tube Amp. Good or bad?

70cst

Well-Known Member
Dec 4, 2009
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I have been informed that I posted my original post in the wrong forum and I cannot delete it or move it so I will post in the correct forum this time. My apology. :redface:

I have been looking for a Mobile Tube Amp for my 1970 restored pickup. I just found this amp just a 45 min drive from my house. The seller says it works great plus its in nice condition. Not knowing diddly bout tube amps...will I be please with this amp as far as performance? (again wanting to be period correct for my truck).
Thanks


WawaseeBlackCatMobileTubeAmp.jpg


70cst8-1-3-12005.jpg
 

That is a mobile amp. There book says its 6 meters takes up to 4 wats drive on am the current drain is 3 amps the two units weigh 6LB togrther. This info is from a Wawasee book.
 
Ummm . . . Nice truck . . . But where is your 'period correct' 108 inch stainless steel whip?

Good Question. I have a NOS Antenna Mount (70's) for the truck. I was concerned the Wip my hit my truck. Not a god thing.;)


Now I have to decide if I want Ti use my President agrant(skier) or be true to my mission and go with a more period correct radio?

Decisions Decisions :confused:
 
If I remember correctly, that amp uses either a single 8950 or maybe 2 8950 tubes. I have sen both. Not a lot of power. But a small compact amp for its time. Not a lot of watts either. Maybe a couple hundred. Been a few years since I have seen one in operation.
 
IIRC in the early 70's, the Antenna Specialists M-410 Big Momma antenna was king. Errr; queen. In any event, I think they had a mag-mount version and were known for being able to stand most of the power that was available in a mobile in its day. This was the best you could get for transmit and receive performance - short of a steel 108 inch whip.

That is; if you can find one and put it back in working order to keep your truck 'period correct' . . .


s9_mag_may_1972_pg16.png
 
There's a Big Momma trunk lip mount on ePay right now. Not sure if the coil unscrews to put on a mag mount or not.



http://www.ebay.com/itm/300412498771?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619
 
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If I remember correctly, that amp uses either a single 8950 or maybe 2 8950 tubes. I have sen both. Not a lot of power. But a small compact amp for its time. Not a lot of watts either. Maybe a couple hundred. Been a few years since I have seen one in operation.

Hope your right Crusher (8950's)....but remembering those old "Black Cats" they also used the DREADED 8417's....
Even when the old shop was open (My Elmer and myself) in the mid/70's... We bought factory cases of 6JU6's & 6LQ6's but only purchased 8417's when someone paid upfront...they are not much different now price wise....
When you can find them....for a reasonable cost....
I do not even have "one" anymore....(y) Someone Really had to have it!!$$$...
All the Best
BJ

NICE TRUCK !!!!....
How about a set of "Twin Truckers" 5ft Francis whips mounted on the West Coast mirriors...or right behind the cab in the stake holes...Sold a ton of those...same for the "Twin Hustler" center loads (Beer Can Loads)....not the little or medium size ones....
They will MELT !!!!:oops:;)
 
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IIRC in the early 70's, the Antenna Specialists M-410 Big Momma antenna was king. Errr; queen. In any event, I think they had a mag-mount version and were known for being able to stand most of the power that was available in a mobile in its day. This was the best you could get for transmit and receive performance - short of a steel 108 inch whip.

That is; if you can find one and put it back in working order to keep your truck 'period correct' . . .


s9_mag_may_1972_pg16.png

Mag mount on a new paint job?

If this was my work car that would be ok but ... ;)
 
The Black Cats of those type use the 8417 tubes. And yes, they are rare. However, you can swap in a 6550 tube and get similar performance for a fraction of what you can purchase an 8417 tube. Most large music stores and guitar shops will either have these tubes in stock, or be able to order one reasonable.

~Cheers~
 
The Black Cats of those type use the 8417 tubes. And yes, they are rare. However, you can swap in a 6550 tube and get similar performance for a fraction of what you can purchase an 8417 tube. Most large music stores and guitar shops will either have these tubes in stock, or be able to order one reasonable.

~Cheers~

Thanks for the info ...
 

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