The company was started in the 1960s in Hillside, NJ. The name "Hilgen" is a combination of "Hillside" and "Gentul." Jack Gentul was the founding innovator behind the Hilgen products.
The company made both guitar and bass models, with a T indicating a guitar model and a B indicating a bass model.
T2511 Meteor 12" combo amp. There is mention on the Univox website that the Hilgen Meteor may have been a different brand name used by Univox to sell their U-45B 10W 12" combo amp with similar circuitry and slightly different cosmetics.
R2523 Champion. Introduced in 1965, featured 7591A tubes, reverb and tremolo.
There was a model called the "Swing Away", which was a semi-combo 2x12. Its unique feature was that the amp was hinged, allowing it to be tucked away in the speaker cabinet when not in use; it could then swing into position when needed.
R2522 Victor - Similar in appearance to other Hilgen combo amps though this model has a crest in the lower right corner. single 12" speaker. tubes: 5AR4GZ34 rectifier, 7199 for reverb recovery, 2 x 12AX7s for preamp and reverb send, 12AU7 phase inverter. 25 to 30 watt output.
R2521 Pacesetter - similar in appearance to other Hilgen combo amps. swirling paint design on grill cloth similar to those found on Sano amps. 12" speaker powered by 7591 power tubes
Bass Amplifiers
B2501 Basso, a 1x15 combo amp. Came with 2 7591A, 1 5AR4 rectifier, and 2 12AX7As one for the preamp and one for the phase inverter for about 20-25 watts although I have heard of some having 3 12AX7's. But by today's wattage ratings is actually closer to 40 watts. Info and schematics at http://www.hilgenamplifiers.net/
B2503 Basso Grande, an amp head designed to piggyback on top of a speaker cabinet. Came with 2 12AX7 preamp tubes, 2 7591A power tubes, and a 5AR4 rectifier. It came with a closed-back 2-12 speaker cabinet that had a unique, slightly angled profile. The head attached to the top of the speaker cabinet with a pair of latches.
B2234 HM-B, a 1x15 combo amp, also with 2 12ax7 preamp tubes, 2 7591 power tubes, and a 5AR4 rectifier.
