Sho-Bud Compactra 100 Custom tube amplifier built by Evans

[Don Wright]

As I understand it, Jim Evans built less than 40 of these Compactra 100 Custom tube amps for Sho-Bud between 1965 - 1969.
Mr. Evans would build the tube amplifiers in Texas and then ship the completed chassis to Sho-Bud in Nashville where they were inserted into a cabinet with a 15" speaker (by Trusonic of Pasadena, CA). This particular cabinet features black tuck & roll upholstery that was done (as I understand the story) by an auto seatcover shop near the Sho-Bud "factory".
I haven't had much luck uploading pictures to the Forum, but I'll give it another shot. If it doesn't work, please email me for pics. (dwright@marzguitars.com)
I am selling this amp for an older steel player and he is asking $750. I don't know if that's a fair price because I have never seen another one of these for sale and I've been on the Forum for about 7 years.
The amp works - and so does the reverb - and it still has the original 2-prong power cord. It could probably use a good servicing but it's really a clean example.

[Don Wright]

I have lot's of good pics of this amp but I can't get them to upload properly and post. Any help would be appreciated.

[Marc Jenkins]

Here you go, Don. They were too big, just needed to be resized.

[Chris Lucker]

I will bump this to the top simply because I like these amplifiers a lot. Great for standard guitar as well as pedal steel.

[Joel McCoy]

This exact amp seems to be for sale up in Seattle now...for a hefty price too...

[Terry Miller]

Don email sent.

[Chris Lucker]

When people write about the fender champs used on the Derek and the Dominos album, the never mention the Compactras.

[Charlie Shifflett]

Chris Charlie here A few years ago I bought Some old Emmons pedals if you remember ? now I am looking for some one that might no where I may find power transistors for Peavey LTD 400 ge made g2188 C7710 or cross reference any help aprè. Thanks Charlie
P/S I checked with Peavey they didn't have any?
The repairman there has not called me Charlie

[Lee Warren]

Hi Chris,
I'm not aware of the Compactra connection with Derek and the Dominos.
Do you have any info or links that you could share?
I have one of these amps, and would love to know anything about their history.
Thanks in advance!
Lee

[Chris Lucker]

I got it from an Eric Clapton interview way back when in some guitar magazine that also had photographs of the studio amps being used. One thing Eric Clapton did say is that he also tried the amps at Shot Jackson's Sho-Bud shop when he was buying up Stratocasters. But the amps were no longer being made at that time, so they must have been used.

[Lee Warren]

Thanks Chris, that's an interesting tidbit!
Lee

[Johnny Cox]

Great amp, tone to the bone. Wish I could afford it.

[Geoff Cline]

Very cool to learn about the Clapton/Layla connection.

I have serial no. 2045 (head only) which has a number of interesting adjustment points and etched markings all over the chassis (a shop model or prototype). There is a thread in the Electronics section.

Well deserved bump for a great sounding amp. They don't make like this any more.

[Chris Lucker]

I don't know if yours is a prototype. I have had a number of Compactras over the years and have three now. They all have had the engraving pen writing on the chassis. They are all a little different. I have one that has a smaller cabinet, buy I think someone trimmed the cabinet down because they are larger than they need to be. The chassis were made in Texas and the cabinets were made somewhere nearer to Sho-Bud and they were joined at the Sho Bud shop.

[Curtis Alford]

Charlie,
Mouser Electronics, Dallas.
I'm not at the shop now but needed I can get you the parts number, .I think

[Abe Levy]

Hi there -

Is the compactra still available? If so are offers being considered?

Thanks,
Abe

[Johnny Cox]

Bump for a great amp.

[Charlie Shifflett]

Thanks Curtis
Im not sure if that's my trouble the amp does lose power after playing a whole so I might have to find another 40 LTD regards Charlie

[Don Griffiths]

I'm trying to remember where I read of Jerry Garcia playing with a Shobud Amp, unfortunately I don't think it mentioned the model. I'd find it hard to believe he wouldn't have chosen the tube model .