What is this page, and why is it here?
Back in 2011 I came across an
amplifier head as a
project to restore. It was a partial unit in very rough shape, which had been
electrically modified away from the original, and I knew little about
it other than what was written on the front:
Made In Canada
Model No. 630 2
Lifco Company Montreal
CSA LR11639
When trying to gather data, I found there really wasn't much.
There were a couple on-line references to suggest that CSA LR11639 belonged to KEIL (Kitchener Electronic Industries Ltd). That said - I've not actually seen a KEIL amplifier with that CSA number nor have I seen any other evidence to confirm a connection. I have seen at least one piece of KEIL equipment (a record player) with an entirely different CSA number - and so the original on-line KEIL tie-in is expected to be in error (can anyone out there confirm/deny what CSA number is present on KEIL amps?)
The
11639 CSA number does
appears on older 'Lifco' phonograph equipment - which
suggests that Lifco is indeed an intentity unto itself. This
same company appears to have made
radios as well (see Note
4 below for background on Lifco).
In terms of on-line information for more recent guitar amplifiers, there were some posts from other
Lifco owners with
pictures - but most of those were requests from people looking for information.
Making things more confusing is that while the Lifco
name might appear on the unit, there could also be another badge showing
something different - including Regal, AGS, Cobra, Imperial,
etc. - so sometimes they were referred to as ‘Lifco’ amps but other times
‘Regal’ or something else.
In on-line
posts people might refer to their “Lifco amp” - and others would reply with
information on their “Lifco amp” - but there was often no reference to a given model
number and so one person might be asking about model X, but the answers were for
model Y.
Yet further confusing things,
some units that look completely different (and have different implementations)
will have exactly the same model number.
The original amp discussed above was from Canada. I am from Canada. As I’m
electrically inclined and like a puzzle, I’ve developed a specific interest
in these units. To that end, I’ve put together this page to collect the
information I have on them, so
that others might be able to use the bits and pieces I've come across.
I’ve already picked up a couple of these amps - and as
the opportunity arises I hope to get one of
each model (and to update this page accordingly).
My initial focus is on those amps that seem to have a
direct connection to the first one I picked up (e.g., Lifco Model 630 2).
Specifically - I’ll be looking at those units that are either listed as:
1) Lifco Company Montreal or
2) Have a CSA number of LR11639
If you happen to have
more data on these specific units, data on other similar units, background on the company, advertisements
that might have referenced them, corrections, etc. - please feel free to get in touch.
As well, if there's something additional you would like to see in the table
below, just
let me know.
If you happen to have a unit that I don’t, and want to sell it for a reasonable price, then feel free to get in touch. (Note - I’m most interested in items that have not been ‘modified’ or ‘updated’. Preference is given to items in their original condition - even if that means that they don’t necessarily work, have blown parts, or may not look very nice.)
I can be contacted via e-mail at "ac151RemoveThisBit @ ncf.ca" (remember to remove the spaces as well as "RemoveThisBit").
Notes:
0) There were many different amplifiers available in Canada - and even several different companies operating out of Montreal. In on-line discussions many of these have been mixed together, implying that one sort of amplfiier was perhaps made by one company when it was actually made by some other company. The best way to distinguish between manufacturers is to look for the CSA (Canadian Standards Association) number on the product. Items marked with LR11639 are from 'Lifco', as discussed above. If the item is marked wth a CSA number of LR19952, then that is a Pine Electronic Products/Pepco amp - and if it is marked with LR24510 then it is a Garnet amp (http://www.garnetamps.com/stencil.htm). While some models are nearly identical between Lifco, Pine/Pepco and Garnet - insofar as I know there was no formal relationship between the companies.
1) Some units appear to have been made available both as combo amps as well as separate amp heads. For that reason, no information is given on the size or number of speakers, as that would differ depending on the specific unit at hand. There also appears to have been different styles of cabinets used for the combos - some with sloping fronts, others with flat fronts, different size and number of speakers, etc.
2) There may be some other schematics out there floating around. I'm only listing the ones that I have been able to personally verify.
3) Cabinet backs are often held on with Canadian Robertson screws.
