Goldentone History

Rose Morris: It all starts here.

Rose Morris of London, England. A musical instrument wholesaler and eventual retailer, who's heritage can be traced back to the 1920's.

As the 1960's get nearer and the rock'n'roll group explosion kicks in, Rose Morris proves to be the key player in finding, distributing, marketing and in some cases, manufacturing the instruments that were now in demand. Guitars, amplifiers and drums.

Throughout the 1960's the company consolidates its new position as taste-maker as the company take on exclusive UK marketing and distribution deals biggest names of the era including Marshall Amplifiers, Rickenbacker Guitars, JMI Vox Amplifiers, Ludwig Drums and many more. 

As all of this was unfolding, directors at the company looked to the other side of the world, Melbourne Australia, where they see potential growth and an opportunity to capitalise. Leslie Rose actually first traveled to Australia in 1948 and established Rose, Morris & Co.(Australia) Pty. Ltd with an office on Swanston Street in Melbourne before he left.

Leslie Rose's nephew, Alan had established himself as a key figure in the London operation, and was eventually named the man to relocate to Melbourne and take on the challenge of making the Australian arm a success. 1950's Rose-Morris product catalogues show an extensive range of products, and give every indication that business was good, but as the 60's approach and the rock'n'roll explosion comes into focus, one rather major problem stands in the company's way: 

Import Tariffs and regulations were enforced by the Australian government across the country post WW2 in the name of promoting "industrial growth". Ultimately, It was simply not viable to import the famous brands the company was responsible for to Australian shores and Rose-Morris needed to meet the demand of the market.

"Goldentone" is born!

Manufactured by Rose-Morris in Melbourne, Australia. 

 

Date codes printed on the speakers and transformers of some of the oldest known Goldentone amps indicate that were likely introduced around 1958/59. These early examples would feature Australia made "Rola" speakers and "Miniwatt" valves, both of which can be found in the majority of Goldentone amps ever made. 

By 1961 the Rose-Morris Australia catalogue included five Goldentone amplifier models. From 5 to 30 watts, 8" to 12" speakers, and some with onboard Tremolo. These amps were just as ideal for amplifying your accordion as they were your new guitar! EL84 or EL34 output valves, much like the prominent English amplifiers of the same era, were used in the output stage and a Goldentone script logo was proudly place on the front grill clothe.

Things start to get interesting in 1963 with the release of four new amplifiers designed around a 6GW8 valve output stage. This rather unusual little valve houses a pentode and a triode in one bottle (think 12AX7 pre-amp on one side and EL84 output on the other side). The 6GW8 was commonly found in vintage phonograms and record players, but outside of Australia, are rarely seen in guitar amplifiers. The one notable exception being a singular model made by Marshall in the early 70's; the incredibly collectable and lauded Marshall "Popular" 1930 featured a pair of these very same valves.

These new models also saw the introduction of the new "suitcase" amplifiers and an intriguing new dual 15 watt, 6 x 6" speaker "soloist" model with "true stereo sound" (NOTE: Stereo sound not guaranteed😂)

In 1965 Rose-Morris Australia and Rose-Morris England officially cut ties and Rose-Moris Australia would change its name to Rose Music. 

With the move away from the common valves used in American and English amps set in place, 1965 would see another new era dawn for Goldentone. Bigger, more powerful amps were needed and the designers found the answer in new circuits, with an output stage based around another unusual valve: the 6DQ6. Commonly found in black and white television sets, and not used in any other commercially manufactured amplifiers anywhere in the world (as far as we know). With two (sometimes four!) 6DQ6's and improved, considerably larger transformers from the A&R Transformer company, Goldentone now had 40 to 60 watt amplifiers fit for the times. The 1759 head and the now sought after 1755 Slimline 40 watt 2 x 12" combo both featured onboard tremolo and reverb. 

These new features were a glimpse of the future!

The almighty REVERBMASTER series arrived in the 1967 catalogue. Its very likely these amps first became available in '66 however they are from the '67 catalogue. There has been a little confusion around the year of manufacture of some of these vintage amplifiers as the date code stamped that can be found on the choke in the back of most Goldentones is actually a manufacture date for the choke itself. A choke made in '65 could have easily been used in a '66, '67 or '68 amp build..... we will never really know.

The Reverbmaster series amplifiers was offered in the "flip top" head and matching 2 x 12" cab, at 40 or 60 watts. Combo's were available in 20 and 40 watt versions. 

1967 is also where we first see the "Bassmaster" series. These single channel, dual input amplifiers featured both inputs for bass and rhythm guitar. They are identifiable by there simple 4 knob control panel that shows a picture of a double bass. They came in the same wattage and speaker sizes as the Reverbmaster series.

The "Soundmaster" series was assigned to all other amps in the range, some of which featured tremolo, but no reverb. Most of the amps in the Soundmaster series were lower wattage amplifiers built around a 6GW8 valve output section, while Reverbmaster and Bassmaster amps were typically built around the more powerful 6DQ6 valve. 

As we approach the 1970's and bigger, more powerful amps are the trend of the day, The Reverbmaster series now with "side panel" construction featuring gold trim, expands out to include some now rarely found 100w models. This also happens around the time that the new "solid state" transistor technology starts to appear. While its fair to say that these later solid state amps don't have the same harmonically rich character we associate with the earlier valve amps, they are lighter, more efficient and very powerfull! Don't overlook these amps if you find them on the vintage market.

When the 70's finally arrive, fashions have change and we start to see the the goldentone esthetic shift from gold trim to silver trim. Another interesting shift is the new re-designed student amp series and the addition of the "Tall Boy" models.

This is where we begin to see the import tariffs of the 60's starting to be relaxed and international markets starting to open to up, and the start of the end for Goldentone.

It's often noted that the "Tall Boy" models mentioned above can be found branded as Goldentone and Daison. School of thought has always been that Goldentone were responsible for manufacturing all of these amplifiers, there is some evidence to suggest that these amps were being manufactured by the Daison amplifier company in Northcote for Rose-Music and branded as Goldentone (Further clarification of this is required and we would love here any information you may have on this matter)

We do know that Rose-Music were importing a substantial amount of new Japenese manufactured products by this time including RM Tempo Guitars and a line of student amplifiers, this would support the idea that they were happy to have there products made for them.

Rose-Music discontinued the Goldentone line in 1971-72 bringing an end to an incredible era of unique australian amplifier manufacturing. The company turned its attention soley to imports and became the Australian distributor for Japanese powerhouse Yamaha.

This relationship proved mutally benificial to both company's for many years. In 1984 Yamaha Japan bought out Rose-Music and established Yamaha Music Australia.

Yamaha Music Australia and their head offices remain in South Melbourne to this day, but never had any association with Goldentone amplifiers or there manufacturing.

 

The information on this website has been gathered from many diffrent sources in the spirit of telling the Goldentone story. We absolutley must credit Roly Roper (RIP) at OZvalveamps.org and Mathew Fitzwilliam, the author of "A Trainspotter's Guide to Goldentone Amplifiers" for their incredibley detailed work around Goldentone.