The Newcomb M-5 Guitar Amplifier is a vintage tube amplifier produced by Newcomb Audio Products Co., based in Hollywood, California. Newcomb was known primarily for manufacturing high-quality public address systems, phonographs, and amplifiers from the 1940s to the 1970s.

While they were not a household name in guitar amplification like Fender or Marshall, Newcomb amps were often used in schools, churches, and other institutions for audio equipment.

Key Features:

• Model: Newcomb M-5
• Power Output: 4.5 watts
• Controls: One volume and one tone potentiometer
• Speaker: Oval “Viking” speaker
• Design: Simple tube amp design with a single output

Manufacturer Background:

Newcomb Audio Products Co. was active from the 1930s until the 1970s, producing various audio products and amplifiers. The M-5 amplifier is likely from the 1950s or 1960s, based on the design and specifications.

Collectability:

Newcomb amplifiers are not as widely recognized as other vintage brands, but they are valued for their build quality and unique sound. With its low wattage, the M-5 is a rare find, especially for collectors or musicians seeking a vintage sound in a compact, straightforward amp.

This amplifier’s exact production date may be hard to pin down, but it likely falls in the late 1950s to early 1960s, aligning with the peak of Newcomb’s audio equipment production.