(615) 915-1851 606 8th Ave S, Nashville TN
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Amplifiers

Jim Kelley FACS Reverb Model Head Rare Color 1980, Red

$21,000.00

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InstrumentAmplifiers
BrandJim Kelley
ModelFACS Reverb Model Head
FinishRed
SKUAP3950-A
Made In Year1980
Preamp12AX7 (x5)
Power6V6 (x4)
RectifierSS
Wattage30w/60w Switchable
CircuitFACS Reverb Model
TransformersOriginal
Notesw/ Original Jim Kelley Attenuator
Jim Kelley holds legendary status among amp builders and is often referred to as "the other Dumble." What this means is that Jim was a true innovator, and his amps are unlike anything else out there. The name of the amp, F.A.C.S., stands for Foot Activated Channel Switching, and while the concept is simple, it’s the foundation of what makes this amp so special. 

Included with the amp is also his Jim Kelley attenuator, which functions like a standard in-line unit between the amp and speaker, but utilizes a 4 pin cable to make it used specifically for channel 1. Kelley’s design goal was to use the attenuator as a master volume for the first channel, while the second channel bypasses it and goes straight to the output. Essentially, this setup allows for a cleaner channel and a more overdriven one, with volume equalized by the attenuator rather than a preamp master volume. While many other designers took the easier route by simply adding a master volume to the preamp, this extra step is what sets Jim Kelley apart as an engineer. 

Tone-wise, one might think of this amp as falling somewhere between a Fender and a Marshall. It’s like a Fender with more midrange, or a Marshall with more bass control and tonal versatility. Either way, it really does its own thing and needs to be heard to be fully appreciated. Players like Mark Knopfler, Robben Ford, and Lou Reed have all owned one, just to name a few. Kelley only built a small number of amps over a few years, making them quite rare. We're excited to offer this rare red-covered FACS, which according to Jim is the only one to ever feature this unique color!
*When using Affirm, we charge an additional 3.5% fee on the total at checkout. The majority of our instruments are consignment, where CVG keeps a small percentage of each sale. To be able to cover the additional costs required to offer financing, we have to include a higher fee to the customer. The 3.5% fee will be included in and spread across your Affirm payments.

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