Selling an amp with issues

[pfschim]

I'm posing a legitimate question, hopefully it's kosher for the thread. If not, I'm sure the mods will let me know.

I have an SVT 6Pro that I have not used in several years. I'd like to sell it but it sounds like it has an operating issue. Seeking input from the collective TB experience.

Amp powers on, sounds a bit noisy but nothing too crazy, seems to be kind of distorted at the input stage. Engaging the input pad reduces/nearly eliminates the distortion, but of course this would be a defect for real use. It could be something simple, or it could be something significant, I have no idea and I'm not particularly handy with electronics.

I'd really just like to get rid of this amp. I don't use it for anything and I'm going through a gear clear out process. I'd like to get something for it of course, but I would not try to hide its current condition.

What would be the best way to sell this amp ? as a fix-it project ? ... so, list it as semi-working or something like that ?

what say you TB

 

[byacey]

First of all, what sort of bass are you using, active or passive?

 

[agedhorse]

Try jumping the effects loop first.

 

[pfschim]

First of all, what sort of bass are you using, active or passive?

passive Fender Roscoe Beck IV

 

[pfschim]

Try jumping the effects loop first.

Thanks! I did use a 1/4" plug to "clean out" the FX loop in/out jacks but I did not jump it. I'll give that a try.

 

[ViperTim]

Open it up and take a look inside.
You can’t break what’s already broken.
My first amp is this Ashdown ABM500 that I bought broken for equivalent of $10 and this was the issue:

open it up, look inside for obvious things. If it has connectors clean those up etc.
What’s the worst that’s gonna happen? That it breaks even more?

 

[Jazzjames]

Open it up and take a look inside.
You can’t break what’s already broken.
My first amp is this Ashdown ABM500 that I bought broken for equivalent of $10 and this was the issue:
View attachment 5350529


open it up, look inside for obvious things. If it has connectors clean those up etc.
What’s the worst that’s gonna happen? That it breaks even more?

What’s the worst that could happen? You could get electrocuted….

 

[ViperTim]

What’s the worst that could happen? You could get electrocuted….

Unplugging it first goes without saying, I was expecting it to be obvious. But you apperently proved me wrong.

 

[Lowbrow]

This may not end well.

 

[DeepHz]

I would bring it to a qualified amp tech to give it a look/tuneup. I don't like selling things with operating issues.

 

[hrodbert696]

I'm not very technical and wouldn't know how to go about fixing something. So if it were me, one possibility would be to take it to someone who knew what they were doing to fix it before selling. The other option would be to go ahead and sell, but with truth in advertising and an appropriately discounted price - just include in the sale listing what you told us.

 

[-Stingray]

Step 1 is to bring it to a tech. Let him troubleshoot it, then decide if it is worth sinking money into (or fixing yourself).

Other option would be to sell it as is, but you'll take a big hit on it, and you'll have to be 100% transparent about the amps condition.

 

[Slevage]

Unplugging it first goes without saying, I was expecting it to be obvious. But you apperently proved me wrong.

Unplugging the amp is not enough from a safety standpoint. Even waiting for capacitors doesn’t guarantee safety.
The caps must be discharged and verified.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Either get it checked by a tech, or list with full disclosure.

 

[ViperTim]

Unplugging the amp is not enough from a safety standpoint. Even waiting for capacitors doesn’t guarantee safety.
The caps must be discharged and verified.

Nothing in life is a safety guarantee.
But ok, seems like people on here are extremely against even fiddling around so I'll just leave it here and practice bass instead.

 

[smoothbrain]

What’s the worst that could happen? You could get electrocuted….

Plus you could take the cat out with you.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Plus you could take the cat out with you.

Knowing my luck, I'd end up in the marble orchard while the cat survives with a few singed whiskers.

Riis

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Get it repaired by a tech, you'll get significantly more money for an actual working amp.
If you fully disclose the issue, expect at least a couple $100 off your asking price.
Good luck.

 

[Thumpin6string]

Try jumping the effects loop first.

This would be the first thing I'd do also. Straight from the horse's mouth.

 

[chandman1004]

I have the same amp with a similar issue and have been thinking of asking the same question. I don't need the amp, way overkill, but i don't want to sell it to someone because of the issue. I have put too much money in it and I don't feel that It can be relied on for a gig. There is no way I could sell it without talking a big loss.