Should I? (SVT Content)

[Alex1984]

There's a local guy selling an SVT 2 Pro that is in need of repairs (according to him, it only needs a gain pot). He's selling it for around $550. Think I should go for it and hope for the best? Or play it safe?

[mkrtu9]

granted I don't know what an SVT 2 pro is worth but I always play things safe when it comes to equipment and cash. Maybe he will let you have someone look at it before you buy.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

I'd see if you can talk him down.

Things are often damaged through abuse, abuse could mean any other number of problems are just waiting to happen.

[Webtroll]

I hate the idea of buying broken something used that I can't fix it myself. Bass with no output? If the price is right, sure. SVT-II with a bad pot? If you try it out and the pot is just scratchy sure, but if there is no output then you have no guarantee that all it needs is a new pot, and that $550 could turn into $650 or more pretty easily. On the other hand that's a pretty sweet amp for a good price. Flip a coin?

[Alex1984]

I think as long as repair costs are lower than $350, I'd do it. In your experiences, has any repairs that you've seen cost more than that?

[waleross]

If this was a $500 used car you would get your mechanic to look at it, this is the same thing. +1 on getting a tech person to see it if possible. Good luck

[Alex1984]

The seller just messaged me back, he say's it's still working, just that the knob on the pot broke off somehow.

[DanRJBrasil]

is a good deal only if a tech can take a look before you buy it, otherwise is russian roulet

[stingray56funk]

Buy it!!!

[Alex1984]

Originally Posted by stingray56funk

Buy it!!!

LOL, most straight-forward answer so far!

So, he sent me a picture, missing 4 knob caps and the stem on the gain knob is gone too, it looks to be one of the newer models with a black/white faceplate. Bottom of the faceplate seems to be bent.

[hennessybass]

I would just kind of assume that any tube head you buy will need to be gone over by a tech. This one sounds like it's been well used, so plan on spending more than you think.

Talk the guy down a bit, and put a couple hundred into it and it's a great deal.

[Sartori]

I agree, if it still can be played through, the issues probably aren't that major.

Still, talk him down.

[Alex1984]

Well, yeah, he said it can still be played through. I'd feel bad talking him down since he said the money's going to be for school.

Can anyone teach me how to show pics in my messages?

[Gearhead17]

Bottom of the face plate is bent? It sounds like it fell off the cabs right on to the floor breaking 4 knobs and damaging the gain pot. I wonder how the tubes are?

It's $1900 brand new at Musiciansfriend.com. If the tubes need replacing, (power, driver, pre-amp) all of them would be around $300. The gain pot fixed/replaced would be $60 approx. You could do the tubes yourself and have the gain pot taken care of by a tech.

Even with repairs, it sounds like a pretty good deal and still less than the average used price. Then again, it could be a big pain in the butt to wait and spend all of that money trying to get it up to par. It up to you

[Sartori]

Originally Posted by Alex1984

Well, yeah, he said it can still be played through. I'd feel bad talking him down since he said the money's going to be for school.

Can anyone teach me how to show pics in my messages?

Upload them to an image hosting site like imageshack or photobucket.

Then paste the URL in between [img]url goes here[/img] tags. Or link to the photo.

Do not link to the guy selling it. Because one of the opportunists here will buy it out from under you.

[Alex1984]

Yay! My first picture!

[JimmyM]

i'd do it if it sounds good. going rate for one is about $800-900, so if it costs $300 in repairs, you're still doing well. and seriously, if it works otherwise, i would seriously doubt it would be anywhere near that.