Ace Tone

Ace Tone TOP-1

Ace Electronic Industries Inc., or Ace Tone was a manufacturer of musical instruments, including electronic organs and analogue drum machines, and effects pedals. Founded in 1960 by Ikutaro Kakehashi with an investment by Sakata Shokai, Ace Tone can be considered an early incarnation of the Roland Corporation, which was also founded by Kakehashi.^[1] Ace Tone began manufacturing amplifiers in 1963.^[1]

Products

Electronic Keyboards

Clavioline

• Canary S-2 (1962) — Vacuum tube clavioline, exhibited on 1964 Summer NAMM, but not released.^{[2][Media 1]}
• Canary S-3 (Three legs) — Transistor clavioline^{[3][4][Media 2][5]}

Combo Organ

• TOP-1^[3][5] (1968 or 1969)^[6]
• TOP-3 (Phenix)^[4] (1965)^[6]
• TOP-4 (Phenix)
• TOP-5^[6] (c. 1969)
• TOP-6 (c. 1972)^[6][7]
• TOP-7^[6]
• TOP-8^[6]
• TOP-9^{[3][Media 3]} (1968 or 1969)^[6]
• GT-2 (c. 1975)^[8] — predecessor of Hammond X-2 (c. 1978) and possibly Hammond B-100W (c. 1983)
• GT-5 (c. 1971)^{[8][Media 4]} — predecessor of Ace Tone X-3/X-3W (c. 1978) and possibly Hammond B-250W (c. 1983)
• GT-7^{[7][Media 5]} (1971)^[6] — predecessor of Hammond X-5 (c. 1978) and Hammond B-200 (c. 1980).
• X-3/X-3W (c. 1978)^[9][10] — although model name evokes Hammond X series, it was shipped under Ace Tone brand.

combo organ accessories

• OR-30 Transistorized Bench Amplifier^[3][6]
• PK-2 Organ Bass Pedals^{[3][Media 3]}
• Expander/Expression Pedal EXP-4^{[7][8][10][11]}
• HP-10 Headphone (for combo organ)^[7][8][10]
• HP-20 Headphone^[7][8][10]

Home Organ

Ace Tone unknown  home organ model. (possibly Ace 3000 in the 1970s)

• TO-S1 (c. 1966)^[4]
• A-122
• B-422^{[Media 6]}
• B-5
• C-422S
• Ace 1000 / 2000 / 3000 (c. 1970s) — designed based on Hammond Cadette series. Ace 3000 has built-in cassette recorder on the lower right.^[12]

Organs (OEM)

National SX-601 (1963) exhibited at Roland Corporation Hamamatsu Lab.

Hammond VS-300 Cadette (1973–?)

• National (Panasonic) SX-601 (1963)^[4][5]
• Hammond VS-300 Cadette (1973–?) — although early Cadettes was built in Japan by Yamaha/Nippon Gakki, later models in the United Kingdom was built by Ace Tone/Nihon Hammond.^{[Note 1][Note 2]}
• Hammond F 1000 / 2000 / 3000 (1970s) — these models built in England in the 1970s, were variations of Ace 1000 / 2000 / 3000 designed & built in Japan, based on Hammond Cadette series.^[12]

Electronic Piano

• AP-100 Electronic Piano^[8]

Synthesizers

• Multistrings SY-5^{[Media 7]}
• PS-1000 Monosynth^{[10][Media 8]} (1975) — similar to Roland SH-3/SH-3A (1974)

Effects

• Analog Delay EH-50^[10]
• Analog Delay EH-100^[10]
• Echo Chamber EC-1^[3]
• Reverb/Echo Chamber EC-10 Professional Echo^[7]
• Echo Chamber EC-20^{[8][10][Media 9]}
• FUZZ/BOOSTER
• Fuzz Master FM-1 (c. 1966-68)
• Fuzz Master FM-2 (c. 1968-)^{[3][7][8][10][11]}
• Fuzz Master FM-3 (c. 1971-)^[8][10]
• Graphic Equalizer QH-100^[10]
• Stereo Phasor LH-100^[10]
• Twin Ace FW-1 (Fuzz + Wah)^{[8][10][Media 10]}
• Wah Master WM-1^{[3][7][8][10][11][Media 11]}

