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Thread: Sidekick Tube 10R - request for info

  1. #1
    Forum Member Putto's Avatar
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    Sidekick Tube 10R - request for info

    Hi everyone,

    I just scored an old Fender Sidekick Tube 10R. It’s pretty cool - 12ax7 preamp, spring reverb, made in Japan in the mid 80s. It seems to be pretty rare and I’m having trouble tracking down a manual and schematic. Fender couldn’t help and sent me a manual for the full SS Sidekicks.

    I was wondering if anyone here had one or could point me in the right direction?

    Many thanks :)

  2. #2
    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
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    Re: Sidekick Tube 10R - request for info

    You're lucky you got *anything* at all from FMIC regarding the Sidekick line of amps.

    Fender pretty much disavowed any admission that they actually sold such gear since it represented such a dark era of their existence. I had a Sidekick Switcher (from 1988, made in Taiwan) and it was a real nice practice amp. Wish I'd kept it......
    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

  3. #3
    Forum Member Putto's Avatar
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    Re: Sidekick Tube 10R - request for info

    Quote Originally Posted by phantomman View Post
    You're lucky you got *anything* at all from FMIC regarding the Sidekick line of amps.

    Fender pretty much disavowed any admission that they actually sold such gear since it represented such a dark era of their existence. I had a Sidekick Switcher (from 1988, made in Taiwan) and it was a real nice practice amp. Wish I'd kept it......
    Thanks Phantomman.

    This series does seem to have disappeared without much of a trace, which is a shame because it both looks and sounds really cool. There was a Tube 30R as well but no info there either…

    Cheers

  4. #4
    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
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    Re: Sidekick Tube 10R - request for info

    I'm thinking that the Sidekick Tube models were for markets other than the US as I've never seen nor heard of them. If you can swing it, how about posting a pic or two?
    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

  5. #5
    Forum Member Putto's Avatar
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    Re: Sidekick Tube 10R - request for info

    Yes, these were originally for the Japanese market only and appear to have been made by Elk. Hopefully these image links work (I don't seem to be able to attach photos by the methods in the FAQ). If not, I'll try another way later.....




    Cheers
    Last edited by Putto; 08-06-2022 at 05:09 AM. Reason: Fixing links

  6. #6
    Forum Member Michael Smith's Avatar
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    Re: Sidekick Tube 10R - request for info

    I'm not seeing any photos. You need to post them to an image hosting site then paste the link to that site here in your response. I use Imgur.com. See attached screen shot as to how I copy and paste the link.

    "When You're Riding Down the Highway at Night, And You're Feeling that Wild Turkey's Bite" ZZ Top

  7. #7
    Forum Member Putto's Avatar
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    Re: Sidekick Tube 10R - request for info

    Apologies. I thought I'd done that but must have stuffed up the link. Now fixed. Thanks Michael.

  8. #8
    Forum Member Michael Smith's Avatar
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    Re: Sidekick Tube 10R - request for info

    I see your photos now. I'm curious what your standard voltage is in Australia? The amp is rated for 100Volts, 50 or 60HZ. I wonder how it would sound thru a 2 x 10" or 2 x 12" 8 ohm cabinet? For my 1979 Vibro Champ which came with the crappy 8 inch speaker, I built a 2 x 10" cabinet and it sounds really big (for a Vibro Champ).

    "When You're Riding Down the Highway at Night, And You're Feeling that Wild Turkey's Bite" ZZ Top

  9. #9
    Forum Member Putto's Avatar
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    Re: Sidekick Tube 10R - request for info

    It’s 240V here so I need a step down transformer for the time being. At some point, I’ll switch the power transformer to 240 and add a speaker out.

    Cheers

  10. #10
    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
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    Re: Sidekick Tube 10R - request for info

    The OEM speaker looks a little meager IMO.

    You might try replacing it with an Eminence Copperhead or a Ragin' Cajun.

    Celestion's G10L (if you can find one) might also improve things.

    Check the existing speaker's impedance before ordering anything.
    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

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