Polytone Mini Brute I

joaopaz · 03-28-2017, 08:51 AM

Just arrived......!

But at this point I don't yet know if it's working properly - because of the AC plug type. I believe it's an Italian plug type and I'll need to convert it to the general European format (fellow European members, any help on this?)

The Ebay seller, a music shop in Italy, advertised it as being in perfect functioning conditions - but considering the age of the thing and the recent land transport - it will be a pain to wait until I am able to check it all!

In the meantime I'll leave you guys with some photos and will ask for your expertise - any info you may provide about this baby will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

Polytone Mini Brute I-img_20170328_132125-jpg

Polytone Mini Brute I-img_20170328_132125-jpg

Polytone Mini Brute I-img_20170328_132141-jpg

Polytone Mini Brute I-img_20170328_132156-jpg

Polytone Mini Brute I-img_20170328_132222-jpg

Polytone Mini Brute I-img_20170328_132301-jpg

Polytone Mini Brute I-img_20170328_132328-jpg

Polytone Mini Brute I-img_20170328_132341-jpg

**eblydian** · 03-28-2017, 09:55 AM

Congrats!

well, you need something like this
Alle prese con le prese... - 80GIOVANI.IT - ll giro del mondo in 80 giovani
(my apologies for the totally unrelated page, but it's the best picture I could find)

Try at a computer shop.... I could send you one if I lived in Italy but I don't.

Good luck.

**lawson-stone** · 03-28-2017, 10:08 AM

that generation of Polytones is really outstanding. I have the smaller "BabyBrute" version of the exact same amp except for having Reverb. Actually, I own THREE with the smaller speaker, two open-back, one closed back. They sound fabulous.

**Greentone** · 03-28-2017, 10:11 AM

Circa 1985 Polytone MiniBrute I amp. One of the world's great jazz guitar amps. It's a solid amp for using with upright bass and electric bass, too, in a jazz trio/quartet format.

I used the Mini Brute I (looked just like that one) back in the late-80s and early-90s. With guitar, I played my Gibson ES-175. The setup sounded like Jim Hall, Herb Ellis, or Joe Pass. With bass, it got a vintage, Ray Brown tone.

Of course, my chops were not Hall/Ellis/Pass/Brown league, but you get the point.

**add4** · 03-28-2017, 02:00 PM

I have the exact same one with red tolex and I'm in love with it. Have fun.

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**add4** · 03-28-2017, 02:52 PM

Out of curiosity. How much did you pay for it?

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joaopaz · 03-28-2017, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by eblydian

Congrats!

well, you need something like this
Alle prese con le prese... - 80GIOVANI.IT - ll giro del mondo in 80 giovani
(my apologies for the totally unrelated page, but it's the best picture I could find)

Try at a computer shop.... I could send you one if I lived in Italy but I don't.

Good luck.

I found a similar adapter- and it's working perfectly! Grazie mille!

joaopaz · 03-28-2017, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by lawson-stone

that generation of Polytones is really outstanding. I have the smaller "BabyBrute" version of the exact same amp except for having Reverb. Actually, I own THREE with the smaller speaker, two open-back, one closed back. They sound fabulous.

Man, you own one of the prettiest collections I came across. Loads of great taste in there!

I just plugged into mine.... quick A/B with my Roland Cube 60 (which sounds great!) and they're so different - my wife, again "that new one sounds warm and full" ...

joaopaz · 03-28-2017, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by Greentone

Circa 1985 Polytone MiniBrute I amp. One of the world's great jazz guitar amps. It's a solid amp for using with upright bass and electric bass, too, in a jazz trio/quartet format.

I used the Mini Brute I (looked just like that one) back in the late-80s and early-90s. With guitar, I played my Gibson ES-175. The setup sounded like Jim Hall, Herb Ellis, or Joe Pass. With bass, it got a vintage, Ray Brown tone.

Of course, my chops were not Hall/Ellis/Pass/Brown league, but you get the point.

Thanks, Greentone.
Now I'm dying to have my Epi ES-175 back to try it out with this amp. That was my intention, to pair them up, the Polytone with my (humble) 175.
The amp sounds great - although I just had the chance to play with it for 10 mins so far (family at home). I have all the knobs centered , have yet to try other settings.

Also... do you know what's that reverse power button about? Is it for polarity? I'm still afraid to touch it, eheh.

joaopaz · 03-28-2017, 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by add4

Out of curiosity. How much did you pay for it?

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I was afraid someone would pop that question...!

So ... I payed for it ... 500 Eur ...

**whiskey02** · 03-28-2017, 06:41 PM

I've got the same amp, circa '89-'90. I find the bright and dark switches, very bright and very dark, you'll probably want to leave it in the middle position. Any reverb pedal you plug into it will blow away the broken reverb that it would have if it left the factory with reverb! Hope you enjoy yours.

**whiskey02** · 03-28-2017, 06:50 PM

Yes, the reverse power is a polarity switch, so if you're getting feedback you can reverse the push / pull direction of the speaker.

joaopaz · 03-28-2017, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by whiskey02

I've got the same amp, circa '89-'90. I find the bright and dark switches, very bright and very dark, you'll probably want to leave it in the middle position. Any reverb pedal you plug into it will blow away the broken reverb that it would have if it left the factory with reverb! Hope you enjoy yours.

The seller mentioned it as being from the 80s - so you guys reports confirm that.

About the switch, I tried it .. briefly, and so far the middle position is my choice; but I think the dark setting may come handy with my Gibson SG, for instance.

