You all have less than 24 hours to vote, should I sell the Gretsch and buy this?

[BigAlTheBird]

I have an opportunity to sell my 1954 Gretsch amp, to buy this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=300207149835&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=020

It's a 1957 Gibson GA-40. One in slightly better cosmetic condition sold for $1,200 plus shipping 2 weeks ago. Plus, the one in the auction I'm watching was just completely overhauled - new tubes/caps/transformer/cord, everything. So it's good to go for years. That's not to mention that the GA-40 is one of the Holy Grails of Gibson amps, with perfect condition ones going up to and surpassing $1500.

About the Gretsch, I love the amp. When I close my window and leave for a few hours, it fills up my room with the most glorious smell of all time. I love its looks. I love everything about it. But a dude offered me 4 times what I paid for it yesterday. So that would almost pay for the $900 GA-40. I can cover the rest.

Should I do it? It'd be trading one sure investment for another, but which amp will be a better investment 30 years from now? The Gibson will sound better, that's basically unquestionable. But the Gretsch might have more mojo.

What should I do!? If God likes me, he'll make one or both deals impossible, and my answer will be easy with no regrets.

Thanks guys. Here's pics to help you:

vs.​

 

[BigAlTheBird]

Re: You all have less than 24 hours to vote, should I sell the Gretsch and buy this?

Here's what a mint '57 GA40 looks like, by the way. The wood and leather won't ever be that good obviously, but I can replace the 'Les Paul' logo and the Gibson logo.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: You all have less than 24 hours to vote, should I sell the Gretsch and buy this?

Sometimes, you have to ask yourself what amp is going to make you complete as a musician.....first and foremost, before resale value, collectibility etc.

The upside is that it's louder, has a better speaker, and was gone through by the guy at Amp Hole, whom I've dealt with before.

The downside is you have to part with a cool timepiece, and the new amp is $900 and not in better condition.

My real opinion is that you should cash out of that Gretsch with the chincy car stereo speakers, unless you really love it. Take advantage of the offer.

However, I wouldn't buy that Gibson. I'd spend the money on a better amp. It may not have the historical vintage vibe, but buying a newer amp that's handwired for the same money might result in better tone altogether. Get something like a Dr. Z or Vibroking. Based on the music you like, those will have a richer and better tone.

 

[BigAlTheBird]

Re: You all have less than 24 hours to vote, should I sell the Gretsch and buy this?

"chincy car stereo speakers" lol

No love for Gretsch's awesome oval speakers huh?

Here's the deal - if I wait (God knows if that means 6 months or 20 years) I can get far more than $600 or $700. The '54s just simply don't exist, so it'll pull a lot more than that if I ever really want to sell it. And I do love the amp, more than many things.

I guess my question was "is the GA-40 as good as people say it is." Because if you ask fans of it, they'll tell you it's the best amp of the period and one of the best all time. But I wanted to know if that's bias, or if there's truth. $900 for it seems to be a good deal, but I also wanted to know if anyone with experience knows concretely about how good a deal that really is.

Part of the reason I like these old amps so much is just because of that - they're old. I like the feel and smell and look of old things more than the new ones. I could get a Dr. Z (and likely someday will), but honest to God right now I want something cool and old to compliment the fantastic sounds coming from my Falcon.

I get your point, and I'm not dismissing it - at all. But there's something wrong with my brain - I just really want an awesome old 50's amp at the moment. However, if the GA40 isn't the 'holy grail' amp that many people claim it to be, then fair enough.

Make sense?

 

[BigAlTheBird]

Re: You all have less than 24 hours to vote, should I sell the Gretsch and buy this?

To make my point shorter, you said "take advantage of the offer." Well, that offer (of $600) is taking advantage of me. The awesome fact that I only paid $150+shipping has nothing to do with maximizing profits now - simply put I can bring more than $600 if I'm really motivated to sell (and likely more than $1000 if I find the right buyer).

My question is, is $900 taking advantage of the GA-40, and is that amp as awesome as people make it out to be? Is it worth taking the hit on the Gretsch?

Thanks for the help, btw.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: You all have less than 24 hours to vote, should I sell the Gretsch and buy this?

Here is the deal brother...

Those Gretsch amps for sure have a very unique tone and if you dig it, keep it because you'll never get that tone out of anything else.

