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Is this a good buy?
yes 33%  33%  [ 2 ]
no 67%  67%  [ 4 ]
Total votes : 6
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Post subject: Twin Reverb Question
Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 9:20 am
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This is for a 1974 Fender Twin Reverb. He's asking for 450$ or best offer. Is it a good buy despite issues? I know someone who used to fix amps and my grandpa was an electrician and handyman so they have some experience dealing with this kind of stuff. And what would you offer him?


Quote:
Issues: Its been blowing fuses, I am not entirely sure why, but have not really looked into it yet either. Someone told me it might just be the power tubes, which are old. It has one replaced speaker, but I put an original speaker in, so yes, its been replaced, but its a stock speaker. It is missing the master volume push pull knob, and there is no footswitch. There are small cosmetic issues as it was a working amp for a long time before I got tired of lugging it around (its heavy enough, thats for sure) and the reverb tank connection is a little loose, it wiggles free once in a while, especially after moving the amp.

I would probably have to crate it to ship it safely, I have not really looked into that either, but I have received a similar item and the shipping was not horrible. I will look into this.




Thanks

Oh, and this would mean it's a silverface. Correct?

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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 10:16 am
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It depends. It is a Silverface and I own one. If it's just power tubes it would be okay. But a power tranny is a different story. A shorted power tube can do this. Stuff like the reverb tank are not huge issues, but be aware, it will probably need a cap job badly. The SF master volume Twins are common. You can get one in working condition for about 500-800 bucks. Personally, I'd pass. Remember too these things are not bedroom amps. They are extremely loud, and heavy and have a ton of squeaky clean headroom. I can't use mine in small clubs and get a really good tone without the decibel police hassling me. I don't use pedals much anymore. If you live in an apartment, it will be useless.
I originally bought mine for the power. Way back PA systems were pretty bad and I played large venues and festivals. Now, I don't really use it that much. I can mic just about any amp I own for any size venue.
The decision is yours. If I were to offer him anything, I think $250-300 would be fair for a non-working amp. Why didn't he change the power tubes and make it a working amp if that's all it is. It would make it be worth more.


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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 10:32 am
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63supro wrote:
It depends. It is a Silverface and I own one. If it's just power tubes it would be okay. But a power tranny is a different story. A shorted power tube can do this. Stuff like the reverb tank are not huge issues, but be aware, it will probably need a cap job badly. The SF master volume Twins are common. You can get one in working condition for about 500-800 bucks. Personally, I'd pass. Remember too these things are not bedroom amps. They are extremely loud, and heavy and have a ton of squeaky clean headroom. I can't use mine in small clubs and get a really good tone without the decibel police hassling me. I don't use pedals much anymore. If you live in an apartment, it will be useless.
I originally bought mine for the power. Way back PA systems were pretty bad and I played large venues and festivals. Now, I don't really use it that much. I can mic just about any amp I own for any size venue.
The decision is yours. If I were to offer him anything, I think $250-300 would be fair for a non-working amp. Why didn't he change the power tubes and make it a working amp if that's all it is. It would make it be worth more.


Thanks! I'm going to ask him some of those questions.

Now i've got a couple questions for you. What would the diagnosis be if it was a power tranny? And what exactly is a cap job and what is the ballpark price?

How do you like yours?

I'm a pedal person so keeping it at low volumes is okay by me.
I've been mostly browsing deluxe reverbs but a twin wouldn't be bad. I like the look of the silverface's and the price could be great if the amp is fixable. I've always fancied twins. I love the clean headroom as well.

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Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 11:56 am
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A power tranny could run from about $135 to over $200. A cap job consists of replacing all the electrolytic capacitors in the amp. Prices vary widely. The amp will need to be rebiased too when you replace the power tubes. You may also find bad pre amp tubes as well. It could be a very expensive proposition to get the amp up and running again. It may have been really abused too.

I love my Twin. Look on Ebay, you may find one in good working order for the same price as this one after you make all the repairs.


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Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 12:12 pm
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He's going to be sending some pics to me and try to get some sound clips up. He also said that he may consider a return if i doesn't work out for me. I'm also going to see if i can get him down to 350 or so. I figure i'll give it a shot and if it works out, awesome. If it doesn't, oh well.

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Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 7:24 pm
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You're going to be looking at an expensive proposition just to retube the amp.
The missing Master Volume knob is'nt a big deal in fact, you would'nt like the sound of the Wilkenson circut that this push-pull pot was for. I own four silver face twins, two are due for new tubes. 63Supro is not kidding when he told you this would be too much for small venues. I also own a '73 Vibrolux Reverb, and that's too much in some clubs I play, so then I have to use my '70 Princeton Reverb.
If you are planning on restoring this amp, it's going to take time and cash, but in the end, you have to ask yourself if this will all be worth it?

-Harley 8)

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Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 4:06 pm
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I have to agree with the general consensus here in that is way to much for that amp considering the unknown problems. I just got a quote on a complete overhaul for my '73 Bandmaster...new tubes, caps, thorough cleaning, etc., etc., and it came out to be around $250. If this were for a Twin, I would suspect close to $400 because of the number of tubes. Of course this does NOT take into account any other issues that could be wrong with the amp. As others have said, if there are issues with the transformer or something else, that's most certainly going to be extra. To be honest, here in NE Ohio, I would pay more than $600-$750 for a decent working Twin depending on cosmetic condition...with the repairs you're talking about, you'd probably be well towards $800-$900 or more.

I would also like to add one more thing. You said your "grandpa was an electrician and handyman"...please know that this does NOT mean an amplifier service technician. No disrespect to your gramps or to the guy you know who "used to fix amps", but I would take an amp such as this to a qualified, professional service tech. For that kind of money, this is not something I would screw around with at all...should you decide to buy this amp (and again I wouldn't) I would take it to a pro.

Okies...just my $.02 worth,
Jim


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