There is a new website that I’ve come across that deals exclusively with Roost amps. They’ve got schematics and loads of photos on the site. It’s about time! http://www.renton-world.com/roost/

Hi, [email protected] Terry

hi,, I have a FAL 120 watt amp, (it also has the word MERLIN written on it).. I’m trying to sell it as my parents are moving home and its too bulky to move around with them… any ideas what kind of price I should ask?? and where I might find a buyer? marc [email protected] 07940 800 835 ——————————— ——————————— : Hi All, : Roost sound equipment was started back in 1972 by Brian Roost (hence the name) and Ron bailey, who were both local musicians based in Southend-On-Sea, Essex, they were also at the time fixing amps for the local music shops and bands. The Roost amp is similar to the Hi Watt amplifier with a little bit of the early 100W Sound City amp throwen for good mesure. The early amps also used Sound City transformers, as Sound City were also built in Southend at the same time. The Early amps had a black engraved front panel similar to the Hi Watt amplifier; the circuitry was built on tag panels, whilst the later amplifiers had black screen-printed metal front panel; and the circuitry was then built on a Printed Circuit Board. : The range consisted of 50, 100 & 150 Watt amp heads with the option of reverb, the later units had a master volume control, there was also a range of 2×12 50 & 100 Watt combo amplifiers, both available with reverb, there was also a range of speakers to go with the amplifiers 2×12, 4×12, 1×15 & 2×15 early units had Fane speakers but the later units had Celestion speakers, there was also the option of EV as well. : The amplifiers were of a rugged construction with a hefty steel chassis and large transformers, the 50 and 100W amplifiers gave a good 50 & 100 Watts RMS output, whilst the 150 Watt gave 125 Watts but it did have six EL34’s (viz Sound City 120 head). The circuit was well engineered and gave the typical British valve sound. The driver and output stage gave a lot of grunt, typical of the Hi Watt and Sound City circuits. I remember the 120 Watt amp with its six EL34’s making a good Bass amp, whilst the 50 watt really “sung” : : I first got involved in Roost in 1975, whilst at school, and looking for bits (transformers chassis etc) to build my own guitar amplifier, I went on to spent that summer working at Roost, and in exchange they gave me parts to build my own amplifiers, I went on to join Roost full time the next year when I left school, the experience I gained working at Roost building Roost amplifiers & fixing + hotting up other makes of amplifiers is invaluable even to this day, Roost never had more than eight employees, in fact when I joined there were only four employees including me. : Roost was sold in 1980 to FAL who were based in Leeds, I was also made redundant when Roost was sold, and so I moved on, I now work for a local Hi-fi company as a design engineer, but I still fix and work on valve amplifiers for local musicians. : Sadly I do not have a Roost amplifier and I would love to see one or even own one again. If you want more info or just want to ask questions don’t hesitate to contact me : : :

: Hi All, : I have a Roost Session Master that has the screen printed control panel and the circuit on tag strips. It was origonally built as a 4by12" combo with 25watt Fane speakers, but I have removed the head from the speakers for ease of transport and also removed two power tubes to tame the beast; it sounds amazing! This amp lives in australia, although I am currently working in the U.K. and would love to track down one to use over here, anyone have one for sale? These follow ups are little awkward to send, so sorry if I have put my name to other peoples words-woops; my mistake. : : :

: Hi All, : Roost sound equipment was started back in 1972 by Brian Roost (hence the name) and Ron bailey, who were both local musicians based in Southend-On-Sea, Essex, they were also at the time fixing amps for the local music shops and bands. The Roost amp is similar to the Hi Watt amplifier with a little bit of the early 100W Sound City amp throwen for good mesure. The early amps also used Sound City transformers, as Sound City were also built in Southend at the same time. The Early amps had a black engraved front panel similar to the Hi Watt amplifier; the circuitry was built on tag panels, whilst the later amplifiers had black screen-printed metal front panel; and the circuitry was then built on a Printed Circuit Board. : The range consisted of 50, 100 & 150 Watt amp heads with the option of reverb, the later units had a master volume control, there was also a range of 2×12 50 & 100 Watt combo amplifiers, both available with reverb, there was also a range of speakers to go with the amplifiers 2×12, 4×12, 1×15 & 2×15 early units had Fane speakers but the later units had Celestion speakers, there was also the option of EV as well. : The amplifiers were of a rugged construction with a hefty steel chassis and large transformers, the 50 and 100W amplifiers gave a good 50 & 100 Watts RMS output, whilst the 150 Watt gave 125 Watts but it did have six EL34’s (viz Sound City 120 head). The circuit was well engineered and gave the typical British valve sound. The driver and output stage gave a lot of grunt, typical of the Hi Watt and Sound City circuits. I remember the 120 Watt amp with its six EL34’s making a good Bass amp, whilst the 50 watt really “sung” : : I first got involved in Roost in 1975, whilst at school, and looking for bits (transformers chassis etc) to build my own guitar amplifier, I went on to spent that summer working at Roost, and in exchange they gave me parts to build my own amplifiers, I went on to join Roost full time the next year when I left school, the experience I gained working at Roost building Roost amplifiers & fixing + hotting up other makes of amplifiers is invaluable even to this day, Roost never had more than eight employees, in fact when I joined there were only four employees including me. : Roost was sold in 1980 to FAL who were based in Leeds, I was also made redundant when Roost was sold, and so I moved on, I now work for a local Hi-fi company as a design engineer, but I still fix and work on valve amplifiers for local musicians. : Sadly I do not have a Roost amplifier and I would love to see one or even own one again. If you want more info or just want to ask questions don’t hesitate to contact me : : :

i have the cance to buy a roost amp for 30 punds sterling,but i dont know what model it is it has 2*12" speakers and is 100 watts is it woth it and what are they worth. cheers fromn dave hope to hear from u soon.

The only information I have on ROOST is that I worked in a band during the 70’s with Mike Ward who I beleive was had the USA distribution rights for ROOST.

: Hi All, : I have just come about a mint condition 2×12 Roost speaker cab fitted with McKenzie speaker cones for 15 quid. Does anyone have any info on McKenzie, how do they rate with Fane Cressendo etc. I was under the impression that Roost used Fanes , they obviously didn’t with there 2×12 cabs. This is a really nic cab with funky silver grill cloth and great Hiwatt esque Roost logo. Top!!!

I’ve just bought a Roost amplifier. It says ‘session master’ on the front and is in 2×12 combo format, with Celestions. It has four input sockets, two normal and two brilliant. It weighs a ton but looks really cool. I’m having difficulty getting a good clean sound though. I think it’s been left in a garage for some time so it may need some TLC. Any advice?