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Post subject: Sidekick Switcher
Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 7:11 pm
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I just purchased a Sidekick Switcher (S/N 102304) for $5. The seller is 13 years old and said it was 20 years old when he was born and belonged to his grandfather. If this is accurate info the amp should be from approximately 1977-78.
It looks and sounds pretty good but has a loose connection or two in the dials/switches that will need some attention; Volume jumps up and down; snap, crackle, pop etc. It also has a foot switch that's factory wired to the amp.

I am seeking any info that anyone can give me on this series of amp. Years of manufacture, user satisfaction, specs, original and current value etc. Anything you can give is greatly appreciated!

Stonecold :shock:


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Post subject: Re: Sidekick Switcher
Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 9:15 pm
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Stonecold wrote:
I just purchased a Sidekick Switcher (S/N 102304) for $5. The seller is 13 years old and said it was 20 years old when he was born and belonged to his grandfather. If this is accurate info the amp should be from approximately 1977-78.
It looks and sounds pretty good but has a loose connection or two in the dials/switches that will need some attention; Volume jumps up and down; snap, crackle, pop etc. It also has a foot switch that's factory wired to the amp.

I am seeking any info that anyone can give me on this series of amp. Years of manufacture, user satisfaction, specs, original and current value etc. Anything you can give is greatly appreciated!

Stonecold :shock:


The imported Sidekick series actually dates to the 82-87 era, spanning the years when Fender made no amps at all in the US. They were originally made in Japan, switching to Taiwanese manufacture late in the production run. There were several models -- all combos rated between 15 and 65 watts. I owned a Sidekick Switcher 35......dual channel, 35 watts, 1 x 12 configuration. I bought it new in '87 and kept it until 2004, with a trouble-free history during the entire time I owned it. The only discrepancy ever noted with it was, the "reverb" and "presence" controls were transposed on the front panel. For what it was, it sounded pretty good and I wish I'd kept it.

HTH

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Sidekick amp
Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 9:22 pm
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Hi Stonecold,

This might be the one you are talking about. If it's the Taiwan amp that came with the Squier Strat, I don't think that they made them until '82 or after. The ad says discontinued, but there are some specs and reviews.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-Sidekick-Amp?sku=480618

You might also try posting on the Squier forum here.

http://www.fender.com/community/forums/viewforum.php?f=15

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Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


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Post subject: Re: Sidekick Switcher
Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 7:57 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
Stonecold wrote:
I just purchased a Sidekick Switcher (S/N 102304) for $5. The seller is 13 years old and said it was 20 years old when he was born and belonged to his grandfather. If this is accurate info the amp should be from approximately 1977-78.
It looks and sounds pretty good but has a loose connection or two in the dials/switches that will need some attention; Volume jumps up and down; snap, crackle, pop etc. It also has a foot switch that's factory wired to the amp.

I am seeking any info that anyone can give me on this series of amp. Years of manufacture, user satisfaction, specs, original and current value etc. Anything you can give is greatly appreciated!

Stonecold :shock:


The imported Sidekick series actually dates to the 82-87 era, spanning the years when Fender made no amps at all in the US. They were originally made in Japan, switching to Taiwanese manufacture late in the production run. There were several models -- all combos rated between 15 and 65 watts. I owned a Sidekick Switcher 35......dual channel, 35 watts, 1 x 12 configuration. I bought it new in '87 and kept it until 2004, with a trouble-free history during the entire time I owned it. The only discrepancy ever noted with it was, the "reverb" and "presence" controls were transposed on the front panel. For what it was, it sounded pretty good and I wish I'd kept it.

HTH

Arjay




Thanks for the info and speedy reply Retroverbial! That all makes sense. Mine was made in Tawain, has a 12"speaker and the cabinet dimensions are 16"H X 16 1/4"W X 9"D. Across the front panel are the following controls L to R: Volume, Treble, Bass, Inputs 1 & 2 with Channel A & B LED's above them, Volume, Gain, Master, Treble, Middle,Bass, Presence, Reverb and the on off toggle switch.
I've looked for wattage specs but see no indication anywhere. Is there perhaps a numerical code somewhere on the amplifier?

Thanks again,
Stonecold


Last edited by Stonecold on Fri Oct 01, 2010 8:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Sidekick amp
Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 8:03 pm
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shimmilou wrote:
Hi Stonecold,

This might be the one you are talking about. If it's the Taiwan amp that came with the Squier Strat, I don't think that they made them until '82 or after. The ad says discontinued, but there are some specs and reviews.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-Sidekick-Amp?sku=480618

You might also try posting on the Squier forum here.

http://www.fender.com/community/forums/viewforum.php?f=15


Hi Shimmilou,
Thanks for the reply. It's not the exact amp but does look somewhat similar. Mine is bigger and has two badges on the grill. "Fender" on the top left and "SIDEKICK SWITCHER" on the top right.

I'll post a couple of pics when I get a chance.


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Post subject: Re: Sidekick Switcher
Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2010 1:55 am
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Stonecold wrote:
[Thanks for the info and speedy reply Retroverbial! That all makes sense. Mine was made in Tawain, has a 12"speaker and the cabinet dimensions are 16"H X 16 1/4"W X 9"D. Across the front panel are the following controls L to R: Volume, Treble, Bass, Inputs 1 & 2 with Channel A & B LED's above them, Volume, Gain, Master, Treble, Middle,Bass, Presence, Reverb and the on off toggle switch.
I've looked for wattage specs but see no indication anywhere. Is there perhaps a numerical code somewhere on the amplifier?

Thanks again,
Stonecold


Are your presence and reverb controls transposed on the front panel too, Stonecold?

From your description, it sounds exactly like the model I owned. I believe these amps were rated at 35 watts. It was mighty loud for such a small package.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: Sidekick Switcher
Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2010 8:59 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
Stonecold wrote:
[Thanks for the info and speedy reply Retroverbial! That all makes sense. Mine was made in Tawain, has a 12"speaker and the cabinet dimensions are 16"H X 16 1/4"W X 9"D. Across the front panel are the following controls L to R: Volume, Treble, Bass, Inputs 1 & 2 with Channel A & B LED's above them, Volume, Gain, Master, Treble, Middle,Bass, Presence, Reverb and the on off toggle switch.
I've looked for wattage specs but see no indication anywhere. Is there perhaps a numerical code somewhere on the amplifier?

Thanks again,
Stonecold


Are your presence and reverb controls transposed on the front panel too, Stonecold?

From your description, it sounds exactly like the model I owned. I believe these amps were rated at 35 watts. It was mighty loud for such a small package.

Arjay



Yes, I believe you are correct on all accounts! And it is very loud for its size!!!

Thanks,

Stonecold


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