What to do when you find a Dinosaur?

[yeasty]

Looking at Reverb sold listings, they’ve moved from $800 to just under $4000, so it’s just a matter of patience and if it’s worth putting in the money to restore it, whatever that would come to, against potential gain.

The reality is that OP has a niche product that has $1800 worth of tubes in its belly. Setting up a 400PS is also a bit of a black art; add more $$ for a competent tech who can ensure that you're not going to imediately smoke these vintage tubes in an attempt to turn a "divine gift" into cash. All assuming that there's nothing wrong with the unit in the first place that brought it to the eWaste pile.

I'd look at two extreme scenarios.
(1). You invest time, energy, and significant $$ into getting the amp professionally checked and tuned up, then try to sell a specialized product as a seller with zero history. Investment = big, return = questionable, if any. You have a downside risk of losing money as a bench charge+parts if it's not fixable.

(2). You take no action and sell "as is" without putting a dime into it. When selling, be honest with what you know, how you found it, and emphasize that it's a big question mark for the next owner. Investment = zero, return = all profit. While your upside will not be as large as the best-case if you'd refurbished a unit that needed nothing but a cleaning, there is no down-side.

There ain't no such thing as a free lunch. Even #2 requires that you photograph, list, and then pack and ship a beastly, fragile amp.

Consider what happens when "providence" meets greed.

 

[moon-bass]

The reality is that OP has a niche product that has $1800 worth of tubes in its belly. Setting up a 400PS is also a bit of a black art; add more $$ for a competent tech who can ensure that you're not going to imediately smoke these vintage tubes in an attempt to turn a "divine gift" into cash. All assuming that there's nothing wrong with the unit in the first place that brought it to the eWaste pile.

I'd look at two extreme scenarios.
(1). You invest time, energy, and significant $$ into getting the amp professionally checked and tuned up, then try to sell a specialized product as a seller with zero history. Investment = big, return = questionable, if any. You have a downside risk of losing money as a bench charge+parts if it's not fixable.

(2). You take no action and sell "as is" without putting a dime into it. When selling, be honest with what you know, how you found it, and emphasize that it's a big question mark for the next owner. Investment = zero, return = all profit. While your upside will not be as large as the best-case if you'd refurbished a unit that needed nothing but a cleaning, there is no down-side.

There ain't no such thing as a free lunch. Even #2 requires that you photograph, list, and then pack and ship a beastly, fragile amp.

Consider what happens when "providence" meets greed.

I think this is good advice. Maybe try for a local sale first, depending where you are at, but I see these as the two best options.

Oh, and I've been looking for one of these, so whatever you decide to do, hit me up and maybe we can make a deal.

 

[FugaziBomb]

It looks like about 15 that were listed as sold, then there were parts and one of those wonky cabinets.

Well, I guess if he can move it, more power to him. My prediction is that it's gonna end up back in that junk pile after the OP sits on it for a year. I also take umbrage with the "fast cash" attitude OP has about it, but I'm not very tolerant towards greedy motives.

 

[moon-bass]

Very nice Fender 400 PS Amp rescued from pile of e-waste. I honestly didn't know what it was. Didn't take long to figure out that it was a gift from Providence. Now I need advice from experienced people

Where are you located? I've been passively looking for one of these and I might be interested...

 

[KevInDaBassment]

If it were a 70's SVT, Fender Bassman, or maybe a Sunn or Acoustic I could see it being lucrative to the right buyer. Without any particularly famous "character" to the amp, you may be better off taking it back to the eWaste place or donating it to an Electrical Engineer.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

Leave it!! That has been my experience in the past!

 

[Michedelic]

The reality is that OP has a niche product that has $1800 worth of tubes in its belly. Setting up a 400PS is also a bit of a black art; add more $$ for a competent tech who can ensure that you're not going to imediately smoke these vintage tubes in an attempt to turn a "divine gift" into cash. All assuming that there's nothing wrong with the unit in the first place that brought it to the eWaste pile.

I'd look at two extreme scenarios.
(1). You invest time, energy, and significant $$ into getting the amp professionally checked and tuned up, then try to sell a specialized product as a seller with zero history. Investment = big, return = questionable, if any. You have a downside risk of losing money as a bench charge+parts if it's not fixable.

