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Post subject: To repair or not repair
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 7:48 pm
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I inherited a 1964 Fender blond on blond bandmaster amp and a 1963 Guild DE500 guitar in when my father died in 1964. I was young at the time and didn't play guitar so they were just stored. Later I took lessons and didn't like the teacher so I lost interest and again they were just stored. Now much time has lapsed and I wanted to sell these items to someone who would appreciate them, probably a collector. First I brought out the guitar and cleaned things up and took pictures. Next I took out the amp to make sure that the guitar worked fine. When I put the amp away it was playing fine but now does not work. It didn't take long after visiting the various message boards the find out that the capacitors don't know they're capacitors any more. I extracted the chassis from the cabinet head to look things over. All electronics looked mint with absolutely no swelling or leaking. I am virtually looking into the past of a brand new amp with everything original. I took a lot of pictures of the amp also.

Now my question: Would it be better to get this amp fixed or try to sell it as is with truthful advertising? I did visit a guitar store who does amp repair but did not like what they said. "sometimes when things come apart they do not necessarily go back together the same" If I didn't have an intent on selling it the answer would be simple. Just put it back in storage. I don't have a reliable amp repair service near where I live. Any recommendations or guidance would be appreciated.
Thanks,
elprice


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Post subject: Re: To repair or not repair
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 8:56 pm
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An amp such as you describe in virtually unmolested cosmetic shape and in original and operating condition might be worth three to four large. Skip the knuckle-draggers at the guitar stores and find yourself a true craftsman who understands and appreciates the history and the technology of these relic amps.

To find one, talk to local musicians in your area and find out where they're getting their servicing done. When you have sufficient data on hand a consensus should emerge pointing to the most competent amp tech in your area. Use your local C/L if necessary (still one of the greatest free resources left on the planet).

Best of luck, HTH

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: To repair or not repair
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 3:58 am
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+1 Retroverbial

You should be SURE you bring this to a GOOD tech. Take your time to choose him.


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Post subject: Re: To repair or not repair
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 5:22 am
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Don't sell It.


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Post subject: Re: To repair or not repair
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 5:31 am
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+1 bluestrucker


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Post subject: Re: To repair or not repair
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 6:51 am
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If you want to sell it,leave it as/is,describe the condition with pics and let the new owner decide what he wants to do with it.
If you want to keep it,do what Arjay said.
edited to add;
I just reread your post and saw that the amp isn't working,see what it needs to get it going but make sure the tech is a good one,not a hacker,like the others have mentioned.
A bad tech can ruin the value of your amp easily.


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Post subject: Re: To repair or not repair
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 8:14 am
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Folks, thanks for your responses. I hate to have anything replaced because it's such a thing of beauty. Not that it's the best or most desirable amp fender produced for sure, it's just that it has never been touched. I have heard of horror stories of repair shops taking in vintage equipment for service and farming the piece for resale of parts at very high prices at flea markets and at a very well known web sales store. Sure I have detailed pictures to prove what I brought in but I don't want to put myself in that position from the start so at home it sits. I would add some images but apparently I can't or don't know how.
Thanks,
elprice


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Post subject: Re: To repair or not repair
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 9:05 am
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Amps are meant to be played. It left the factory in working condition.A cap job is normal for an amp of that age.Just keep the old parts.It will be worth way more in working condition.


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Post subject: Re: To repair or not repair
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 9:44 am
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As it was said, I would keep it but if you must, sell it as-is. Most that would be interested in this kind of amp may prefer to take a shot at fixing themselves rather than a shop not necessarily using period correct components. I know I would if all it needed was a cap job.


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Post subject: Re: To repair or not repair
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 10:33 am
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I can understand you need the money, but you will get more then what you will spend on the repairs if the amp is working vs not working it makes no sense to sell without getting it fixed.


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Post subject: Re: To repair or not repair
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 10:36 am
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"doesn't work" - you mean not even the pilot light comes on? or that it turns on but is dead silent?

Another strategy to sell it would be to have the problem diagnosed, but not repaired, and leave the decision to the buyer.

If it's as pristine as is suggested, your target buyer is more of a museum-keeper than a player, so I don't think you'll be penalized heavily if it's not working but the problem is known.

good luck!


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Post subject: Re: To repair or not repair
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 11:29 am
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mr.danny wrote:
Another strategy to sell it would be to have the problem diagnosed, but not repaired, and leave the decision to the buyer.


Also a legitimate option.

Just be certain that no parts are "harvested" from the amp by some unscrupulous tech -- it's been known to happen.

Vintage trannies command big $$$. Also Astron and Mallory caps, and of course vintage tubes.

Photograph everything before proceeding with this choice.

Best of luck, HTH

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: To repair or not repair
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 11:44 am
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I always keep everything that's replaced on a vintage amp and put the small items like caps in a baggie and label it,I even keep the old cord and worn out leather handle if they come off the amp.
When I bought my latest,the '65 DR,there was a baggie with some caps and resistors in it...my first question was,"who did this work",and when I was told the name of the tech who is well respected in Nashville,it put my fears to rest that the tone might have been ruined....I knew he does first rate work.
Old amps need work at times,but they CAN be fixed....there's no shame in that. :D


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Post subject: Re: To repair or not repair
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 1:14 pm
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The amp does come on but it sounds what may be 60Hz signal coming from the speakers. This occurred even with the volume control knob at the lowest setting. Of course when this happened I turned it off within seconds. The tube chart states that this is a AA763 circuit design but in fact has all the changes of the AB763 incorporated. I also have the original envelope that contained the owners manual which is not very informative and the schematic diagram. The owners manual is written to cover most of the amps of that period and is showing pictures of a twin reverb and a showman. The schematic is for a bandmaster AB763.
Thank everyone for all your replies.
Elprice


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Post subject: Re: To repair or not repair
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 2:18 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Sounds like a bad tube, but more then likely a bad Ac Filter Cap.Still worth fixing to sell


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