Fritz, try using the “PM” button to contact Doug. He may respond to that if he’s not looked in on this thread.

doug, i have an sg-610. all the speakers are cracked and in need of repair. any suggestions? i would also like some information on this amp. do you have a manual? i got it in the early 70s used and i want to get it useable again. thanks’.
fritz

Doug, I would appreciate your further info posted up to the “understanding CMI” sticky thread we have here. That thread gets a lot of hits and enquiries about CMI (both the Chicago and Cleartone versions). Excellent job you’ve done on your combo, BTW 8)

Here’s a photo of the Chicago Musical Instruments SG Systems SG-410 that I had restored. I have a number of jpgs of various CMI amp models that I could post if anyone is interested (as a comparison to the Cleartone marque). They range from the SG-100 to the SG-610. I also have an owner’s manual for these in digital form, circa 1973-74.
Doug
http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh121/geezer_rock/SG410_2.jpg

That Stringdancer thread (thanks for the headsup) starts with a six-channel mixer bought for $5. The man did well; I have a (dead, now) link on pg 2 to a Standel CMI 6-mixer that sold on FleebUS for $167 – 32x what the Stringdancer poster paid for his 🙂

Hello Doug,

$70 for a decent pair of 8417s is doing very well; nice score. I’m glad the original CMI thread helps people out. I must confess I’ve seen things recently that I never got around to uploading. I’ve seen a few “Cleartone” CMI guitars with set-necks, which definitely suggests, high-end Japanese manufacture. A couple of Chicago CMI instruments, too; including a violin and a banjo. The Standel amps have, mainly, been variations on the 8417powered amps with the solid-state, phaser etc preamp. I always keep an eye out, though, and welcome contributions from anyone interested in these marques.

I was fortunate to win a bid on three NOS RCA 8417s on eBay ($70!). Two of them checked out fine. Then I found a 12AX7A, also on eBay, to complete the tube array.

Many thanks to you for your posts beginning in March of 2006. The Cleartone vs Chicago Musical Instruments discussion got me pointed in the right direction with research, and I’m still collecting information on these amps.

In fact, just today I came across a CMI Electronics/SG Systems thread on another forum (StringDancer) and posted a quick reply there. The previous poster had even included a link to your original thread:
https://www.guitarsite.com/hotlicks/about1657.html

Cheers!
Doug

Good of you to check in, Geezer 🙂

Apart from the weight and no “famous user” status, I think the solid-state preamp also helps to keep the prices lower. I have two such hybrids and, although they’re fine for bass, I think a valve preamp is a big improvement for guitar.

As you say, 8417s are pretty much only found on eBay (at high prices, too) and that’s a risky business. I bought a joblot of audio valves and an 8417 was among them; I’ve kept it in the hope that I’ll have an amp that I can stick it in (Lee’s Univalve would do it, of course). Fortunately, setting up the CMI for the readily-available 6550 and KT88 types is pretty straightforward although these valves are not cheap even from Eastern European sources.

$355 is a good price for these, indeed! I wrote the most recent SG-410 review on Harmony Central and realize that as much as I like the amp, I know I wouldn’t get more than $300 or $400 for it, even now that it’s restored to like-new condition. Since SGs weigh in at 100 pounds plus, shipping charges are prohibitive, effectively limiting the potential market to primarily local buyers.

But if you can pick one up for a good price, I’d say go for it. Just be aware that if the power tubes need to be replaced, 8417s are hard to come by. I’ve read that the 8417s have the power of 6550s with drive requirements less than a 6L6GC and that a conversion to another tube is possible, but some power may be lost.

Warning: Don’t try to hoist it into the old minivan by yourself, either! 😯

Yes, higher than usual, myfoot. Maybe the 6×10″ speakers did it but I’m a firm believer in listing an amp cheap and holding your nerve. If it had been listed with a $300 start, it probably wouldn’t have got any bids (or just one).

[quote=”1bassleft”]Here’s a 610 with the original 6×10″s on Fleeb. Watch closely…

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230198635123&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:GB:1123[/quote]

Wow! Went for $355 . Most I’ve seen any go for.

Here’s a 610 with the original 6×10″s on Fleeb. Watch closely…

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230198635123&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:GB:1123

Funny that the cab houses 4×12″s, as SG Systems usually named their gear precisely and the model name indicates 6×10″ drivers. Maybe the baffle board and drivers were replaced at some time.

This Standel head has been doing the rounds for ages:
http://cgi.ebay.com/CMI-Electonics-Tube-Guitar-Head-w-built-in-Phase-Shift_W0QQitemZ140181216330QQihZ004QQcategoryZ118983QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

and, although his BIN has dropped to $600, no-one has ever placed a starting $300 on it on previous listings. Knowledge on these is pretty limited, but here’s some reviews of the SG410:

http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/product/CMI+Electronics/SG+410/10/1

and, for valuation, somewhere around $200 is my guess although it may be worth more to you. Does it have the 8417 power valves or have they been changed to 6550s or KT90s?

I’ve never seen one on ebay go for more than a few hundred dollars. I have a model with just 1 15 inch speaker and I gave $100 for it. I haven’t looked on there in a while and I don’t recall ever seeing that particular model but 1bassleft may chime in here.He’s interested in these 😛