Further to my thread about letting things go...
I am considering selling or even trading the above. I have owned it since I was a teen (in the mid-80s) and at that point it had a really tatty homemade head box, which didn't really dawn on me until a bit later. No idea what the story may have been.
FF to now... In 2016 I made a much nicer box for it so to the non-expert it looks mighty attractive. I realise there are aftermarket repro jobs available from people like
@Modulus_Amps but it was for the fun of it as much as anything else, and really I made it for myself so I didn't mind a few shortcomings (ie not correct tolex and used the ply I had - 18mm instead of 15mm.
One thing it had not had for a looong time was a thorough service. Since I had commissioned an Aviator combo from Gartone, I decided to give the head to Martin. He did a great job sorting everything out and was typically thorough and sensitive to the period. I still have the old parts and receipt. Some things that I found interesting were that there was something unusual about the way the power was organised (I have no idea what he was on about!)and he reckoned it was a transitional design (quite dangerous, iirc) and that he had never seen it before. Also he had a '65 JTM in at the same time and he said mine blew it away and was probably the best Marshall he had ever heard by the time he was finished. I was amazed and obviously had never heard it at its best!
Trouble is I never use it these days as I have a Cornell 18/20 combo - much more practical and whilst not the same, close enough sound.
So if I were to sell, should I buy a better box and what about a fair price? Or should I keep it? I have seen these described as Holy Grail and silly prices on Reverb. Even my wife is unsure about me selling!
I am thinking about building up the funds for an old ES345.
Comments
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
I've been playing with the idea of selling it. I once had it for sale on reverb and the guy from musicground bought it for £3000. I refused to sell it to him and refunded his money. I couldn't stand the idea of having my amp butchered for parts.
But I might sell it later this year, as I'm not playing it.
I am going to try and resolve my blockage with posting pics - separate hard drive and so on. Will try and work that out now.
If buying a box for, say, £500 adds £1000 then I might be up for that but if it isn't worth it, I am maybe not bothered.
I am pretty sure the internals have not been messed about much. Only thing I remember was the presence knob was not original, nor one of the rear selector plugs.The neon was literally broken but Martin replaced it with one that looks the sameThe switches are common to many old amps - one black, one silver. IIRC the caps and choke were replaced, but there were other things too. I only play them! :-)
Mr Modulus - very interesting idea to have the amp copied. But surely that would cost a load?
Anyway - back soon with pics if I can work it out.
Cheers
I am jesting not course. I’m always amazed at the knowledge and ideas that comes from this forum. It’s great.
I have nearly got the pics together...
I can't work out how to do more than the above yet. Does it work for you?
All my pics were in the wake of the cab build, which was before Martin serviced it, so guts somewhat different later.
I can't figure it all out - I give up! Sorry, admin!!
I guess this amp might be worth £3k or so.
I may try and dismantle again for some fresh guts pics though the more people come on and say how great these are the more it makes me want to hold on to it.
Maybe the Cornell should go instead!