Should I repair Eden WT550 head before selling?

[Tannerwr64]

I'm getting ready to move states, and I have an old Eden stack I don't use anymore that I would like to sell. It's an Eden WT550 head with two cabs. The issue is that the physical power switch is faulty, and actually triggers the amp to turn on about 10% of the time. Once it is on, however, it plays great, stays on, and has no issues so it's possible for me to demo it to folks and just explain the issue. Should I go through the hassle of getting the switch replaced before selling it, or just sell as-is with a fully disclosed explanation? If I do end up selling it this way, how much of a discount would you take off the original price? This is my first time selling an amp not in full working condition so I'm not sure how to go about it. Thanks in advance!

 

[agedhorse]

It depends entirely on the buyer. IF that's all that's wrong with it and the buyer is confident of this, it may not be a big deal. If the buyer is not confident that there's nothing else wrong (and I'm not sure anyone can be truly confident), you may have to discount it considerably.

If you were to fix it and find out that there is in fact more wrong with the amp, you may spend as much on the repair as the amp's worth (it depends of course). This is a big challenge buying (and selling) older gear.

 

[abarson]

It looks like a fairly standard illuminated rocker switch, and shouldn't be difficult or expensive to replace.
But the best decision is the one that lets you sleep at night.

 

[TomB]

I’d tell the prospect what you just told us. Let them decide. But yes, when I sell gear that needs repair, I discount it quite a bit since I’m passing along the risk and repair hassle as well.

 

[lomo]

It depends on how much the switch would cost you to fix. If you don't know that number, then neither can a prospective buyer.....most buyers don't like gear with "a story" unless it's dramatically discounted.

 

[agedhorse]

It also depends on knowing for sure that it's really the switch.

 

[rockdoc11]

I recently had a similar-appearing power switch go bad on a Fender Rumble 200 v.3. It was VERY easy to replace.

I'd suggest you replace that switch before selling. Personally, when I see an ad that says there is something wrong with the piece but that it can be "easily fixed," the first thought I have is: "So why didn't YOU fix it?"

It would take a very substantial discount to make me consider a purchase of an amp with the issue you describe. But if indeed the power switch is the issue and you repair it, all is well.

 

[SixtyCycleHum]

I'm getting ready to move states, and I have an old Eden stack I don't use anymore that I would like to sell. It's an Eden WT550 head with two cabs. The issue is that the physical power switch is faulty, and actually triggers the amp to turn on about 10% of the time. Once it is on, however, it plays great, stays on, and has no issues so it's possible for me to demo it to folks and just explain the issue. Should I go through the hassle of getting the switch replaced before selling it, or just sell as-is with a fully disclosed explanation? If I do end up selling it this way, how much of a discount would you take off the original price? This is my first time selling an amp not in full working condition so I'm not sure how to go about it. Thanks in advance!

Yo, it's probably worth getting it fixed beforehand. It probably won't cost that much or be too much trouble. You can give it a good clean out while you're at it. It is a nice feeling to have it ready to go and gleaming, every millimetre working beautifully. The buyer is bound to appreciate it. You set yourself a standard of integrity when flipping gear. Many good attributes to fixing it.

 

[Hawk256]

Personally, when I see an ad that says there is something wrong with the piece but that it can be "easily fixed," the first thought I have is: "So why didn't YOU fix it.

This ^^^. See it all the time with cars, appliances, etc.

 

[Thumpin6string]

I'm getting ready to move states, and I have an old Eden stack I don't use anymore that I would like to sell. It's an Eden WT550 head with two cabs. The issue is that the physical power switch is faulty, and actually triggers the amp to turn on about 10% of the time. Once it is on, however, it plays great, stays on, and has no issues so it's possible for me to demo it to folks and just explain the issue. Should I go through the hassle of getting the switch replaced before selling it, or just sell as-is with a fully disclosed explanation? If I do end up selling it this way, how much of a discount would you take off the original price? This is my first time selling an amp not in full working condition so I'm not sure how to go about it. Thanks in advance!