Thanks, man!

joaopaz · 03-28-2017, 08:19 PM

...and another hour went by. I may have some complains from the neighbors in the morning (it's 1:16am here) but had to try it. A few chord melodies from Barry Galbraith's book, using my Ibanez AFJ95 with its also new Bare Knuckles "Manhattan" P90.

Man...! This thing sounds so sweet. There's the mids I was looking for! I don't know how to put it but there's a slight "metallic" accent in the mids that go so well with the warmth of the amp.
So far I didn't feel the lack of reverb... at all!

**Naquat** · 03-28-2017, 09:12 PM

I saw a Mini Brute with the logo on the front grill a few days ago in a shop that sells mostly used gear. I'd say it was about 18" tall.

To the OP....looks Good !

**Cunamara** · 03-28-2017, 09:28 PM

Originally Posted by whiskey02

Yes, the reverse power is a polarity switch, so if you're getting feedback you can reverse the push / pull direction of the speaker.

It is a reverse polarity switch, but it probably flips the polarity of the power from the wall to reduce hum, which was standard of Fender amps like the Twin for a long time. Unless the amp is designed unusually (and it's a Polytone so could be), the switch probably does not reverse the amp's polarity to the speaker. Anyone know for sure?

**lawson-stone** · 03-28-2017, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by joaopaz

Man, you own one of the prettiest collections I came across. Loads of great taste in there!

I just plugged into mine.... quick A/B with my Roland Cube 60 (which sounds great!) and they're so different - my wife, again "that new one sounds warm and full" ...

Hmmm now you've given me an idea.

Side-by-side comparisons of several Polytone models...

joaopaz · 03-28-2017, 11:16 PM

Originally Posted by lawson-stone

Hmmm now you've given me an idea.

Side-by-side comparisons of several Polytone models...

That would be great! Coupled with an L5 versus 175 ;-)

**add4** · 03-29-2017, 01:45 AM

Originally Posted by joaopaz

I was afraid someone would pop that question...!

So ... I payed for it ... 500 Eur ...

It's the normal price for à polytone in Europe I'd say. They are rare beasts here

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joaopaz · 03-29-2017, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by add4

It's the normal price for à polytone in Europe I'd say. They are rare beasts here

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Yes, so I was told. The amp is in really good condition, sounds awsome, so I have no complaints!

Incidentally, just spotted another Polytone here in Portugal - but this is seems to be a lot bigger ... it's a Polytone Mini-S15B and they're asking 800 for this one. Seems to be in perfect condition and I have a friend who could be interested in it..any ideas of how this one would sound for jazz guitar, too? Comparatively to the Mini Brute (series)?

**JPG** · 07-23-2020, 06:13 PM

Hi, everyone

I'm the OP of this thread, proud owner of this Mini Brute I - that keeps serving me wonderfully after these 3+ years.

Of all the gear that I accumulated over the years (and that was an awful lot, and not always in a reasonable way) ... these days I use almost always..,,,

* This Polytone Mini Brute I for gigs (and this same Polytone and a Roland Cube 60 at home)
* A 2016/17? Gibson Es-175 (from the CME sale) plus a 2016 Gibson SG and an Epi 175 Premium
* An all-in-one Zoom MS 50G pedal (thank's for the tip, Jorge! B-) )

Yesterday I took this amp for a gig. It was an open space, a big tent (Covid19 precautions). So I took the Polytone, the Gibson 175 and the Zoom pedal. It sounded wonderfully (the setup ... my playing lagging somewhat behind

but.. I had the amp at some 80% volume! It did the job but I was scared, all the time. With the Zoom pedal - stereo output - I sent a line for the mixing board but I'm not sure it even get connected.

So, my question is - two-fold:

1) the amp as a "Main Out" so I could have sent this line instead to the mixing board, right? Is this a direct-out or does it somewhat catches some good vibes from the amp?

2) The extension speaker. I suppose a good cabinet extension could have helped carrying more sound across the space without that much burdon on the amp?

What cabinet would you guys - in your vintage amps expertise - advise for this amp? What would be my best option to get some extra headroom and keep the amp's tone intact?

Thank you, Gents!
Joao

**Hammertone** · 07-23-2020, 08:23 PM

I recommend getting a little switch installed to provide you with the option of disconnecting the speaker that is in the amp when using an external cab. I did this to my Baby Brute soon after getting it. Many Polytones (most of the Brute series, IIRC) have speaker loads rated at 3 ohms, so any 4 ohm cab will be fine, with whatever speaker configuration you like.

**Greentone** · 07-23-2020, 09:14 PM

The volume pot on a Polytone is a linear taper. On a Fender, etc., it is logarithmic taper. On the Polytone 1 is about ten percent power, 4 is 40 percent, etc.

I always set my amp volume at 8 on my Polytone for gigs and adjust the guitar volume to suit. The sound is strong, loud,and clean.

**Greentone** · 07-23-2020, 09:29 PM

Main out is preamp out. It's a line level output that you can run to your PA board.

I use a Polytone extension cabinet so I don't go too low on the total impedance. Don't drop below 3 ohms.

**JPG** · 07-24-2020, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by Hammertone

I recommend getting a little switch installed to provide you with the option of disconnecting the speaker that is in the amp when using an external cab. I did this to my Baby Brute soon after getting it. Many Polytones (most of the Brute series, IIRC) have speaker loads rated at 3 ohms, so any 4 ohm cab will be fine, with whatever speaker configuration you like.

Thanks! Yes, my amp is 3 ohms, 100W. You can see it on the 1st post pics.
That little switch, exactly why did you do it? Is it because of the different impedance of amp and cabinet speakers?
(I'll have to read about impedances a bit.. don't know how this works)

So, if I got it right you're saying I may use a one, two or even four speaker cabinet as long as it is 4 Ohms?