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12 December 2020, 08:42 AM | #1 |
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Blind purchase: watch or guitar amp?
For you guys who do watches and guitars (and there is much overlap between the hobbies): would you rather buy a luxury watch you haven’t tried on, or a boutique amp you haven’t gotten to test drive? Why?
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12 December 2020, 09:20 AM | #2 |
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I don’t need a new amp . I’m still using the Ampeg SVT I bought used in 1978 .
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12 December 2020, 11:54 AM | #3 |
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I would feel much safer going for an amp blind. I just know what I am getting, and assuming it is legit, a tech could fix anything up. But with watches, so many I have loved in photos and cabinet but not liked at all on my wrist. Seems like there is more of a risk when it comes to ‘bonding’ with a wristwatch but that’s just me.
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12 December 2020, 11:57 AM | #4 |
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Well, here are some of my amps ...
Safer with a watch, tone picky |
12 December 2020, 12:03 PM | #5 |
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12 December 2020, 12:04 PM | #6 |
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I have all the [bass] amps I need, so probably the watch. Easier to flip if it didn't work out.
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12 December 2020, 12:09 PM | #7 |
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I going with the amp on this one. I have a lot more fun with the amps then I do with the the watches. First one up is a Special Edition Fender Deluxe that was sent to George Alessando for a re-wire. http://alessandro-products.com/
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12 December 2020, 12:12 PM | #8 |
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Thank you, that's the half of it, more below, stock gets rotated frequently.
The poster on the far left is an oversize poster of Rory Gallaghers Strat, really cool. The Bluesbreaker style amps are made by a Boutique builder Greg Germino. The Green one on the left is a early JTM 45 recreation with the Radio Spares style transformer. KT66 power tubes, 2x12 Heritage Greenbacks The black one next to it is a recreation of a JMP 50 but in 35 Watt mode. EL34s running at lower voltage. Germinos link below, if you're not familiar with his work, check his gut shots. Impeccable wiring, all hand made https://www.germinoamplification.com/ Below is the other side of the room |
12 December 2020, 12:15 PM | #9 |
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Next up is my Vintage Sound 22SC. It’s how Leo should have built the Deluxe Reverb. Built by Rick Haynes in Florida. https://www.vintagesoundamps.com/
When it comes time to sell, the watches will be much easier.
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12 December 2020, 12:19 PM | #10 |
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I have a small collection of nice amps, and I always want more... so probably amp... But it's really a tough choice.
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12 December 2020, 12:20 PM | #11 | |
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@ Rich, that Deluxe Reverb looks very nice too. Must admit, I absolutely love amps, but a switch in my brain has been flicked, and I am far more absorbed by watches and horology these past two years. I will always keep a couple of favourite amps around though. I love vintage Fenders. The sound, but also the look and the smell! |
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12 December 2020, 12:22 PM | #12 | |
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I love what he does, Blackface Fenders are my favorite
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12 December 2020, 12:25 PM | #13 | |
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Deluxe Reverb is my favorite amp.
I have a Pre CBS 1964 Deluxe Reverb one of my favorites. All original transformers, tone caps, speaker ... all the good stuff More pics, and gut shots below http://rconnelly.com/64DeluxeReverb/ Quote:
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12 December 2020, 12:32 PM | #14 | |
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12 December 2020, 12:37 PM | #15 |
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The watch. Musical stuff is hard to offload if you don't like it.
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12 December 2020, 12:50 PM | #16 |
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OK , for this illustrious group of tone connoisseurs, let me share my Holy Grail
1965 Fender Twin Reverb. All original (except power tubes, but NOS GE 6L6s) In the pic below you can see the original receipt Got it about a year ago Many more pics and gut shots at the link below Crazy clean condtion All original electronics, Filter caps, tone caps, transformers, even preamp tubes. http://rconnelly.com/65TwinReverb/ |
12 December 2020, 12:52 PM | #17 | |
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12 December 2020, 12:59 PM | #18 | |
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Yes, mine has Oxfords also.