I'll buy it as-is if the price is right.

 

[bolophonic]

I recently had a similar-appearing power switch go bad on a Fender Rumble 200 v.3. It was VERY easy to replace.

I'd suggest you replace that switch before selling. Personally, when I see an ad that says there is something wrong with the piece but that it can be "easily fixed," the first thought I have is: "So why didn't YOU fix it?"

It would take a very substantial discount to make me consider a purchase of an amp with the issue you describe. But if indeed the power switch is the issue and you repair it, all is well.

I live out in a farming community where everyone has 100 projects laying around. Sometimes you just have to get rid of something “easily repairable” that you are just never going to get around to finishing. I have two lawnmowers and a chainsaw with fixable problems, but I am never going to have time to take them apart and rebuild them.

 

[Andy Marshman]

I have the skills to make that repair, so I'd get the correct part and change it out. If I didn't know how, I'd have a qualified person do it. Getting it fixed is the right thing to do.

 

[Zooberwerx]

A fully-functional component has more value on the market than a "project".

Riis

 

[prowla]

I recently had a similar-appearing power switch go bad on a Fender Rumble 200 v.3. It was VERY easy to replace.

I'd suggest you replace that switch before selling. Personally, when I see an ad that says there is something wrong with the piece but that it can be "easily fixed," the first thought I have is: "So why didn't YOU fix it?"

It would take a very substantial discount to make me consider a purchase of an amp with the issue you describe. But if indeed the power switch is the issue and you repair it, all is well.

I'm in the "why didn't you fix it then?"
Otherwise the item is spares/repairs and the buyer is taking a risk that it's not just the switch and/or they may need to pay to have it fixed.

 

[BaileyMan]

You may come away with same amount of cash in your pocket either way. My experience has been that it's easier to sell if the thing has been repaired. Even at a discount, it can be harder to sell something that needs fixing, unless you really really discount the price.

 

[tbz]

I personally would never buy another malfunctioning solid state amp ever again.

Bought a wt-800 here several years ago. Advertised as good condition.

Had issues fairly early on. Seller refunded me part of the money to get it fixed. Despite 2 trips to a “Eden certified” repair shop it was never properly fixed.

Last time I took it in they bypassed a major component to get the thing to power on.

As others have said this should be an easy repair. But I’d personally avoid spending money on it in this condition. Older amps can be a money pit.

 

[morrisonhendrix]

I have a WT550 also. Haven't played it in years, and it works with loud pops. The inputs probably got oxidized. I took it to a local reputable repair guy l. He couldn't find anything wrong with it. I need to sell it, but most likely will have to have give it away.

 

[Axtman]

I checked out a few pictures online and it looks like a fairly straight forward switch replacement. I would have it repaired. Hopefully it is only that simple fix.

 

[tubatodd]

I'm getting ready to move states, and I have an old Eden stack I don't use anymore that I would like to sell. It's an Eden WT550 head with two cabs. The issue is that the physical power switch is faulty, and actually triggers the amp to turn on about 10% of the time. Once it is on, however, it plays great, stays on, and has no issues so it's possible for me to demo it to folks and just explain the issue. Should I go through the hassle of getting the switch replaced before selling it, or just sell as-is with a fully disclosed explanation? If I do end up selling it this way, how much of a discount would you take off the original price? This is my first time selling an amp not in full working condition so I'm not sure how to go about it. Thanks in advance!

I always trust when @agedhorse says "let a professional technician look at it." But let me ask this of the OP and @agedhorse, if the part is readily available and literally a plugin replacement, would there be any harm in swapping it out yourself? Assuming the switch below is the correct one, would swapping it out to see if you have a bigger problem be a bad course of action?

Is this the same switch?
Invalid Link Removed

 

[MrLenny1]

Gonna be a hard sell. That. Is a great amp. I would fix it and get a decent price for it. If it is just the switch it is an easy fix and a $10.00 part from DigiKey.