Now, as for the Les Paul amp, those are pretty cool amps however there was articles written about them in both recent Tone Quest mags as well as Vintage Guitar...since then they prices have gone WAY up. Up to far to be honest...that one you're looking at is at $900 right now and thats more money than a near mint one would have sold for this time last year!

The real quesiton is this...why do you want the Gretsch...if the answer is simply because it says gretsch and the fact that it smells old you are keeping it for the wrong reasons. Also, why would you want the Gibson...and more importantly are you ready to pay way inflated prices for it because it recently got some cover in magazines?

Another thing to keep in mind is the cost to up keep an amp, and in your case...old amps. I know this because Im in the same board with you...all my stuff is old. Just something to think about, with that Gibson amp...that P12P is more than likely still in decent shape but I wouldn't gig with it...it's old and getting dry and could easily drop a voice coil, a new speaker woudl be a MUST IMO to make it gig ready then look at tubes, the cost of the tubes used in that amp are pretty high...the rectifier and power tubes are not too bad but those preamp tubes are getting up there...and there are no current production versions out there so tube cost on that beast is gonna be high.

 

[Sanford]

Re: You all have less than 24 hours to vote, should I sell the Gretsch and buy this?

I voted "keep the Gretsch" for only one reason: Pabst Blue Ribbon.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: You all have less than 24 hours to vote, should I sell the Gretsch and buy this?

i'm pretty sure that Les Paul amp is the roaring voice of god I was talking about yesterday.

 

[darnright]

Re: You all have less than 24 hours to vote, should I sell the Gretsch and buy this?

I vote keep the Gretsch!! You can and will find another Gibson amp, but you may never find a Gretsch amp like you have. Besides your true allegiance is to Gretsch...not Gibson. So...Keep the Gretsch!!

-dave

 

[BigAlTheBird]

Re: You all have less than 24 hours to vote, should I sell the Gretsch and buy this?

Thanks everyone, I appreciate it!

The real quesiton is this...why do you want the Gretsch...if the answer is simply because it says gretsch and the fact that it smells old you are keeping it for the wrong reasons.

I agreed with everything else - and your point about the Gibson being too expensive was well taken. So thank you.

But dude - no this is what motivates my life. I would rather have all of the coolest amps ever made than all of the best. Because quite frankly, I don't have enough time a day where I can crank them. There's 2 days a week where I can crank my amps for a few hours, and I take advantage of it. But the other 5 days, I need to stare at them.

That smell that fills my room, the looks she gives at me all day, these things are the reasons I love amps. I will never keep an amp that doesn't sound good. But lots of people have Vibrokings. Yeah, it's better than this - unquestionably. Name anyone who has a '54 Gretsch Twin. Christian, you may know a few (since you seem to be God when it comes to amps). But most people don't know any.

Everything I buy is predicated on "if I sell this tomorrow, will I make a profit." Everything. That's what I wanted to know about the Gibson - and I'm happy I was wrong. I buy old amps and guitars because they will never go down in resale. And I buy them dirt cheap. I buy used pedals because when I have a fire sale, like this weekend, I want to make a profit on everything. Like this weekend, I made money on every single thing I sold, over what I paid for it.

So in the long run, 20 years from now, which will be the better investment? And the answer definitely seems to be 'Gretsch.'

So it's cooler, more rare, more cost-effective, and it will sell for more. Quite frankly dudes - I've got my 'voice of God' amp. I don't need another one that sounds incredible right now. Right now, I want assets. So Gretsch it is for me! I'll go e-mail the guy now saying no deal. Thanks a lot for the help, it really means a lot to me.

 

[darnright]

Re: You all have less than 24 hours to vote, should I sell the Gretsch and buy this?

You, Sir, are more than welcome......

-dave

 

[BigAlTheBird]

Re: You all have less than 24 hours to vote, should I sell the Gretsch and buy this?

Thanks Dave

Just sent e-mails to both guys saying "no deal, but thank you." And I *guarantee* either the Gretsch guy comes back offering more, or the Gibson guy lowers his price. Or both.

Guarantee it.

Now we sit back and have fun.

 

[J Moose]

Re: You all have less than 24 hours to vote, should I sell the Gretsch and buy this?

Now, as for the Les Paul amp, those are pretty cool amps however there was articles written about them in both recent Tone Quest mags as well as Vintage Guitar...since then they prices have gone WAY up. Up to far to be honest...that one you're looking at is at $900 right now and thats more money than a near mint one would have sold for this time last year!

