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Post subject: Used (23-year-old) Tube Amp Advice
Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 1:17 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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I'm posting this here, even though some might complain about it, because indeed the lounge gets 100 times the readership of the specialized topic forums, and it has been the custom--according to my unscientific observations--to post this kind of discussion here, even though there is a special forum for amp discussion. Sorry to the few who will complain.

I'm new to tube amps. I used my friend google and did some research about how often tubes need to be changed, so I'm not asking that question. My question is simply, would you buy a used tube amp built in 1990 if, say, you could get it for about $700, when it's about $900 for a new one after the standard discounts? If this amp has the original tubes from 1990, I guess you would think automatically that you'd need to change the tubes immediately? I don't have the money right now so I'm not going to bid against you, but I guess another way to state the question is whether you think this could be a good deal:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fender-Deluxe-R ... 0#ht_0wt_0

I'm tending to think that buying a used tube amp could be even scarier than buying a used guitar (site unseen).


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Post subject: Re: Used (23-year-old) Tube Amp Advice
Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 1:58 pm
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Her Wanna wrote:
I'm posting this here, even though some might complain about it, because indeed the lounge gets 100 times the readership of the specialized topic forums, and it has been the custom--according to my unscientific observations--to post this kind of discussion here, even though there is a special forum for amp discussion. Sorry to the few who will complain.


But... not sorry enough I guess... :roll:

Yea... why on Earth would you want to post in the 'appropriate' section anyway ?? :P

cheers!

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Post subject: Re: Used (23-year-old) Tube Amp Advice
Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 2:19 pm
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I would go to 650 on that amp. Even if I bought a new one I would change the tubes. You would get more responses if you posted this under the modern amp section but that wouldn't be like you so whatever.


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Post subject: Re: Used (23-year-old) Tube Amp Advice
Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 2:54 pm
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When you buy an OLD tube amp there's a strong chance that it's not just the tubes that will need replacing. The filter capacitors in the power supply may be leaky and/or drying out, that can make the amp hum badly. Blocking caps also degrade over time and can start letting DC through onto the tube grids. With an amp like that I'd find a schematic and go through replacing all the caps. It won't be "original" any more but it'll be a lot more usable and a good deal safer.

Also replace things like perished insulation, mains leads, fuses and give it a general clean inside. All those years sat accumulating fungi, cockroaches and stray pharmaceuticals have a cumulative effect on an amp's wellbeing!

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Post subject: Re: Used (23-year-old) Tube Amp Advice
Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 3:03 pm
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It looks like it's been cared for.

I'd be more afraid of the possible shipping/handling damage to it.

*Look at seller's negatives :wink:

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Post subject: Re: Used (23-year-old) Tube Amp Advice
Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 3:06 pm
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Do you know the difference between 'site unseen' and sight unseen? :lol:


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Post subject: Re: Used (23-year-old) Tube Amp Advice
Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 5:44 pm
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GilgaFrank wrote:
When you buy an OLD tube amp there's a strong chance that it's not just the tubes that will need replacing. The filter capacitors in the power supply may be leaky and/or drying out, that can make the amp hum badly. Blocking caps also degrade over time and can start letting DC through onto the tube grids. With an amp like that I'd find a schematic and go through replacing all the caps. It won't be "original" any more but it'll be a lot more usable and a good deal safer.

Also replace things like perished insulation, mains leads, fuses and give it a general clean inside. All those years sat accumulating fungi, cockroaches and stray pharmaceuticals have a cumulative effect on an amp's wellbeing!

although I agree whole-heartedly with everything you said about the amp, i wouldn't give him the advice you did. I would tell him to find someone experienced with tube amps to do the work,even if he has to pay for it. Inexperienced people can easily kill themselves working on a tube amp. I suspect the OP would be among the higher risks.

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Post subject: Re: Used (23-year-old) Tube Amp Advice
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 9:30 am
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Twelvebar wrote:
... Inexperienced people can easily kill themselves working on a tube amp. I suspect the OP would be among the higher risks...


:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

according to my unscientific observations, even though there are specific procedures to read the schematics, drain/ground the Caps and unplug the Amp before servicing, I believe these to be wholly unnecessary... Sorry to the few who will complain.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:


cheers!

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Post subject: Re: Used (23-year-old) Tube Amp Advice
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 9:49 am
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Twelvebar wrote:
although I agree whole-heartedly with everything you said about the amp, i wouldn't give him the advice you did. I would tell him to find someone experienced with tube amps to do the work,even if he has to pay for it. Inexperienced people can easily kill themselves working on a tube amp. I suspect the OP would be among the higher risks.


Yes, just to be clear on that issue I was talking about what I personally would do. Don't take it as encouragement to start dismantling an amplifier and playing round with a soldering iron unless you know what you're doing and what the risks are.

Twelvebar wrote:
according to my unscientific observations, even though there are specific procedures to read the schematics, drain/ground the Caps and unplug the Amp before servicing, I believe these to be wholly unnecessary... Sorry to the few who will complain.


Whoever wrote that is an idiot. There's more than enough charge in a set of filter caps to stop your heart even with the amp unplugged. No repairer who knows anything about safety would risk working on an amp without draining the caps and grounding the HT supply.

Damn, I knew this thread would turn into me ranting about electrical safety again.

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Post subject: Re: Used (23-year-old) Tube Amp Advice
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 10:05 am
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GilgaFrank wrote:
Quote:
according to my unscientific observations, even though there are specific procedures to read the schematics, drain/ground the Caps and unplug the Amp before servicing, I believe these to be wholly unnecessary... Sorry to the few who will complain.


Whoever wrote that is an idiot. There's more than enough charge in a set of filter caps to stop your heart even with the amp unplugged. No repairer who knows anything about safety would risk working on an amp without draining the caps and grounding the HT supply.

Damn, I knew this thread would turn into me ranting about electrical safety again.



Parody: noun, a humorous or satirical imitation of a serious piece of literature or writing: ie, original post.

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

cheers!

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Last edited by Lightnin MN on Tue Aug 13, 2013 11:00 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Used (23-year-old) Tube Amp Advice
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 10:20 am
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hi , i've got amps a lot older than that and have no problems with them , but you will be amazed at the difference a new set of tubes makes to the sound of an amp 8) , just thought i'de mention it , cheers
Alan

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Post subject: Re: Used (23-year-old) Tube Amp Advice
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 11:05 am
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thanks!!


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Post subject: Re: Used (23-year-old) Tube Amp Advice
Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 1:17 pm
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I have a similarly-aged (and similarly-taken-care-of) '63 Re-issue Vibroverb, and outside of tube changes, it has given me no problem at all.

Make sure there is a money-back guarantee and a good seller rating, and let her rip...

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Post subject: Re: Used (23-year-old) Tube Amp Advice
Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 10:21 pm
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one of my tube amps is a 1980 twin reverb. bought it used in 93. only problems ive ever had was one toggle switch for power which i replaced with a genuine fender part. it had the original fender tubes in it when i bought it. ive replaced the pre amp tubes. amp runs fine. but it does sound different since the new tubes were put in. guess they were over due lol. i do notice when its warming up it maes some noise... but then it quiets right down. im told that is a sign of the capacitors coming uo pn replacement time by an electronics person i know. again the original capacitors in this amp. so considering they are at the least 43 years old. ..... well point is its not years but hours of operation..

then again. tube amps these days vs old tube amps.. what i see is most of the newer ones have circut boards vs hand wiring.. and if you really are a tube amp person. the difference is quite a bit..

heres the thing in my opinion. if your gonna hook up a bunch of pedals and change the amps sound anyhow. why even get a tube amp.. otoh if you are looking to get a clean over driven amp sound well then you have to go with the older tube amps because in my opinion. the newer tube amps with the circut boards just dont cut it..


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Post subject: Re: Used (23-year-old) Tube Amp Advice
Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 10:37 pm
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amx05462 wrote:
one of my tube amps is a 1980 twin reverb......at the least 43 years old.


"1980" and it's now 2013.

How's that "43 years old" calculation work again?

:wink:

Arjay

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