Up for sale, a 1960s Ace Tone Model 201 1x8” combo amp in excellent condition and in perfect working order. Ace Tone was the first company founded by legendary Japanese inventor/engineer/entrepreneur Ikutaro Kakehashi, just over a decade before he would go on to start the Roland Corporation. Widely considered an early incarnation (or at least direct predecessor) of Roland, Ace Tone is perhaps best known for their pioneering drum machines, synthesizers, and electric keyboards/organs, but they also produced a line of amplifiers and effects pedals, including this Model 201.

Despite its small stature, this amp is feature-rich, essentially expanding a Fender Champ’s simple Class A circuit with on-board spring-driven Reverb and Tremolo. The clean tone is smooth and sweet, with a dynamic, touch-sensitive quality and just a touch of creamy breakup when fully cranked up. The Tremolo is thick and pulsating, and the Reverb has a splashy quality, maximizing the potential of the small tank.

This Model 201 benefits from a full recap of all electrolytics and signal caps, also converted to run reliably on 120v USA power. Both original transformers are present, as is the original Ace Tone 8” speaker. The tube complement comprises a Matsushita 6GW8 power tube, Electro-Harmonix 12AX7, and Toshiba 8F.

The amp retains its fawn covering and black striped grillcloth, complete with raised Ace Tone badge. The back panel has a built-in folking kickstand (very cool), and there is only light wear on the enclosure edges. The faceplate has pristine graphics, and the original knobs are intact.