Up for sale, a 1960s Meteor U-45B 1x12” combo amp in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with a footswitch to engage the Tremolo. This rare Japanese-made amp was crafted by Univox in OEM capacity for their little-seen Meteor brand, identical to the Univox-branded combo of the same name. Sparingly little information is available as to the nature of the Meteor brand specifically, but it was likely used by Unichord/Univox for the Japanese domestic market.

This combo features a single channel, three-input design (Guitar, Acc, Aux), delivering 10W of power with simple Volume, Tone, and Tremolo (speed) controls. Surprisingly full-sounding given its form factor, this U-45B offers muscular, expansive lows (enhanced by the relative depth of the cabinet) and punchy, crisp trebles that aren’t overly pointed or brittle. The circuit cascades into creamy, harmonic-rich overdrive around 6 on the dial, thickening up further when diming the amp out. The Tremolo has a strong pulse, only active with the footswitch plugged in, with the knob governing the speed of the effect.

The circuit is very original and recapped as needed, retaining the stock transformers. A three-prong cable has also been installed. Tubes include a matched pair of Toshiba 6BM8s, a 12AX7 and a 6X4 (rectifier). This amp is loaded with a Weber Signature Series Sig12F 12” speaker, designed for early ‘50s Tweed-style tone that accentuates the amp’s overdrive capabilities.

There are just a few small marks on the black tolex, the gray grillcloth is clean, and the Meteor badge is present. The silkscreened graphics on the control plate are pristine, and the original trio of reflector cap knobs is present.

A modern footswitch is included.