Drum Machines

FR-2L / Hammond Auto

FR-3

• R1 Rhythm Ace (Push button percussion)^[3] (1964) ^[2][13]
• Rhythm Ace R-3   (1966)^[4]
• Rhythm Ace FR-1^[3][5] (1967) ^{[Note 3][A][H]}
• Rhythm Ace FR-2L^{[3][7] [A][H]}
• Auto Rhythm FR-2D ^[S][H]
• Rhythm Ace FR-3^[3][5] (c. 1967) ^[A][H],[R]
• Rhythm Ace FR-3S ^[M]
• Rhythm Ace FR-4 ^[M]
• Rhythm Ace FR-6/FR-6P^[7][8][10] (c. 1972^[5] or 1974) ^[A][S]
• Rhythm Ace FR-6M ^[M]
• Rhythm Ace FR-7M
• Rhythm Producer FR-7L ^[R][H]
• Rhythm Producer FR-8L^{[8][10] [A][M]}
• Rhythm Ace FR-13
• Rhythm Producer FR-15^[10] (1975) — partly programmable rhythm machine^{[Media 12][Media 13]}
• Rhythm Ace FR-20 (Floor type)^[3]
• Rhythm Ace FR-30 (Floor type)^[3]
• Rhythm Ace FR-60 (Floor type)^[7][8][10]
• Rhythm Ace FR-70 (Floor type)^[7][8]
• Rhythm FEVER FR-106^{[Media 14] [S]}
• Hammond Auto-Vari 64 (AV-64)^{[8][10] [A][H]}

Note: Rhythm Ace series were known to be shipped under multiple brands as following:

Since 1967, Hammond Organ Company distributed Rhythm Ace under Hammond brand.

Hammond Auto-Vari 64
(based on Roland Rhythm 77)

[A][H] Ace Tone model also shipped from Hammond.

• Ace Tone FR-2L ⇒ Hammond Auto (1972)^{[Media 15]}
• Ace Tone FR-3   ⇒ Hammond Rhythm 2^{[Media 15]}

[R][H] Hammond shipped far improved model based on Roland's improved model.

• Ace Tone FR-7L ⇒ Roland Rhythm 77 (1972) ⇒ Hammond Auto-Vari 64 (1974)^{[Media 15]}

[S][H] Hammond models manufactured by Nihon Hammond.

In the 1970s, possibly several models were also distributed under Multivox brand by Sorkin Music, an early general agent of Ace Tone in the United States.^{[Media 16]} On the other hand, late-1970s models such as Multivox FR-3 seem to share several similarity with Korg Minipops.^{[Note 4]}

[M]     Multivox models

[A][M] Also shipped from Multivox

In the mid-1970s, “ACE TONE” brand was taken over by Sakata/Nihon Hammond.^{[Note 2]}

[S]     Sakata/Nihhon Hammond models

[A][S] Also shipped from Sakata/Nihhon Hammond.

In 1972, Kakehashi left Ace Electronics and established Roland Corporation.

Roland Rhythm 77
(based on FR-7L)

[R]     Roland released improved models in 1972:

• Ace Tone FR-3L ⇒ Roland Rhythm 33 (1972, TR-33)
• Ace Tone FR-7L ⇒ Roland Rhythm 77 (1972, TR-77)

Amplifiers

An Ace Tone Mighty-5 Amplifier

Guitar Amplifiers

• Mini Ace (Combo)^[7][8]
• Mini-8 (Combo)^{[Note 2]}
• Solid Ace-1/SA-1 (Combo)^[7][8]
• Solid Ace-2/SA-2 (Combo)^[7][8][11]
• Solid Ace-3 (Head/Cab), SA-3 (Combo),^[3][11] SA-3C (Combo),^[7][8] SA-3D^[7]
• Solid Ace-5/SA-5 (Combo)^[7][8][11]
• Solid Ace-6/SA-6 (Head/Cab)^[7][8]
• Solid Ace-7 (Combo)^[7]
• Solid Ace-8/SA-8 (Head/Cab)^{[3][7][8][11]}
• Solid Ace-9/SA-9 (Head)
• Solid Ace-10/SA-10 (Head/Cab)^[3][7][11]
• SA-15 (Combo)^[8]
• SA-25 (Combo)^[8]
• SA-45 (Combo)^[8]
• SA-60 (Combo)^[8]
• SA-120 (Head/Cab)^[8]
• SA-150 (Head/Cab)^[8]
• Fighter Amplifier
• Friend Ace AR-1 (Combo)^[8]
• Gut's Ace
• GA-5S Cabinet
• G-15 Guitar Amplifier (Combo)^[10] (1977)
• G-35 (Combo)^[10]
• G-50 (Combo)^[10]
• GH-1 (Preamp + Mixer)^[9][10][14] (c. 1976)
• GH-600/GH-600S (Combo/Powered Cab)^[9][10][14] (c. 1976)
• GH-1200/GH-1200S (Combo/Powered Cab)^[10] (c.1976)
• L35 (Combo)^{[Note 2]}

Tube Amplifiers

• Mighty-5 (Head/Cab) — 50Watt
• Rockey (Combo) — 15 Watt 1× 12"
• Elite (Combo) — 4 Watt, 1× 8" (a.k.a. Model A-1R)
• Duetto (Combo)
• Model-101 (Combo) — 1× 8"
• Model-201 (Combo)
• Model-301 (Combo)
• Model-601 (Head/Cab) (c. 1968)

