Tips on selling modded gear?

[korovamilkdud]

Here's my dilemma. It's one I've run into in the past.

I have an amplifier I modified. It has a switch that can toggle between KT88 and EL34 type tubes (with a little re-biasing, you can run either type).

The amp has not been damaged whatsoever. STILL, I'm anticpating the ugly truth.

Even though the amp has more flexibility now,
Even though the amp sounds great,
Even though there is not cosmetic damage incurred...

It is STILL probably going to sell for less than it would if I had left it stock.

So...any tips on pushing modified equipment so that people understand the amp has been IMPROVED upon, rather than damaged (which oddly enough, is the conclusion buyers immediately jump to since everyone's a cynical bastard these days)?:banghead:

 

[ES350]

Re: Tips on selling modded gear?

If it's a vintage piece, you may have to take the hit or remove the mod; the cork sniffers want bone stock, even if it is less functional (there are tweed guys out there who want the original 50 yr old filter caps). If it's a recent item, it may not be as much of an issue. Good luck...

 

[elscorcho]

Re: Tips on selling modded gear?

One suggestion would be to post some sound clips(if selling online) showing off the mods....that would instill confidence that you haven't turned it into a buzzbomb...

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Tips on selling modded gear?

As a buyer, I would ask "who are you, and why should I trust your mods? You're not a "name" modder I'm familiar with, so how do I know you're not some hack who read a paraphrased snippet on some website and decided to give it the Old College Try, borked the mod, and are now looking to scam some poor schmuck?"

That's why it would hurt your chances of getting a good price.

Sure it may be a simple mod any space-chimp could do, but on the other hand it could also blow every tube in the amp and fry the transformers as well as send the ice maker in the fridge into a spaz attack or bake my new bigscreen.

 

[korovamilkdud]

Re: Tips on selling modded gear?

I suppose I could try to load a couple sound clips, but man...computers and I don't always get along. I could record an A/B with Audacity, but I'm not even sure I could load the MP3 onto a Craigslist or Ebay page.

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: Tips on selling modded gear?

I suppose I could try to load a couple sound clips, but man...computers and I don't always get along. I could record an A/B with Audacity, but I'm not even sure I could load the MP3 onto a Craigslist or Ebay page.

don't even go that far. just upload a soundclick, myspace, etc... mp3 and link it to whatever trade medium you will be using.

 

[Markk]

Re: Tips on selling modded gear?

I would go with a video on YouTube. Record the amp, explain what's been done, and then play it to show it works. Link that to whatever page you're selling the amp on.

Or maybe even get a certified tech check the amp and show a certificate of safety or something like that.

 

[aleclee]

Re: Tips on selling modded gear?

Everyone thinks that their mods are an "improvement" but resale value is as much about demand as quality.

Reverse the mods or take the loss like a man. People don't like to consider resale value when they ask about modding guitars and amps but the ugly truth is that unless it's a well-known mod, the best you're gonna do is lose no resale value.

That said, your best bet to get your money out is to show that the mod won't impact reliability (aside from the doofus who flips the switch with the wrong tube type installed) and in the right mode the amp sounds identical to stock. I wouldn't spend time on clips or videos to show how great it is unless you can A/B it with an unmodded equivalent.