[Harp-L] Amps on Ebay

[SONNYTONE@xxxxxxx]

Ok, I was going to stay off for a while, but this one I could not resist.  
Being the research nut and wanting to try every amp on the planet so I know what 
 is possible for tone, I have literally bought thousands of amps off ebay, 
and  all I can say is, EXPECT to have to have the amp serviced, no matter what 
they  say, what tech gave it their "seal of approval". Basically it comes to  
subjectiveness. To some, stating an amp is in "good working condition", means 
it  did not catch fire upon turning on, Although I have had some flamethrowers, 
yes  actually flames, and the biggest buyer beware is:::::AMP WORKS GREAT, 
SELLING AS  IS.   That is unfortunately part of American society today, the  get 
over attitutude, because when you get the amp and it works like crap, they  
revert to the. Read the item description, I said selling AS IS. The works great 
 part means absolutely nothing. SPEAKERS. No average Joe selling an amp has 
the  ability to properly test a speaker, if they plug in at very low volume, 
usually  a guitar, and it makes a sound, they say amp sounds good. Voice coil 
rubs where  now you must send the speaker for recone are extremely common in 40 
Plus year  old amps, its just paper. Case in point, I bought that very rare 59 
Concert with  original P10R's, the guy stated the amp sounded great when I 
asked about  speakers. I get the amp, all four speakers are completely dry 
rotted, blown,  torn, he still said when he played it they were fine. I have tried 
to raise the  bar, look at the 57 original bassman I have up for $2200, I 
stand behind  everything I do and hopefully raise the bar so others will do the 
same, service  it perfectly. NOW that ridiculous bassman, I dont have to tell 
you how many  bassmans I have owned, originals, they are just a series of parts, 
I too waited  for Little Walter to deliver the amps when I spent a lot for 
them, but no.  Astron capacitors that after investing $2500 in Sencore capacitor 
analyzer did I  realize how much they leak, are out of tolerance, which 
explains why one bassman  sounds different than the next, no two are alike. Why 
they go ga ga over  original tweed is beyond me, but besides that, I have ALL the 
parts, the  original transformers, tested good original yellow astrons, ( the 
ones I use in  my amps are better, but cant convince some of those guys, mine 
are Astrons that  will never leak in 100 years ), original Jensen P10R 
speakers from 1959, every  part of the amp that should be original, will be. I am 
putting it together now  and see if anyone truly wants the sound, or to have an 
amp that sits in the  corner and they call their friends over to show them, 
look what I have. Anything  with original coned speakers from the 50's, beware, 
probably needs a recone.  Even guys that sell speakers and say they tested for 
voice coil rubs have sent  me items that did not meet up to their 
description. I am actually blocked from  bidding from some speaker sellers because I know 
my stuff with that and call  them on it when they send something that isnt 
right. 
SOOOOO, bottom line with amps on ebay, just expect to have them properly  
serviced, but one of the main things to ask the seller is: Does the amp have any  
hums, hisses , or crackles.  That will give a basic idea of what to expect.  
When they say, amp makes noise, probably just a tube, Hell no it isnt. Amp has 
 hissing , probably just the pots need spraying, Try again, or amp hums like 
all  older amps do,,, PLEASE. Any amp can be made to be almost dead quiet, 
some  actually can, just how far you want to go and keep original tone. The paper 
in  oil capacitors I use in my Sonny's were well researched and used in the 
60's and  today by audiophiles, guys who want the purest and most consistent 
reproduction  of sound, I was fortunate to buy out a few old time electronics 
stores of all  theirs, so if you have an older amp you want to sound like it 
should, for now I  would be happy to hook anyone up with proper caps for their 
rigs as long as I  have supply. They are not too cheap but nor were they to buy 
and know what to  buy. Even having a 3 prong cord which is a must unless you 
are a masochist and  enjoy electric shock to your mouth, can run 15 -20 bucks 
from a tech to install.  So good luck with vintage amps off ebay.  And Mark, I 
hear you, I am on the  hit list of MANY a wife, it comes down to, if you buy 
that one last amp you will  ever need, you damn sure better have a present 
waiting for the Mrs., or take TWO  Viagra and catch her while she is still in 
bliss:)))))