Bass Amplifiers

• Bass-3/B-3 (Combo)^[7][8][11] — Solid State
• Bass-6/B-6 (Head/Cab)^{[3][7][8][11]} — Solid State
• B-7 (Head/Cab)^[8]
• Bass-9/B-9 (Head/Cab)^{[3][7][8][11]}
• B-50 (Combo)^{[10][Note 2]}
• BH-1 (Preamp + Mixer)^[10]
• BH-600S (Powered Cab)^[10]
• BH-1200S (Powered Cab)^[10]

Vocal Amplifiers/Channel Mixer

• VM-4 Solid State Channel Mixer (4ch Powered Mixer)^[3]
• VM-6 (6ch Powered Mixer)^[3]
• VM-30 (Combo)^[3][7][11]
  • SL-30 (Powered Cab for VM-30)^[3]
• VM-45 (Combo)^[8]
• VM-50/VS-50 (Powered Mixer/Cab)^[8]
• Channel Mixer VM-80 Professional/VS-80 (6ch Powered Mixer/Cab)^{[5][7][8][11]}
• VM-85/VS-85 (Powered Mixer/Cab)^[8]
• VM-150/VS-150 (Powered Mixer/Cab)^[7][8]
• VM-200 (Powered Mixer with Wireless Mic & Cab)^[11]
• Echo Mixer MP-4 (4ch Mixer)^[3]
• MP-40 (4ch Mixer)^[8][10]
• PH-1 (Mixer)^[10]
• PH-2 (Mixer)^[10]
• PH-600S (Powered Cab)^[10]
• PH-1200S (Powered Cab)^[10]

Speaker Systems

• BSP-6 — 2× 12" speakers^[11]
• SP-15 — 1× 15" Gold Bond speaker^[11]
• SP-30 — 2× 15" Gold Bond speakers^[11]
• SP-35 — 2× 15" extra massive speakers^[11]
• SP-45 — 3× 15" Gold Bond speakers^[11]
• SP-10 — 2× 15" + 2× 8" speakers^[11]
• SP-410 — 4× 15" speakers^[11]

Other

• AD-171 Dynamic Microphone^[8][10]
• AE-181 Electret Condencer Microphone^[8]
• AD-191 Dynamic Microphone^[10]
• AD-201 Dynamic Microphone^[10]
• Mic Adapter MP-1 (2ch Mic Preamp)
• Multi-Vox EX-100 (Wind Instrument Preamp)^[3]
• Psyche Light PL-125^[3]
• Tuning Gun AT-32 (Tuner)^[3]

See also

• Roland Corporation
• Sakata Shokai
• Hammond Organ
• Nihon Hammond
• Peter Sorkin Music Company (Sorkin Music)
• Multivox

Notes

Media

References

• Ace Tone & Nihon Hammond Catalogs:
  • Ace Tone Catalog 1969. Sorkin/Ace Tone. 1969.  (for details, see PDF version)
  • Ace Tone Professional Amplifiers Catalog 1971. Sorkin Music Company Inc. June 1971. 
  • Ace Tone Catalog 1972 (in Japanese). Ace Electronic Industry Inc. July 1972. 
  • Ace Tone Catalog 1975 (in Japanese). Nihon Hammond, Ltd. July 1975. 
  • Ace Tone Guitar Amplifiers Catalog 1976 (in Japanese). Nihon Hammond, Ltd. 1976.  (excerpt)
  • Ace Tone Catalog 1978 (in Japanese). Nihon Hammond, Ltd. September 1978. 
  • Hammond L.M. Catalogue 1983 (in Japanese). Nihon Hammond, Ltd. 1983. 
• Stachowiak, Joe (November 2, 2012). "ROLAND MUSEUM & COMPANY HISTORY". Absolute Music Solutions Ltd.  — a visit report on Roland Corporation Hamamatsu Laboratory where early Ace Tone products are also exhibited.
  Note: the production years seen on their private museum are not reliable. For example, production years of early product/prototype (Canary S-2 (1962), R-1 Rhythm Ace (1964)), and the later mass-production models (Canary S-3 (c. 1965), Rhythm Ace FR-1 (c. 1967)) are mysteriously confused.
• "Ace Tone". The Audio Playground Synthesizer Museum. Archived from the original on 2008-06-30.  — List of products and some corporate history.
• "Ace Tone". Combo Organ Heaven.  — Profiles of organs and corporate history.
• Harmony Central: Ace Tone: Reviews — Reviews of Ace Tone products.
• Orgel Wiki: Ace Tone — more pictures of organ models.
• VintageSynth.hu: Ace — more pictures of products.

External links

• ace-tone lh-100 stereo phasor - LH-100 Stereo Phasor photo and audio examples.
• effectsdatabase.com: Ace Tone WM-1 Wah Master.
• The Dave Howard Singers PAGE - A band that popularized the sound of the Acetone Top 5.
• The Dave Howard Singers Wikipedia PAGE