Varitone

The Varitone is an instrument amplifier that the Selmer Company introduced in 1965 primarily for use with the saxophone but also adapted for use with other instruments such as the trumpet. The Varitone included a small microphone mounted on the saxophone neck, a set of controls attached to the saxophone's body, and an amplifier and loudspeaker mounted inside a cabinet. The Varitone's effects included echo, tremolo, tone control, and an octave divider. Notable Varitone players were Eddie Harris, Lou Donaldson, and Sonny Stitt. Similar products included the Hammond Condor.