How much would you pay for a non-functioning tube head without knowing the issue?

A

Adieu

New member
There's a local guy selling an allegedly busted Marshall TSL 100... could be as little as a blown fuse or dead tube, could be ???

He wants 300... should I offer him 200?
 
Re: How much would you pay for a non-functioning tube head without knowing the issue?

If it's a bad tube, it's worth a look. If the circuits are corroded, it might not be worth your time.

Tell him your interested but won't pull the trigger until he can diagnose the issue.
 
Re: How much would you pay for a non-functioning tube head without knowing the issue?

Do you have someone you can take with you that knows tube amps? Tube amps can be so finicky. I would offer him $200, but only if you're comfortable losing that $200 outright.
 
Re: How much would you pay for a non-functioning tube head without knowing the issue?

Chistopher said:
If it's a bad tube, it's worth a look. If the circuits are corroded, it might not be worth your time.

Tell him your interested but won't pull the trigger until he can diagnose the issue.
Click to expand...

If he diagnoses the issue, it won't be a cheap deal anymore lol
 
Re: How much would you pay for a non-functioning tube head without knowing the issue?

Old Guy said:
Do you have someone you can take with you that knows tube amps? Tube amps can be so finicky. I would offer him $200, but only if you're comfortable losing that $200 outright.
Click to expand...

I've opened up a TSL before, to change voltage to Euro mains...it's a bunch of PCBs inside, but should still be serviceable
 
Re: How much would you pay for a non-functioning tube head without knowing the issue?

Tough call not knowing. If it were me, I'd offer $100 and perhaps bump it up to $150 if he didn't accept that. As someone else said 'Only if you'd be willing to gamble on losing the purchase price' if it is too costly to repair. :dunno:
 
Re: How much would you pay for a non-functioning tube head without knowing the issue?

IM4Tone said:
Tough call not knowing. If it were me, I'd offer $100 and perhaps bump it up to $150 if he didn't accept that. As someone else said 'Only if you'd be willing to gamble on losing the purchase price' if it is too costly to repair. :dunno:
Click to expand...

Oh I wouldn't PAY to repair it... I'd try to DIY

And the whole exercise would be a for-profit project
 
Re: How much would you pay for a non-functioning tube head without knowing the issue?

Most fried electronics components look visibly burnt on death though, right?

Does that thing have any IC's or pure analog?
 
Re: How much would you pay for a non-functioning tube head without knowing the issue?

That's about 50% off the typical used price for a TSL. If it was any other amp but a JCM2000 it would be low risk. Some JCM2000 DSLs and TSLs prior to the mid 2000 years eventually developed a problem called bias drift, though. Bias drift was caused by the board breaking down, probably from heat, and becoming conductive beyond the traces. The only proper fix is a new board. The board could cost the extra $300. There is a upgraded replacement board available from places like AES. If it is after a certain year (2005?) then bias drift is not an issue. Not saying that is the problem here, but it could be. Find out how the amp was behaving before it quit working.
 
Re: How much would you pay for a non-functioning tube head without knowing the issue?

Adieu said:
Most fried electronics components look visibly burnt on death though, right?

Does that thing have any IC's or pure analog?
Click to expand...

No, you can have a fried resistor for example and it can take out several components around it with no sign of damage.....the thing is full of ICs....
 
Re: How much would you pay for a non-functioning tube head without knowing the issue?

I looked it only has 1 IC on the motherboard?

Guy says it powers up but "makes wacky sounds"... that's a clean the insides and find the fried tube issue most likely, right?

Talked him down to $200 it seems... worst case it's a new $225 motherboard, otherwise roll through some preamp tubes from working amps... unfortunately my Mesa and Bugera are 6L6-powered, but I can pull pairs to find the dead EL34 on a Marshall right?
 
Last edited:
Re: How much would you pay for a non-functioning tube head without knowing the issue?

I bought a dead Peavey Rock Master 120-watt tube head from a guy for $25 back in 1988. Turned out to be a 25-cent internal blown fuse. Just a killer amp, too.

Good luck!

Bill
 
Re: How much would you pay for a non-functioning tube head without knowing the issue?

I think it’s worth $200 all day.
 
Re: How much would you pay for a non-functioning tube head without knowing the issue?

Just the amp enclosure is worth about $150 - $200 depending on the market. I would roll the dice.
 
Re: How much would you pay for a non-functioning tube head without knowing the issue?

Bought it. $200 with footswitch and manual (!).

After money and goods changed hands, guy said it actually sorta-worked... but got iffy after long operation.

Also said that it has new-ish glass.... hmm. Well we'll see once I open her up, but that could be both fortunate and highly UNfortunate.

On the PLUS side.... it's grimy as hell, so maybe even some alcohol and contact cleaner assault might improve things.

What else....hmm, something rattled around in the back of my SUV, so something might be loose inside. Then again, COULD also just be the reverb tank

Oh well.... powered it up and we'll see. With the rather restrictive rear grate, I can see 7 tubes lit up --- 3 12ax7 babies and 4 big power bottles.... should be 8 no?

COULD get lucky and just be one 12ax7 preamp tube away from mission accomplished???
 
Re: How much would you pay for a non-functioning tube head without knowing the issue?

As long as it's not the output transformer -it's likely not expensive to fix.
 
Re: How much would you pay for a non-functioning tube head without knowing the issue?

Nope no dice on first attempt.... and one of the 12ax7's had a cover on it, so all 8 heat up
 
Re: How much would you pay for a non-functioning tube head without knowing the issue?

Looking forward to seeing how this goes. I want to get into amp tinkering.

Good luck!
 
Re: How much would you pay for a non-functioning tube head without knowing the issue?

Hey Adieu, I just want to mention because I don't know your tinkering level -but you need to dissipate the filter Capacitors before messing around in there too much. You can die from stored energy in a 100W amp -long after it's powered down.

I'm sure theres a good video online with the TSL100 -my Marshall knowledge for where components are ends at JCM900s unless you post pics

FOUnd one
https://youtu.be/2iqmDf0QIyM

Sorry if you know all this already -but even though I don't know you, I do care.:haha:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Nostalgic Distortion
Should I Buy a 2014 Melody Maker, & no it's not a redundant question, LOL!!!
Replies
19
Views
2K
Duffy1949
Duffy1949
Gr8Scott
How much would you pay?
Replies
7
Views
472
theodie
T
Back
Top