main concern of buying an old amp

[castiron]

hey guys ive got my eye set on a mid 60s blackface bassman that i assume has been retubed and i know it has been recapped. i guess my question is for all you vintage gear heads out there, what would you be more concerned about? like original parts, certain kind of caps, tubes...?


thanks,
chris

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: main concern of buying an old amp

Make sure if it's had a cap job, or any work for that matter they used good parts and that they work was well done. Make sure it works correctly on all channels, all controls, etc. Also, if you're paying fair market price for it make sure it is in solid shape with original transformers. There are loads of little things to look for depending on the amp and such, things that you'll learn as you get more into older amps but checking the guts and trannys as well as the physical condition of the cab and such will get you started...

 

[Baltar]

Re: main concern of buying an old amp

i would check if it still has the original blue molded coupling caps inside.
they rarely break, but some amptechs replace them when doing a service, just
to be on the safe side.
some people say that they tonal coloring of these caps are part of the classic
blackface sound.
hobbycloners like me would love to have a set of those for their mainamp, but
the prices on ebay for these caps are insane.

 

[castiron]

Re: main concern of buying an old amp

thanks guys i appreciate it. i have some pictures...

all original except caps. i know literally nothing about nanofabrication except how to spell it hahah.

 

[glassman]

Re: main concern of buying an old amp

Nice looking amp! The cap job leaves a little to be desired though. The 22uF/450V cap on the far right of the power board should be an 8uF/450V cap; until that's changed, don't expect it to sound its best.

Other than that, it appears to be a good, clean, straight example of what a Bassman should look like.