Indeed.

I passed on a GA40 a year or two back at maybe $300. Was rather thrashed & didn't have room for it here...

I can't add anything to what Jonser & Fireman have said...

Great advice there.

Stuff to ponder.

Me? I'd rather have a 'new' amp that works!

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: You all have less than 24 hours to vote, should I sell the Gretsch and buy this?

I think you made the best disision for you. I understand about wanting to never loose money but let me tell you something...when an amp, guitar or pedal get a lot of attention real quick they always shoot up in price then after the fire burns out they drop back down...just keep that in mind...

 

[Fender_Punk]

Re: You all have less than 24 hours to vote, should I sell the Gretsch and buy this?

Stick with the Gretsch. That thing just LOOKS like it's got tons of mojo. Also matches your Gretsch Jet very nicely!! I bet they sound amazing together. Besides, you already have a Gibby amp, keep the match and the diversity.

EDIT: Saw your above posts. You made a very wise decision with sound reasons.

 

[BigAlTheBird]

Re: You all have less than 24 hours to vote, should I sell the Gretsch and buy this?

I think you made the best disision for you. I understand about wanting to never loose money but let me tell you something...when an amp, guitar or pedal get a lot of attention real quick they always shoot up in price then after the fire burns out they drop back down...just keep that in mind...

Thanks dude. I guess my original question - which has been answered a bunch of times - was "is this 40 ready to shoot in value, or did it happen."

I bought my Falcon for $175, and you can see them going for $500+ all the time. I bought my Minuteman for $150, and sold it for $330. So yeah, I definitely understand how those Gibson amps are shooting at the moment.

If I sell the Gretsch, it'll only be to fund another amp I can sell for four times the money.

Thanks again guys, I'm glad I have you all! I was only gonna do it if there was overwhelming support to do it (that is if everyone was saying to sell the Gretsch). Glad it's the opposite.

J Moose, I've got my 'new-ish amp that works.' Only need one bro! Now it's time for 20 more amps from the 40's and 50's that work to varying degrees.

I might never own a new amp.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: You all have less than 24 hours to vote, should I sell the Gretsch and buy this?

Just say no to new amps

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: You all have less than 24 hours to vote, should I sell the Gretsch and buy this?

Just say no to new amps

And the reason for this would be?

 

[BigAlTheBird]

Re: You all have less than 24 hours to vote, should I sell the Gretsch and buy this?

And the reason for this would be?

I'm not sure if he's joking, but I don't particularly like new amps - especially reissues.

I like the aura around old amps. I like the imperfections. I like how they were handbuilt, and production numbers were low. I like knowing that only 500 something other '54 Gretsch Twins have ever existed in the world. I love the smells, and the sounds. I love buying NOS tubes.

New amps are based on old amps, but without the rectifier tube (in many cases), not handwired, and also not point to point. I couldn't care less if they sound better, I don't buy amps purely for sound. Just like I don't buy cars purely based on how fast they can go. I need a mix.

Also, new amps won't appreciate in value the same way - ever. It can never be comparable. They are produced in vastly higher numbers than old amps, and the old ones they are based on will always exist. So old ones will always command more money. It's just economics. Buy old ones now, and they'll be worth even more later!

So these reasons plus more is why I'll likely never buy a new amp. Well, I certainly will never buy one in a music store - you lose 50% when you walk out the door. The single worst thing you can do as a musician - in my opinion.

Then again, money means more to me than music.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: You all have less than 24 hours to vote, should I sell the Gretsch and buy this?

I dunno ... I like vintage gear, but I refuse to buy something simply because it's vintage. It has to work for me. I don't care if Leo Fender himself made it with capacitors hand-rolled by the Virgin Mary; if I don't get what I want from it, it's worthless to me.

If I showed up at an audition with only a guitar and was given the choice between playing through an original tweed Deluxe and a Line 6 Spider Valve, I'd pick the Spider Valve every time. I wouldn't even hesitate. Don't get me wrong: I love the Tweed Deluxe, but it is severely lacking for what I want to do. Besides, how the hell could I take something like that out of the house? I'd be absolutely terrified of having it stolen or damaged.

Go ahead and tell me I'm an idiot with bad taste ... I don't care. You can't deny that there are plenty of old amps that are terrible junk no matter how you look at them. Of course, there are some real gems out there, but isn't that true of modern amps as well? Why pigeonhole yourself into one era?