Advice on buying vintage amp online?

[MrShake]

Saving up to drop on my last serious amp. Vintage head, not particularly desirable, but it's the one I've wanted for ages. Prices range from $700-$900 or so.

None locally, so online it will likely eventually have to be. Never bought anything but funky fixit jobs via Reverb, so I'd like to not get taken for a ride.

I'm certainly factoring in a full trip to the tech once I get it, so this is more of a "kicking the tires and checking for cracks in the engine" survey.

The fact that these amps are mostly empty space inside may help keep eventual repair/maintenance costs low.

Aside from the obvious checks of the seller's history and reviews, what else should I be eyeballing as far as condition is concerned?

Service history (documentation a plus), filter caps, age of tubes... much else?

I figure any unknown electrolytics and (sigh) a set of tubes are always potential post-purchase necessities, and, frankly, I realize gut shots might not be an option for an amp like this.

I wanted to ask you, my people, first. Before I consider throwing this chum to the frothing hordes on TGP.

[OffYourFace]

Biggest concern is can they ship it properly? It’s not easy shipping amps.

At Matchless we have a foam machine to make custom fitted foam pieces and boxes that are the right size. It’s the only way IMO.

[øøøøøøø]

Always good to send copious photos to someone who knows what they’re looking at, searching for red flags

Someone familiar with that eta make/model of amp and also with experience repairing and restoring vintage tube amps

Generally speaking, if the amp is unmodified and the transformers are original and working, most of the rest can be put right

[marqueemoon]

Having a good tech is the main thing.

[Dr Tony Balls]

Biggest concern is can they ship it properly? It’s not easy shipping amps.

At Matchless we have a foam machine to make custom fitted foam pieces and boxes that are the right size. It’s the only way IMO.

It's the *best* way possibly, but I ship amps all the time with bubble wrap in in proper sized boxes and i'll say that it's just fine to do things that way. It just takes a competent shipper...ive never had anything come close to shipping damage. Now, an INcompetent shipper* might ship you something like so, but that's why you buy through insured sites like Reverb or Ebay:



To the OP, what amp are we specifically talking about? I feel like certain ones have known problem areas to look out for.



*In this case the amp was one that I made which the customer killed (OT) by doing something stupid and then shipped it back to me stupidly as well. Despite essentially being loose in a cardboard box, though, everything in the amp was fine which made me me feel okay about my construction.

[i love sharin foo]

My advice is pretty general, but I would recommend going into the deal with the plan to learn to do some basic maintenance yourself. Old amps often require some effort to keep them running in general and sounding right in particular. Learning some basic safety practices is a must. Understanding which parts do what in a broad sense. How to read a schematic is a huge help. How to bias output tubes where necessary. Basic things like replacing caps in the power supply and other electrolytics. Sure, all these things are easy enough to have a tech do, but it is nice to do it yourself to save money, have a nice sense of accomplishment, and to reduce down time or the need to ship an amp to who knows where for servicing. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been inside a lot of my amps.

[MrShake]

Biggest concern is can they ship it properly? It’s not easy shipping amps.

Good thinking. I'm hoping seller reviews will give me some insight into a seller's packing techniques.

Always good to send copious photos to someone who knows what they’re looking at, searching for red flags

Someone familiar with that eta make/model of amp and also with experience repairing and restoring vintage tube amps

Generally speaking, if the amp is unmodified and the transformers are original and working, most of the rest can be put right

More excellent advice. If I can get gut shots, I'll post 'em a few places to get public opinion. I'm not experienced enough to truly be able to see if anything's been rerouted or modded, per se, but am just knowledgeable enough to see if components seem to be original vs. modern replacements. I'll trust you fine folks to steer me right.

Having a good tech is the main thing.

Amen. I always "knew" this, but after finding a real wizard here in Boston (who overhauled my beloved Bassman Ten earlier this year, went above and beyond), I know truly know how valuable a good tech can be. I'd trust him to be able to get anything back on its feet and not take me for a ride doing it.

To the OP, what amp are we specifically talking about? I feel like certain ones have known problem areas to look out for.

I guess I can trust my OSG brethren not to torpedo the market for them -- and after all, you ARE a Doctor -- but I'm after a Bassman 100. The earlier Super Bassman would fit the bill, too, but seems like the slightly earlier vintage might call for a bigger price tag, and this is for playin' out.

I love my Bassman Ten, just want a little more headroom and power for live stuff. Getting my I figure if I'm gonna drop for a 100W in this family, I may as well aim for the dream, as the later Bassman 135 is awesome, but why compromise at this weird "cheap expensive amp" tier? The few hundred bucks difference to get the earlier one isn't bank-breaking, but if I'm dropping $700+, why get something not quite what I want?

The one-less-gain stage preamps and lack of reverb/trem mean these things really don't have much under the hood, making for fewer points of failure and limited components for replacement, so my preferred tech would almost certainly make quick work of any issues. I don't mind replacement parts if needed (again, physical condition is pretty irrelevant short of "thrashed"), as long as I get the familiar big, bold cleans and high headroom I want. A Twin Reverb (esp. a head) would be amazing, but I like these thicc Bassman cleans.

Plan is to keep it stock, just like my Bassman Ten combo -- I already love the basic sound that gives me. And with a silverface 100W Fender head, I'll never again doubt if my live amp is "enough".

Anyway, this is all great stuff, keep it coming.

Also, until you've seen a post IN THIS THREAD that says I got the amp, and you're in New England looking to offload a Bassman 100 to an OSG homie, just, uh, y'know, PM me.

