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Post subject: I have $300-$400 Should I Buy a Used or New Amp?
Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 7:00 am
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I havent had a guitar in almost five years. I find myself in a position to buy a guitar setup. I bid on a Fender Delux Strat a few days ago and it looks like i am probablly going to win it.

So now Im trying to figure out the Amp situation. I have about 3 to 4 Hundred to spend on an Amp. What should I do? Buy a new one or used one?

Does the sound quality really take a beating on them? So the used wouldnt be great? Am I better off getting a new one of less quality?

I really like the "Hot Rod Deville" amps. But of course new they cost way too much. Should I buy a used one? I found one for $250.


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Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 8:01 am
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Welcome!

Amps are lot cars in a lot of ways even after you've done diligent research:

If you buy a new one, you get all sorts of warranties and guarantees although you never know what the exact one you bought holds in store for you. At least though, it's brand, spanking new and you know said warranties and guarantees have got your back.

If you buy a demo, chances are, any problems associated with that the particular model were already taken care of and you'll get a bunch of modified warranties and guarantees, maybe even just as good as if it were new. Of course, there is some mileage on them and the stuff that is faster to crap out, surely wouldn't be covered when the time comes.

If you buy a used one and know the history of it, you'll get a lot more for the money, minimal (if any) warranties and guarantees and with much more mileage on it. Here too, you never know what the exact one you bought holds in store for you and is the luck of the draw.

If you buy a used one based solely on that particular amp model's 'solid' reputation but don't know the history of the particular amp, well here too, it's really the luck of the draw.

In the case of anything other than new, the amp could look cosmetically perfect but there is no way you can tell if it was abused; which would make me consider, if this amp is such a 'gem', why is the person selling it?

As to the sound being modified from use, yes, it surely does happen but again, it all goes back to the exact one you bought and how it is/was used.

If it were me, I'd buy used only if I knew the history of the amp and got it dirt cheap because down the road sooner than later, I'll probably be adding the same amount of money into it for necessary servicing as if I bought it new. Or, if I sensed the amp may need some sort of big servicing on the horizon, I could always unload it as is for what I paid for it.

I'm also a firm believer in (in spite of how illogical this may sound) just as a car gets used to one driver, it oftentimes rejects another. In other words, it indeed worked great for the prior owner but quickly became a nightmare for the next one. I've seen this with amps more times than I can count too.

So IMO, I'd buy new as I'd absolutely, positively know the history of my amp and how it has been used since 'day one'. Granted, per the above, I'm not 'up front' getting as much for my money feature wise but I'd surely be able to sleep a whole lot better with this decision knowing that I and my amp are protected to the fullest extent via warranties, guarantees and me. YMMV.

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Last edited by Martian on Sat Jan 16, 2010 8:05 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: I have $300-$400 Should I Buy a Used or New Amp?
Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 8:03 am
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streetvan1997 wrote:
I havent had a guitar in almost five years. I find myself in a position to buy a guitar setup. I bid on a Fender Delux Strat a few days ago and it looks like i am probablly going to win it.

So now Im trying to figure out the Amp situation. I have about 3 to 4 Hundred to spend on an Amp. What should I do? Buy a new one or used one?

Does the sound quality really take a beating on them? So the used wouldnt be great? Am I better off getting a new one of less quality?

I really like the "Hot Rod Deville" amps. But of course new they cost way too much. Should I buy a used one? I found one for $250.
I would check out used first.300-400 isnt alot to work with.Unless you are going right into gigging at stadiums, I wouldnt get a deville.They are way beyond loud , they are 60 watts of tube volume ,plus they have reliability issues.If you are going to play at home you might want to check out the super champ xd.It is loud enough to gig with and small enough to play at home.There is also the vibro champ for even less.The deville has some reliability issues as well.


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Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 8:33 am
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used. and definitely used if you know a competent technician.
your new amp will become used anyway.
just find out about the reputation of the amp you're buying. the reliability i mean...
new amps are better because they have the "new" smell:)


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Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 9:49 am
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With the budget you have, a new Pro Jr would be a great tube amp to play your Strat through.

On the other hand, if you go out and try several amps, you might find a good deal on a pre-owned one.

I'm in the camp to try before you buy. :wink:

Good luck!!

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Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 11:17 am
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Used unless you want to go solid state.


