I think it's real, but that it's been recovered and recapped. See that thing on the tone control that looks like a lt. brown domino? That is a 50's silver mica capacitor just like Fender would use in that time period. Same cap you'd see on a 50's tweed Bassman or Twin or Super. The output transformer does appear to be a period corerect Triad...looks like the right one. The speaker has been replaced with a newer alnico 12 speaker...it's not a 50's Jensen Blueframe P12R or P12Q as it should be. Looks like an Eminence speaker to me...a new one. The tweed looks like it's been recovered and the grill cloth regrilled and a new handle added.
The grill cloth is new. Maybe even a new baffle. See how old the chassis looks? The white lettering has almost disappeared from use. Can't even read "Deluxe" on it and the volume and tone lettering is almost worn off too. That amp has been completely restored. The transformers look old, although there's also a lead coming off of the power transformer that looks like it's been taped off. That's suspect.
There's probably some people who would pay $1200 for it. I wouldn't! But it's worth more than it's sitting at right now I think...if the cabinet and speaker panel are original. It's hard to tell from the photos. It might be a '54 or '54 chassis in a newer cabinet...or it might be the original cabinet. Hard to tell. Lew
There ya go. I was thinking $800 would still be a good deal for it. I wouldn't pay $960 myself. But if that amp was in a store I'd expect to see it tagged at over $1200. Lew