[MrShake]

My advice is pretty general, but I would recommend going into the deal with the plan to learn to do some basic maintenance yourself. Old amps often require some effort to keep them running in general and sounding right in particular. Learning some basic safety practices is a must. Understanding which parts do what in a broad sense. How to read a schematic is a huge help. How to bias output tubes where necessary. Basic things like replacing caps in the power supply and other electrolytics. Sure, all these things are easy enough to have a tech do, but it is nice to do it yourself to save money, have a nice sense of accomplishment, and to reduce down time or the need to ship an amp to who knows where for servicing. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been inside a lot of my amps.

This is fantastic advice, too, thank you. I'm... working on it, lol. In-progress. I've revived a few old solid states, and swapped some death caps for 3-prong grounded cords.

Most importantly, I've been absorbing as much SAFETY info as possible. Have a snuffer stick, wear rubber soles, one hand in pocket, etc.

I can't believe I didn't kill myself inside my old-ass tube amp in high school. Lessons learned.

Pedals were my gateway, helping me get a VERY basic understanding of the components, building old Vox fuzzes and learning how to make my own changes to vero board layouts, etc. However, lol, I haven't been scared of zapping myself with a 9V, so Im moving slow into the amp world. Though, to brag, I've brought some old Kasino (Kustom) heads back from the dead and they've been MONSTERS ever since.

But yes, agreed, and thank you for pointing that out - to me, and in general. It's been rewarding learning how to do basic maintenance on my guitars (intonation, truss rod, pickup swaps, switch repairs) and had really actually made them feel better to ME, customized to exactly how I like them.

And it's saved me a FORTUNE.

[OffYourFace]

*In this case the amp was one that I made which the customer killed (OT) by doing something stupid and then shipped it back to me stupidly as well. Despite essentially being loose in a cardboard box, though, everything in the amp was fine which made me me feel okay about my construction.

Wow, that's great that your amp lived

to OP, The Bassman 100 is a cool amp. Are you going to mod it for guitar?

[andy_tchp]

Biggest concern is can they ship it properly? It’s not easy shipping amps.

At Matchless we have a foam machine to make custom fitted foam pieces and boxes that are the right size. It’s the only way IMO.

Oh man, that's an amazing thing that I didn't know existed!

My Showman came over from the US couriered via DHL. I purchased from a store with decent feedback on Reverb and was priced well enough that even with a full going through by my excellent local tech I got a great deal.

It was massive - arrived double-boxed with large styrofoam packing blocks both in the 'inside' box and between the two boxes.

I'd be hesitant buying just from a random individual seller; I received a hi-fi amp similarly stupidly packed as Tony showed up-thread which received significant damage.

[takeittothemall]

I always ask the seller very specific questions about the operation of the amp. For instance, does it make any unwanted noises? I also ask for an iphone video of it in action, which most people are willing to do. I feel like these two things really reduce the chance of me receiving an amp that is going to need service before being able to be meaningfully used.

[OffYourFace]

Biggest concern is can they ship it properly? It’s not easy shipping amps.

At Matchless we have a foam machine to make custom fitted foam pieces and boxes that are the right size. It’s the only way IMO.

Oh man, that's an amazing thing that I didn't know existed!

It's a bit intimidating and stressful tbh

[MrShake]

You were all totally helpful and your advice was invaluable.

I ordered one. But not without a hiccup.

There was one on reverb. Allegedly recently serviced, new tubes, etc. Price was right, free shipping. I have a great local tech, and these amps are simple, so getting it out back right if something were amiss seems like a lesser issue with this model. Nothing seemed out of place. Price was $750 (+tax), listed for a month, down 20% from listing price. Price+shipping on most I've seen listed

I reach out to ask if there's any record of what was done a year and a half ago during servicing, and if the tubes had been revised after a described post-tech tube swap.

Seller responds, thanks me for bringing it to his attn isn't sure about rebiasing and pulls listing. Something felt weird, seemed like seller might've wanted more money, I dunno, but left a funny feeling.

GC had one on their site. $650+tax/shipping still came out to $720. Less than the other, pre-tax. I live 10 min from a GC in case I need to make a return, and shipping aside, $650 seemed like a pretty good deal based on market research.

If I get it and it's a dud, it goes back, no additional shipping cost to me and I keep looking. If I get it and it works, great, I'll play it, maybe check to see if filter caps have been changed, and plan on a trip to the tech before too long.

So, in short, I just bought a 100W Fender tube amp for $650, and I'm feeling pretty good about that.

Now I just need to figure out what to do about speakers.

[hulakatt]

Generally speaking, if the amp is unmodified and the transformers are original and working, most of the rest can be put right

Always been my approach as well.

[hulakatt]

GC had one on their site. $650+tax/shipping still came out to $720. Less than the other, pre-tax. I live 10 min from a GC in case I need to make a return, and shipping aside, $650 seemed like a pretty good deal based on market research.

If I get it and it's a dud, it goes back, no additional shipping cost to me and I keep looking. If I get it and it works, great, I'll play it, maybe check to see if filter caps have been changed, and plan on a trip to the tech before too long.

So, in short, I just bought a 100W Fender tube amp for $650, and I'm feeling pretty good about that.

Sounds like a good plan. I've bough a few vintage amps from GC's used section and most needed a little tune up (caps and such) and were other wise pretty damn solid.

Now I just need to figure out what to do about speakers.

Quad of Reeves Purple's!