Found a used Trace Elliot V6!!!

I know I'm taking quite a risk, but I just purchased this:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/In-Store-Used-USED-TRACE-ELLIOT-VR-V-TYPE-HEAD-109033947-i3202580.gc
I hope it is all there and functioning!
I guess I'm counting on the GC 30 day returns policy.
Wish me luck, TB. I've been hunting for one of these for a LONG, LONG time. : )
Now I'm just waiting for someone in New Jersey to tell me they saw it in the store and it's completely trashed

 

Any advice on what I should look out for with this once it arrives?
Honestly, this is my first all-tube bass head other than an old 70's b-15. More glass than I'm used to.
Any and all advice is appreciated.
thanks,
Greg

 

Should be here by the end of the week. I think its an early one with a silver badge...

 

Too good to be true? Maybe.
So the amp arrived today. This one has definitely been used but it looked like it was shipped pretty well. Early serial number in the 100s and silver badge. Slight rust on the chrome vents and the handle is worn but functional. Someone gigged this one regularly to be sure. Fired it up. Sounded pretty darn good even with the squire jazz bass that was close at hand. I was able to get a little overdrive with the gain at 2 O'clock and a low master. Rolled back the gain and raised the master to about 10 O'clock and REALLY liked the clean tone. "Chocolate" and "Wool" are the words that come to mind...I ran it through one of the new Fender super bassman 6x10 cabs which seemed like a good match.
And then, I started hearing popping noises coming out of the speakers. Oh cruel fate! One or two at first and after about 10 more minutes of what I imagine to be medium volume it started making rapid popping noises like a Cd skipping. Loud as heck, too so I jumped for the standby switch.
Tubes were definitely glowing a dark orange color but it wasn't dark enough to see if the plates were glowing red. I thought that the amp was running hot though I didn't take the rear panel off to look at the transformer.
There's a reputable repair shop that services all the local Guitar Centers in Chicago and I'm sending it into them. Not my first choice perhaps but the GC employee helping me out indicated that GC might pick up the repair bill. I want to believe that, I do, but I'll believe it when I see it. Hopefully it will make it to the bench/amp tech soon, as I only have 30 days to return it if it is a major repair.
<sigh>

 

OH, and HOW much do these things weigh? I nearly slipped a disc carrying this amp to the service counter in the store.

 

OK. Amp has been repaired and is on it's way back to me. I'm getting excited again. Apparently, the problem was with some loose solder joints on the pc board. The tech says it checks out great. I'll post again when I have it back- maybe I'll even use it on my gig Weds.

 

And....
Fired it up after repair at the local GC. Sounded great. Really great.
And after about ten minutes the same thing. The sound of a Cd player skipping AMPLIFIED BY 400 ALL-TUBE WATTS. Heartbreaking.
At least the tech was there so I could show them what was wrong. They have it back for repairs again.

 

So after two repair attempts, new power tubes and a new output transformer my V6 is back in action and has seen 2 gigs.
I have to pay my regards to Guitar Center for standing by their sales and return policy. GC took the hit for the entire repair bill, even though this originated from a store in New Jersey. 3rd Coast Audio did the repair work and I have to commend Hayden for his patience not only in the repair but in dealing with my phone calls. He also rigged a speak-on jack for one of the speaker outs, replacing the old Trace Elliot style XLR speaker jack.
Hard to say if the power tubes (new JJ KT88s) are even broken in yet. Haven't needed to turn it up past 3 at either gig. Running it through 1 Epifani UL310 cab so far and liking the results. I have another cab to add for the next gig outdoors or on a really big stage.
I've posted pics in the Trace Elliot V6 club.

 

So after two repair attempts, new power tubes and a new output transformer my V6 is back in action and has seen 2 gigs.
I have to pay my regards to Guitar Center for standing by their sales and return policy. GC took the hit for the entire repair bill, even though this originated from a store in New Jersey. 3rd Coast Audio did the repair work and I have to commend Hayden for his patience not only in the repair but in dealing with my phone calls. He also rigged a speak-on jack for one of the speaker outs, replacing the old Trace Elliot style XLR speaker jack.
Hard to say if the power tubes (new JJ KT88s) are even broken in yet. Haven't needed to turn it up past 3 at either gig. Running it through 1 Epifani UL310 cab so far and liking the results. I have another cab to add for the next gig outdoors or on a really big stage.
I've posted pics in the Trace Elliot V6 club.

 

Initially, the repair tech was going to have someone custom wind a new transformer at a cost of nearly $500. I remembered that British Audio Service was a Trace Repair facility and sure enough they had the transformer listed on their website for 175. FYI anyone looking for parts for these should look there first.