4) From the Quebec Official Gazette (Dated Saturday, May 28th, 1955) (page 1640):
(A.G. 10881-55)
Lifco Record Players and Radios Mfg. Inc.
Notice is hereby given that under Part I of the Quebec Companies' Act, letters patent have been issued by the Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of Quebec, bearing date the seventh day of April, 1955, incorporating: Joseph Lifschutz, merchant, Sureka Wasserman, secretary, spinster of the full age of majority, both of Montreal, and Jack Shayne, advocate, of Westmount, all of the judicial district of Montreal, for the following purposes:
To manufacture and deal in record players, radios and television sets, electrical appliances and sporting goods, under the name of "Lifco Record Players and Radios Mfg. Inc.", with a total capital stock of $40,000, divided into 20,000 common shares of $1each and into 20,000 preferred shares of $1 each. The head office of the company will be at Montreal, judicial district of Montreal. Dated at the office of the Attorney General, this seventh day of April, 1955.
C. E. CANTIN,
39938-o Deputy Attorney General.
(xref: http://collections.banq.qc.ca:81/jrn03/goq/src/1955/05/28/116644_1955-05-28.pdf)
Based on other elements in the on-line Gazette collection (http://www.banq.qc.ca/collections/collection_numerique/publications_gouvernementales/gazette_officielle/recherche/index.html?keyword=lifco) it appears that no returns were filed from 1970 to 1976, and so in 1977 there was a notice that the company was being dissolved.
| Model | 300 | 400 | 500 | 630 (older, no reverb) | 630 (newer, no reverb) | 630 2 (older, w/reverb) |
630 (newer, w/reverb) | 800 | 800 | 1000 | 1000 | 1000 |
| Name | The Cobra Mark 2 | The Cobra Mark 2 | ||||||||||
| # Knobs | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 6 |
| List of Knobs (Front, Left to Right) |
(1) On - Off / Volume (2) Tone | (1) Switch (On/Off)(2) Tone (3) Volume | (1) Tone (2) Volume (3) Tremolo On/Off, Rate | (1) Volume (2) Bass (3) Treble (4) Tremolo On/Off, Rate | (1) Tremolo On/Off, Rate (2) Volume (3) Treble (4) Bass | (1) On-Off / Volume (2) Bass (3) Treble (4) Reverb Level (5) Tremolo On/Off, Rate | (1) Tremolo (2) Volume (3) Treble (4) Bass (5) Reverb |
(1) Volume (2) Treble (3) Bass | (1) Volume (2) Treble (3) Bass (4) Tremolo On/Off, Rate |
(1) Volume 1 (2) Volume 2 (3) Treble (4) Bass (5) Low Range Expander(6) High Range Expander | (1) Reverb (2) Volume 1 (3) Volume 2 (4) Treble (5) Bass (6) Tremolo Speed (7) Tremolo Intensity |
(1) Volume 1 (2) Volume 2 (3) Treble (4) Bass (5) Tremolo Speed (6) Tremolo Intensity |
| Other Controls | (none) | (none) | Power On/Off Sw, Tremolo On/Off Footswitch Jack | Power On/Off Sw | Power On/Off Sw, Standby On/Off Sw | Reverb On/Off Footswitch Jack | Power On/Off Sw, | Power On/Off Sw, Standby On/Off Sw | Power On/Off Sw, Standby On/Off Sw | Standby On/Off Sw (front), Ground Sw (rear), Power On/Off (rear) | Standby On/Off Sw (front) | Standby On/Off Sw (front), Ground Sw (rear), Power On/Off (rear), Tremolo Foot Sw (rear) |
| # Channels | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| # Instrument Inputs | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 (1x Guitar, 1x Bass) | 3 (2x Dry, 1x Reverb) | 3 (1x Guitar, 1x Bass, 1x Reverb) | 3 (2x Guitar, 1x Bass) | 3 (2x Guitar, 1x Bass) | 4 (2x Ch 1, 2x Ch 2) | 4 | 4 |
| # Tubes | 3 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 5 | (at least 7) | 6 |
| Tube Lineup | 12AX7, 50L6, 35Z5 | 5Y3, 6BQ5 (Qty 2), 6SN7, 6AU6 (Qty 2) | 6AV6 (Qty 3), 6X4, 6AQ5 | 5Y3, 6BQ5 (Qty 2), 6AV6 (Qty 4) | 5Y3, 6BQ5 (Qty 2), 6AV6 (Qty 4) | 6BM8, 12AX7, 5Y3, 6BQ5 (Qty 2), 6AV6 (Qty 4) | 6BM8, 12AX7, 5Y3, 6BQ5 (Qty 2), 6AV6 (Qty 4) | 5U4GB, 12AX7 (Qty 2), 6V6GT (Qty 2) | 5Y3, 6BQ5 (Qty 2), 6AV6 (Qty 4) | 12AX7A/7025A (Qty 3), 7027A (Qty 2) | 12AX7A (Qty 4), 7027A (Qty 2) | |