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Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2010 12:21 am
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I have to second the Super Champ XD motion. It is a firecracker full of awesome tone. Loads of options built right in. Clean Channel, 16 voicings, built-in effects, and best of all TUBES.

I was also thinking of the Hot Rod series, but I'm glad I settled on this. JMHO.

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Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2010 2:32 am
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Another aspect to think about if going the "used" route is dealer vs. private sales.

If you buy a used amp from a guitar shop, you'll most likely have at least a 30 return period. A big chain like Guitar Center will take in a return "no questions asked," but even smaller shops will work with you. Not the case if you're buying an amp from joe blow on craigslist or ebay. I've had good luck with craigslist, but it's definitely not the norm for people to be honest and stand behind their sales.


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Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2010 2:43 pm
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You didn't indicate music style, but while I prefer new you can buy more amp if you go used. I wouldn't buy without trying it out and having some background on it. As far as new think about a Super Champ XD, very reliable good tone and around $300 or less on sale. I would look at the Peavey tube amps if I were looking at used. They are very reliable and can be bought for your price range. There's nothing wrong with good solid state amps either depending on your music taste. If you're into jazz many players actually prefer them.


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Post subject: Re: I have $300-$400 Should I Buy a Used or New Amp?
Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 1:01 pm
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streetvan1997 wrote:
Does the sound quality really take a beating on them? So the used wouldnt be great? Am I better off getting a new one of less quality?


A good amp will not degrade over time. Tubes in tube amp will wear out causing a change in tone, but it will not be bad or too noticeable unless the tubes are near failure. Speakers break in and settle eventually. If it sounds good to your ears it will continue to sound good.


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Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 2:04 pm
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I'll jump in with the SCXD recommendation too. It's been a great amp for me so far. 8)


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Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 5:05 pm
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+1 on the SCXD.


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Post subject: consider this
Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 8:34 am
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hi,, first i wish you the best luck on your purchase decision,, just a quick note,,, for the money amount you have indicated,, chk out ebay,, roc pro 1000 i have a collection of these amps , fender performer 1000 and roc pro 1000 same amps diff name roc pro came out after performer same amp diff name,, these are 100 watt hybrid there is a single 12ax7 tube in the over drive channel on these amps which simulates a true tube amp sound,, i just recently purchased a fender performer for very cheap $$$$$ 124 bucks,, whhen i got it,,, it sounded terrible ,, i was mislead by the seller,, it hummed and crackeled etc bad bad bad,,, i took it to a amp tech,, i ended up spending another 114 on this amp,,, however,, when i got the amp back,,,ooooooo my god,,, quiet smooth, clear , on and on like virtually a brand new amp,, maybe better.. now ppl may tell you you don;t need 100 watts and in many cases this is true,, however.. having this power can be handy,,, lol,,, these amps are notoriously loud,,i mean super dupper loud,, i can never ever run mine past 2and 3 quarters volume. do some home work on these amps IMHO these are very underratted , hope this helped,, i have 238 bucks in this last 1 and i think i am in heaven when i use it,,,lol... good luck and rock on ,,,,,,,


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Post subject: Re: I have $300-$400 Should I Buy a Used or New Amp?
Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 8:00 pm
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streetvan1997 wrote:
I havent had a guitar in almost five years. I find myself in a position to buy a guitar setup. I bid on a Fender Delux Strat a few days ago and it looks like i am probablly going to win it.

So now Im trying to figure out the Amp situation. I have about 3 to 4 Hundred to spend on an Amp. What should I do? Buy a new one or used one?

Does the sound quality really take a beating on them? So the used wouldnt be great? Am I better off getting a new one of less quality?

I really like the "Hot Rod Deville" amps. But of course new they cost way too much. Should I buy a used one? I found one for $250.


You always get more bang for the buck buying used. However, I suggest buying used from somewhere that you can return it just in case its not working properly. I took a chance and bought a super champ XD used from CL last year for $200. It ended up being a great deal. I love that amp and everyone I know wants one too.... They can't believe its only 15w.

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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 12:18 am
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+1 for the SCXD.

Unless you need a ton of volume, it's a great little amp. I have a blast with mine. Read the pdf manual on Fender's site for the amp models, and search YouTube for some cool demos. I bought mine having never played one, and haven't regretted it for a second.

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