Metaltronix. Why such poor resale value?

[Animal]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Metaltronix-...ryZ10171QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I've seen one of these pop up with a similar price on Ebay before and I can't help to wonder why an amp with such power, features, rarity and the fact it was designed by Lee Jackson sell for so cheap? I paid about the same for my beaten up 50 watt Laney AOR that runs on 120v American power. Most JCM800 heads here go for $1000+.

From the reviews I've read I kind of get the vibe that it suffers from possesing that "thin and raspy" 80's metal tone. I guess the cheesy name and appearance doesn't help. Anyone here heard this amp in person?

In my current situation it would be total overkill even considering this amp as I need to down size my gear but it would nice to know if this is a "jump on it" opportunity.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Metaltronix. Why such poor resale value?

I remember when Lee Jackson had a shop in the LA area, and made his living modding JMP's and JCM's. Some of his bigger customers were George Lynch, Paul Gilbert, and tons of LA metal bands. He even paid for a radio commercial on the local rock stations, where the slogan was 'built to blast' and then you'd hear some riffs played by Paul Gilbert.

I worked at Guitar Center at the time, and we got some of his Metaltronix amps. Not bad, but they didn't have the midrange grunt of his modded Marshalls. They also were made for gain, and didn't have much in the way of midgain tones. Whatever you read on harmony central is probably dead on.
I haven't checked, but I know they didn't catch on and become a big hit, but I attribute that to the music changing away from shred to grunge, more than anything. I'm curious about what Lee Jackson does nowadays. I don't hear his name come up a lot anymore. His heyday was 83-92.

 

[Animal]

Re: Metaltronix. Why such poor resale value?

Well, just as I suspected someone has already bought it. If I was valve-amp ampless then I would of jumped on it.

 

[taphappy]

Re: Metaltronix. Why such poor resale value?

Do those amps actually nail lynch and gilbert tones?

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Metaltronix. Why such poor resale value?

I had two Lee Jackson amps--a Crate Stealth and a Lee Jackson head and cab. The Lee Jackson was an XLS-1000 and the pic is below. Don't have any pics of the Stealth, but I think it was the GT-50 combo. It comes in head form also. The Stealth sounded like a transistor radio at low volumes, but when cranked it roared! Lacked a bit of bottom but I guess an EQ could help with that. Same with the Lee Jackson amp. Mine was a half stack in tweed. Really sweet. To me it sounded like a hot rodded JCM 800. Again, lacked a bit of bottom end (to my ears anyway).

The Stealth is one UGLY amp, but it sounds great and LOUD. I think the Metaltronix may have bad resale because of that as well. It's ugly. I know we don't like to think we are that shallow, but how many times have you looked at an amp and not even cared what it sounded like because it was so ugly. Even after hearing it maybe thinking it doesn't sound good because of what it looks like, lol.