Selmer Truevoice T+B Fifty Crocskin – A British pioneer of tube amplifiers
The Selmer Truevoice T+B Fifty Crocskin is a rare, characterful tube amplifier from the early era of British amplifier culture. Produced in the late 1950s to early 1960s by the London-based company Selmer, this amp was one of the pioneers before names like Vox or Marshall gained worldwide fame. Particularly striking is the model’s distinctive „Crocskin“ tolex – a embossed, crocodile-like cover material that still gives it the status of an optical and acoustic boutique piece of jewelry to this day.
Two sound worlds in the Selmer Truevoice T+B Fifty Crocskin: Treble and Bass
The T+B suffix stands for „Treble and Bass“, a reference to the two separate channels or input characteristics. The treble channel delivers a bright, cutting tone, while the bass channel sounds warmer and fuller – both can be creatively combined or „jumped“ to produce rich, dynamic sound colors in conjunction with a Les Paul or Stratocaster.
Sound characterFrom Clean to Crunch
Equipped with EL34 power tubes and a typical preamp with ECC83 tubes, the T+B Fifty produces an output of about 30–50 watts, making it interesting for both small clubs and studios. The amplifier delivers a clear, open clean tone that boasts plenty of character and „British bite“. If you turn it up further, a warm, soft tube overdrive is created with natural compression and slight „bubbling“ in the mids, as you would expect from early British amps.
Independence: No Vox, no Marshall – a real Selmer
What makes the Crocskin Selmer special is its independence: it doesn’t sound like a Vox, not like a Marshall, but like a real Selmer – sweet, open, charmingly „underpowered“, with a lot of musical presence. The tone control is simple but effective, the articulation direct and dynamic. This makes it ideal for vintage blues, early rock’n’roll styles, surf, beat music or experimental indie rock.
Design and rarity of the Selmer Truevoice T+B Fifty Crocskin: A gem for collectors
Collectors and vintage enthusiasts particularly appreciate the hand-wired construction, high-quality workmanship, and of course the iconic design with the „Crocskin“ finish, gold-colored grille fabric, and the famous Selmer logo. These amps are extremely rare today, especially in their original condition – making them coveted objects for players and collectors alike.
Summary: Selmer Truevoice T+B Fifty Crocskin – British vintage magic in reptilian style
The Selmer Truevoice T+B Fifty Crocskin is a unique tube amplifier with its own sound and style, which impresses with vintage warmth, boutique looks and dynamic playing enjoyment. For anyone looking for a British classic outside the mainstream – with soul, rarity value and authentic tone – this amplifier is a real gem.
Technical features of the Selmer Truevoice T+B Fifty Crocskin
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Model | Selmer Truevoice T+B Fifty Crocskin |
| Production period | Late 1950s to early 1960s |
| Origin | London, United Kingdom |
| Performance | Approximately 30–50 watts |
| End-stage tubes | EL34 |
| Pre-stage tubes | ECC83 |
| Channels | 2 (Treble & Bass) |
| Housing material | Crocskin-Tolex (faux leather with crocodile pattern) |
| Sound character | Clear clean, warm overdrive, British tone with vintage bite |
| Design features | Gold-colored grill cloth, Selmer logo, boutique-style appearance |
| Special features | Handwired, extremely rare, unique sound |
| Field of application | Studio, smaller stages, vintage-oriented musical styles |