| Output | Single Ended - 1x 50L6 | Push-Pull - 2x 6BQ5 (EL84) | Single Ended - 1x 6AQ5 | Push-Pull - 2x 6BQ5 (EL84) | Push-Pull - 2x 6BQ5 (EL84) | Push-Pull - 2x 6BQ5 (EL84) | Push-Pull - 2x 6BQ5 (EL84) | Push-Pull - 2x 6V6 | Push-Pull - 2x 6BQ5 (EL84) | Push-Pull - 2x 7027A | Push-Pull - 2x 7027A | |
| Ballpark Output Power in Watts (based on tube structure, not amp measurements) | 4 | 17 | 4 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 45 | 45 | |
| Output / Speaker Impedance (Ohms) | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 16 (for unit tested) - although some may be 8 | 8 | |||||
| Badges Seen | AGS, Regal | Regal | AGS, Regal | Regal | The Imperial | Regal | The Imperial | The Imperial | The Imperial | |||
| Tremolo | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Reverb | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Equivalent / Similar To | Pine 201, Magnatone Starlet, Model 107 | Beltone AP-50 | Beltone AP-12, AP-14, AP-A | Beltone AP-22, AP-24 | Beltone AP-22, AP-24 | Pine/Pepco Riviera 725 (essentially the same - including chassis and panel style), Fender Princeton AA964 (similar) | Lifco Model 630 | Traynor YBA-1 (1966), Marshall JTM45, Fender Bassman
5F6-A |
Suspect may be a copy of Traynor YSR-1 | Traynor YGA-1 (1967) | ||
| Notes | - No Power Transformer (117v powered) - Not marked 'Lifco' - Speaker impedance as measured from combo - As wired from the factory, the tone control is ineffective. |
Only ever seen as a mated pair with a two- speaker cabinet. The visual similarities with the AP-50 include the chassis setup, speaker cabinet and control type and number. | - Speaker impedance as measured from combo | - Combo cabinet uses good plywood. | A different cabinet & chassis with the components in different locations (and a 'standby' switch) - but essentially electrically identical to the 'other' Model 630. Styled similarly to the Model 800. Not certain what knobs were 'original.' Pressed-wood cabinet. As wired from the factory, the Bass control isn't strictly a 'Bass' control. | Styled similarly to the Model 800. Although laid out differently, I suspect that the electronics are nearly identical to the Model 630 2. | Compared to the 'no tremolo' Model 800, the front panel differs in that the tremolo knob replaces the 'standby' neon light. While visually the panel appears to be a 'Model 800' - the tube line-up is not the same as the Model 800 - and intead, the chassis, tubes and wiring are like the "Imperial" (new) Lifco 630 | Labelled as a 'Bass Amp". Black-face models have a hole in the rear panel labelled 'foot switch' - but this location is empty (this is presumably due to using a common rear panel with the version of the Model 1000 that offers tremolo). This hole is not present on the 'blue-face' (non-tremolo) rear panel. VERY heavy with large transformers. | Looks similar to non-tremolo Model 1000, except for the extra knob control, and the 4 front panel jacks are arranged as two rows of two (vs. 1 row of 4). Blue-face rear-panel does have a 'foot switch' jack. | Looks similar to non-tremolo Model 1000, except that the two 'Range Expander' knobs are replaced by two Tremolo related knobs. | ||
| Configuration Seen (Combo config or Head only) | Combo | Head + Connected Speaker Cabinet | Combo | Combo & Head | Head | Combo & Head | Head | Head | Head | Head | Head | Head |
| Panel ID | LR11639 | LR11639 | LR11639 | LR11639 & LIFCO | LIFCO | LR11639 & LIFCO | LIFCO | LIFCO | LIFCO | LR11639 & LIFCO | LR11639 & LIFCO | LR11639 & LIFCO |
| Variants | Forward facing chassis. Rear facing chassis.