Love the Princeton, I have a Reissue in a Sunburst cab. But I cable out to a Marshall 1974x cab with an Heritage Greenback That is a tone of Beauty Cant really find a 10inch speaker that floats my boat Looking for a vintage one ... Mine looks like this Quote:
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12 December 2020, 11:59 PM | #19 | |
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13 December 2020, 12:41 AM | #20 |
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Current little rig, big rig, and a classic rig from the past.
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13 December 2020, 01:00 AM | #21 |
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I bought a Reissue Princeton Reverb that I never tried out, but I had played through vintage Princeton's in the past. Completely satisfied.
Most of my watch purchases have been made without trying them on first... |
13 December 2020, 08:19 AM | #22 |
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I love your gear Dan, especially the vintage Precision Basses and that B-15! As you probably noted from a photo of my amps in a previous thread, it’s all old guitar combo amps but no bass amp, despite me owning an old Guild Starfire bass and playing that more than anything else in a current band (the bands I play guitar in are pretty inactive lately). I just use whatever amp is available at shows, and there is a bass amp provided for free where we rehearse, but I would like to get a smallish bass amp (I have a small car and don’t enjoy lugging). I don’t really like Fender Rumbles, or the Markbass stuff I’ve borrowed. What would you suggest? My favourite amp I’ve played through was an SVT but it was a big rig.
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13 December 2020, 08:26 AM | #23 |
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I bet that PR Reissue sounds beautiful. If you are unhappy with the tone, I have tried a couple of different speakers and can vouch for Weber Blue Pups and Celestion Golds (just require about 30 hours to break in and soften, tonally). But no doubt it is good to go as is. Or did you buy it and flip it?
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13 December 2020, 08:29 AM | #24 |
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This one has really "bright" tone. I don't play well enough to outrun even a bad amp but am picky about watches, so I guess an amp would be more safe.
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13 December 2020, 09:14 AM | #25 | |
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13 December 2020, 09:23 AM | #26 | |
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in their case, I tell them to find a used AC-15. (I realise that sounds a bit self-important. But in my small circle of indie rock musicians, not many people care or know much about amps.) |
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13 December 2020, 09:26 AM | #27 |
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From a fun and enjoyment point of view I’d buy an amp.
From your next door neighbour’s point of view I’d suggest a watch.
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13 December 2020, 09:30 AM | #28 |
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Great fun question.
My first reaction was to say amp. Watches I wear, need to feel something special to want it and keep it. With amps, I am much more open to different sounds in a collection even if I dont love it, there can be beauty in a sound that's uncomfortable. But thinking about it more, I can get a rough idea how a watch will look and wear based on pictures. With an amp we have no f'ing clue how it will sound. So with that my final answer, assuming there's no return policy and we can't just flip them for a small loss, is neither. I got enough crap and junk in my life, don't need to buy more stuff I don't really like. |
13 December 2020, 09:50 AM | #29 |
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I bought these both without hearing them, though I did listen to as many You Tube clips as I could. I found a deal on the AC15 new, then had to have the AC30 just after and found a unique buying opportunity from a seller who was looking for a local pickup only and he happened to live near my brother in DC. I negotiated pretty hard, and got a great deal on that one as well. Mint condition, hardly used, but the guy had at least 3 or 4 other high end amps (Marshall Bluesbreaker, Tone King Imperial, Swart, and others) so he didn't need or use the AC30.
They are both 60th anniversary hand wired amps made in England to the spec of the originals (1957 AC15 and 1962 AC30). Custom made silver bell Celetions in both amps. As close to vintage Vox as you can get for a modern amp. My Tweed Deluxe is made by a guy in North Carolina (I think) Michael Clark. Also handwired and speced as close to an original 5E3 as possible. Incidentally, I bought this sight unseen as well. I wanted a real Tweed, but at the time they were $4500 so I did some research and ordered a boutique clone through Michael Clark. I'd love to have a brown face Princeton or one of the reissues like the Chris Stapleton version with a 12" speaker. |
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