Earth Sound Research Concertmaster?

[Bytor1975]

Any of you guys ever use/own any Earth Sound Research gear? I guess my 'tech' question here is really just any information or personal history with their gear, as I can't find hardly anything about them.

What I have is a 400 watt Earth Sound Research Concertmaster P.A. Mixer Amp, Model 340. I don't have a clue to how old it is (I'm guessing mid to late 70's?), but it is solid state, 4 channels with two 1/4 inputs on each channel, and reverb built in.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/bytor1975/junk/earth_head.gif
I got this thing out of the garbage from a church I was attending about 11 years ago. They told me it got hit by lightning so they were chucking it. I asked if they mind if I took it, and they said no problem. It wound up that it just had dirty pots, and after a good cleaning with some contact cleaner, I have been using it in my music room for 11 years now.

Any of you guys ever run across one, or some other gear by them? Obviously they have been out of business for some time, and it looks like they made some bass and guitar amps, as well as some pedals. I don't know if their stuff was considered decent gear or junk, but the price was right for me and it has worked out really great here at the house.

Anyhow... just fishing for some thoughts and information that any of you might be able to give me about the brand! :thumbsup:

[vintage_brat]

Hey Jason.... it should be mid 70's like you said.. ive seen them around. just not often... Next time you have the chassis out check the pots. they will have a date code on them that will tell you more.
From what I remember they were like alamo amps.. were very good but didnt go over the greatest due to the market being flooded at the time.

I keep thinkin either Sunn or Kustom had their hands in the earth brand. but im not sure... I do know who to ask at the shop tomorrow though.... prolly have an answer for you tomorrow nite.
VB

[Bytor1975]

Thanks man. Just something I'd like to know. I hate having a piece of gear here that I know nothing about!

[vintage_brat]

Thanks man. Just something I'd like to know. I hate having a piece of gear here that I know nothing about!
Yw.. but im not goin there on that one.. :lol: :cracking
I cant find out much about my wife either. :thumbsup:

[PSMusic]

HELLO -

Delighted to see the photo you posted of your ESR Concertmaster. I own the exact same model. My parents bought it new in about 1973 in a music store in San Antonio, Texas along with two PA cabinets, each with 4 10" speakers, and gave it to me as a Christmas gift. I used it for years (up until about 5 years ago, in fact) playing in small bands and solo. For what it is, it did a very good job and I never had any problems with it at all.

These days I prefer to use low impedence gear that offers so much less feedback and is smaller and easier to tote around for the same power. So this PA is tucked away in my attic not seeing much use. It is still great equipment though, in my opinion, for an application such as an electronic keyboard or something else where no live mics are involved, hence no feedback issues. Sure is big and heavy though!

If the right person came along with a nostalgic bent and a checkbook I'd be glad to see it getting some use somewhere. Till then, I'll keep it safe in my attic. It's been well treated and still looks about 95% as new as it did the day it came home from the store.

I've attached a 1978 photo which shows the PA Head and one cabinet in the background. If you're interested in current shots of the whole PA, just email me and I'll pull it out and snap some decent digital photos to send you.

All the best,
DANIEL
daniel@danielboling.com

[Bytor1975]

Daniel, thanks for the post. I really appreciate it and love the picture.

I really like the unit, as it has served me well. Right now it is just pushing two monitors in my music room, and I run my CD player and Computer through it for jamming. Only thing wrong with mine is the reverb doesn't work.

Maybe mine is a bit older than I thought? I wonder what the production range for that model was. I have came up empty finding out much about it on the web.

Anyhow, thanks for jumping in on this thread, and welcome to the site!

[WireNWood]

I keep thinkin either Sunn or Kustom had their hands in the earth brand...VB


Look at the knobs and faceplate.

A Peavey by any other name....



http://i9.ebayimg.com/01/i/05/27/6c/fb_1.JPG

[Bytor1975]

Dang Ray. That is quite uncanny. Hmmmm.....

[WireNWood]

I've seen plenty of old Peaveys that were even closer than this one. That's just the best pic I could steal on short notice.