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Post subject: Lucky Day for me!
Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 10:09 am
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Hi Everyone,
New to the forum and this is my 1st post. Thought I would share a great story that I was involved in a few months ago.
An old friend died and his wife contacted me and asked if I would be interested in buying his guitars. I had known him for several years but never knew he played. All she told me was he had 3 "old" guitars, a Gibson Les Paul, a Gretsch and a Gibson Acoustic. I asked her about the guitars but she could tell me very little, just that he had them since the early 60's. I had her email me the info on them and how much she was wanting for them.
The "old" LP had me wondering :lol: When I got the info I was amazed :shock:
Based on the photos and serial #s the LP was a 1954 Goldtop w/P90's, the acoustic was a 1969 Gibson Hummingbird and the Gretsch was a 1967 6120. She wanted $5000. I called her and told her what she had and that they were worth much more than she was asking or I could afford. To make a long story short, I set up a sale to vintage dealer in NY. She was paid $45,000 for the 2 Gibsons. The 6120 needed a neck reset and the dealer wasn't interested. I later sold that for $1600.
As I was leaving she asked me if I would be interested in his old Fender amps. They were tucked away in a closet and she said she was putting them out in the trash if I didn't want them.
She then brought out 2 old Tweeds, a Deluxe ad a Princeton. Needless to say my jaw dropped. I told her I would gladly take them and offered to pay for them. She gave them to me for helping her sell the guitars. She then said that there was 1 other amp. She took me to the music room and there was a Quad Reverb that looked like it had never been used. She told me he only used it for his Rhodes piano. It cme home with me too!
I have since researched the ser# on the amps. The Deluxe is a 1953, the Princeton 1954 and the Quad 1970. I will try and post some pics.
The Princeton needed some work but the others worked and sound great. Talk about tone 8) they even make me sound good. I have had them checked out. They were/are all original, tubes, caps speakers etc.
Here is the problem I have and need some input from the you vintage amp guys. I love playing them but have been told I should swap out the original components for the day I (more like my widow) will sell them.
What do you think? I tried to post a few pics. Not sure if they made it.


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Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Photos
Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 10:42 am
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I think I have figured out how to post some photos so i will give it a try.
Let me know what you think.

Image
Image
Image
Image
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Image[/img]


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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 12:26 pm
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Welcome to the forum and fantastic amp find. Kharma does come around for the good deeds you do! 8) Mike

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Post subject: Gibson and Amp Find
Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 8:34 am
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Its great to hear that there are fine guitars out there and even better that there are people out there who look out for others well being. Great story and I hope that you find more.


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:16 am
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I have had quite a few old amps. My advice would be:
Don't go crazy replacing just anything. I generally replace the 2-prong plug with a 3-prong for safety. Also, anything that's close to failing and might do more damage when (or if) it goes. Find a good tech who appreciates you and what you have, and let him have the amps one-at-a-time to go over at his leisure. If he's the right guy, he'll appreciate the chance to get into one of these beauties!
Buy good replacement parts. Take his advice, but do a little research on your own. If something's too expensive, put the amp in the closet until you have the money.
Lastly, keep the old parts. If you do sell one, the new owner will appreciate getting them. Oh yeah, PLAY 'EM. They were meant to be used!
Thanks for helping her out. I was pleases to see she gave them to you for your help; you deserved it!


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 1:53 pm
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I loved my old Tweed Deluxe. I traded an Ampeg Jet for it. To this day, I don't know whatever happened to that little tone monster. :?

Nice score! 8)

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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 3:59 pm
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The favorite amp I ever owned was a '57 Super.
Find an old Overdrive pedal (I like the old yellow 2-knob DODs) to put in-front of the tweeds!


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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2008 11:32 am
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Thanks everyone for all the input. When I got the amps home the Princeton did not work so I took it and the Deluxe to my local shop. At that time I really didn't know what I had. When everyone saw what I had the questions all started and everyone wanted to buy them. Up until that time I was not into tube amps and really didn't know much about them :?: . The repair was easy and the tech did exactly what Bigarnott suggested. Both amps now have grounded plugs and he replaced some caps. I have everything in a parts box in case I ever decide to sell them.(won't happen)
My biggest surprise came about 3 weeks later when I was back at the shop and saw they were selling a new line of botique style amps made by their tech that were exact copies of the Deluxe and Princeton. :D


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