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Post subject: Red Knob Twin
Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2010 10:56 am
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Hey People. First, let me apologize for the potentially duplicate post and invite you to refer me to an existing thread if this has already been adressed....

I am considering buying for a very low price a red knob Twin. I don't know the year, but I gather they weren't made for very long. This particular amp has some issues; needs at least one new power tube, replacement input jack, and replacement footswitch jack (the footswitch isn't included though). Other than that, some dirty pots, and some cosmetics, it should be ready to roll. I can get this for $150.

I have heard that this amp is blow-your-face-off loud, which I don't necessarily need. I've also heard that you can take 2 of the 4 power tubes out and change the speaker impedance and run it at half power. Is this true? I know nothing about amps, and don't plan to make a hobby of altering or repairing them. I'm a new guitar player, and the chance to jam regularily with someone who has a practice space came about at the same time as this amp did. I thought it would be cool to have a cool amp to just leave in the space and leave my GDEC at home instead of carting an amp back and forth. I realize there are better options, but I also don't have a bunch of cash to spend, so $150 and a little effort sounds appealing. Also, I just plain like the idea of having a Twin. So can the half power thing be done, and is it adviseable?


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Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2010 11:30 am
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IMO you're better off buying something that works, rather than some basketcase that could conceivably cost hundreds of dollars to restore to serviceable condition.

For $150 you can pick up a used Deluxe 90, a Deluxe 112, or a Princeton Chorus that will be plenty loud without breaking the bank. A tube set alone for a Twin costs about the same.

HTH

Arjay

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Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2010 1:23 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
IMO you're better off buying something that works, rather than some basketcase that could conceivably cost hundreds of dollars to restore to serviceable condition.

For $150 you can pick up a used Deluxe 90, a Deluxe 112, or a Princeton Chorus that will be plenty loud without breaking the bank. A tube set alone for a Twin costs about the same.

HTH

Arjay


Wise, wise words. unless you want to put the money in, it might be a bit of a dog of an amp. And if you are wanting to spend that amount of money on one, just buy a second hand one that works....

Another thing with twin, it'll break your back. But damn twins sound good!!

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Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2010 1:41 pm
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I really don't want to spend the time and money screwing with it, which is why I'm waffling. I'd love a Twin, but maybe I should wait until I can get one that is more squared away.

So the Deluxe 90 and 112 are good amps? Maybe I'll keep my eye out for one of them. I just sold my crappy old no-name amp and bought a new GDEC30 (love it) for home. My pregnant girlfriend will be moving in soon, so the time is now to buy another amp to bring to the practice space. It will probably have to last me awhile.


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Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2010 1:54 pm
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I own one of these amps I bought brand new and it is LOUD!! :shock:
I personally have never had a problem with mine.Knock on wood
As far as pulling two tubes its still LOUD!!
It is by far the loudest amp I have ever owned...I dig on it.I take care of all my stuff so mine is in mint condition.If you can get it for that price and drop a little money into it you might be lookin good but than again it could be a money pit.Best of luck
oh yeah...this thing is HEAVY and I wouldn't want to move it around.Mine sits in one spot and stays there
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Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2010 7:48 pm
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I also own one of these. It is very loud but sounds great. If what you have listed is all that is wrong then it won,t cost much to get it right. They are very heavy about 90 lbs. I don,t use mine much. I use my bassman most of the time.


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Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 7:11 am
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90lbs is a lot. For the forseeable future it would be parked in a practice space and never leave, but maybe someday I would play out with it, at which point the weight could become a pain. I'm leaning toward buying a different amp.

Thanks for the advice. I haven't totally made up my mind yet, but I have some pros and cons.


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