Different tolex. Some with a neon pilot light on the panel. All silver panel, silver and grey panel, black panel. |
Several different colour/styles of tolex. | Several different combo chassis types/styles. | Black face, Blue face | ||||||||
| "Original" Schematic (pdf)
{Note 5} |
regal300 | lifco400 | regal500 | lifco630 | lifco630new | lifco630_2 | lifco800 | lifco_1000_nt | ||||
| Example Year(s) Produced (an estimate based on date code of components) | 1967, 1968 | 1965 -> | 1967, 1968 | 1967, 1969 | 1971 | 1966 -> | 1968, 1970 | 1967, 1970 | 1967 -> | |||
| Unit already on hand? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (but would still be interested in getting an originally wired unit) | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
Note 5: I’m not aware of there actually being any ‘official’ schematic for these units. The ones shown here attempt to capture the original, ‘as-built’ construction. That said it is important to note that while this may be good as a historical reference, the ‘as-built’ construction may not necessarily be the most proper construction to have in place. For instance - in most/many of the "Model 1000" units there was a 16v electrolytic capacitor installed across a signal that was nominally 40V (thus exceeding the 16V limit) - and the cap seeming appeared on the ‘wrong side’ of a resistor in the bias circuit. Additionally, the tone control in the Model 300's was connected in such a way that it really wasn’t doing anything. I've not found any 'unique writing' that actually made the Lifco units 'better' - instead pretty much everything I have come across looked like an oversight.
Note 6: AGS appears to refer to "American General Supply" - a supplier of quite a variety of other commercial equipment - often with elements coming from Japan (xref: Radio Museum). AGS is believed to be separate and distinct from Lifco. It is expected that the guitar amplifiers mentioned on this page in association with AGS are simply standard 'Lifco' amplifiers that have been offered under the AGS name (e.g., rebranded). So - while some Lifco amplifiers may be branded 'AGS', it is not expected that AGS elements (in general) have a relation to Lifco.
[As time allows, and if there is interest, this section will be updated with documents discussing the frequency response of the different Lifco amp types and how the tone controls do (or don't) afftect the resulting frequency response.]
Tone Response for AGS/Regal Model 300 Amplifier
Tone Response for Regal/Lifco Model 630 and 630 2 Amplifiers
I don't claim ownership of all these photos. Many were taken from on-line postings or auction/store listings. These are only provided here to help illustrate/differentiate the different models/configurations. If a picture belongs to you, and you would prefer it not to be here - just let me know and it will be removed.
Slanting front panel, with forward facing chassis
Slanting front panel, with rear facing chassis
Full-frame style cabinet, with rear facing chassis
Slanting speaker baffle, with rear facing chassis (front)
Slanting speaker baffle, with rear facing chassis (rear)
Panel Controls (all silver, no pilot light)
Panel Controls (silver and grey, w/ pilot light on right)
Front view, showing head and speaker (grey/black)
Front view, showing head and speaker (black)
Slanting front panel, with forward facing chassis
Slanting front panel, with rear facing chassis (Tall)
One speaker Combo with slanting panel
Two speaker Combo with slanting panel (front)
Two speaker Combo with slanting panel (rear, open)
Rear Panel Controls (Black, with unused 'Foot Switch' location)
Rear Panel Controls (Blue, with no 'Foot Switch' location)
If you're looking for my information on Sparton of Canada Televisions, check out this link