(2). You take no action and sell "as is" without putting a dime into it. When selling, be honest with what you know, how you found it, and emphasize that it's a big question mark for the next owner. Investment = zero, return = all profit. While your upside will not be as large as the best-case if you'd refurbished a unit that needed nothing but a cleaning, there is no down-side.

There ain't no such thing as a free lunch. Even #2 requires that you photograph, list, and then pack and ship a beastly, fragile amp.

Consider what happens when "providence" meets greed.

Or, related to #2, he could, if knowledgeable about it, and more important, motivated to make a buck and patient, part it out. But I don’t sense that going on.

 

[Wood and Wire]

The reality is that OP has a niche product that has $1800 worth of tubes in its belly.

Then just sell the tubes.

Vastly more potentially interested parties, and much easier, and cheaper to post.

 

[pbassnut]

It's a fairly rare amp amp with a reputation for being hard on tubes and a challenge to work on. It sort of has three output sections, so it has to be connected to three cabs for full power....not very practical. The outputs are switched on when you insert a plug from a speaker cable. Schematic says each output is 4 ohms and rated for 145W.

In addition ...

<<
There is more to how the 400-PS operates than meets the eye. Not to mention, enough electrical potential to take the spark of life right out of you if you were the least bit careless.
>>

... they're very dangerous to work on.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

It would be a man cave dream amp of one had the prerequisite amp stand and the three reflex cabinets designed with/for it.
I'd need a moving crew to bring it all up the stairs.
On second thought, skip it. It would need to be near my drummer in the practice space .If I had this rig I'd never want to move it again .

 

[yeasty]

Then just sell the tubes.

Vastly more potentially interested parties, and much easier, and cheaper to post.

Certainly a good option -- if the OP is willing to get the tubes tested and hopefully be honest that the usage history is unknown. Used tube value is also nowhere near price to acquire new-old-stock.

While it's possible that dear-Uncle-Charlie's estate unwittingly tossed a closet-queen PS400 into the eWaste bin, there are a lot of other potential life stories for this beast.

I was excited the first time I found pyrite in a stream bed as a kid. Beavis and Butthead thought they'd struck oil only to have hit a sewer line. OP joined the site to figure out how to quickly turn a profit from a piece of eWaste.

My TL;DR --"be honest with a potential buyer; you're not sitting on a gold mine; always lift with your legs, not your back"

 

[40Hz]

I take a somewhat jaundiced view whenever someone just joined TB and almost immediately starts picking member’s brains for a gear valuation with the intent of selling the thing. This ain’t Pawn Stars. But maybe that’s just me.

Valuation requests are also something you’re required to be a supporting TB member to do per the forum rules since it’s effectively a sales ad as evidenced by the interest already shown by a few TB members.

 

[JeroB666]

I take a somewhat jaundiced view whenever someone just joined TB and almost immediately starts picking member’s brains for a gear valuation with the intent of selling the thing. This ain’t Pawn Stars. But maybe that’s just me.

Valuation requests are also something you’re required to be a supporting TB member to do per the forum rules since it’s effectively a sales ad as evidenced by the interest already shown by a few TB members.

I feel you, the whole joining a forum to get info in order to get "fast cash" rubs me the wrong way.

With these old amps I find its best to try fix them and use them or fix them and donate them to local clubs where they might not have access to bigger amps.

 

[Wasnex]

Since you are only interested in quick cash, sell for what ever you can get at the first place that will take it. Don't expect much if it's non-op.

 

[singlemalt]

I bought a 1972 Sound City Bass 150 for $35. Supposed to be non working, but I figure I know Passinwind, and he can fix anything.

Not having any knowledge of tube amps, common sense, or fear, I took it home, plugged it in, and started wiggling stuff around. It began to glow and smelled like a toaster heating up. Sweet! It works!

Then I was electrocuted.

But I got better!

$15 switch replacement, and I used it for years .

Sold it for $650 and I was happy to see it go. Schlepping an 80 pound head and 125 pound cab sucked.

Bought a GK 1001 rb2 and never looked back. 4 times the power and 1/4 the weight.

I love the treasure hunter aspect of trash piles and dumpsters. Ya never know.

On the other hand, I have a buddy who got into the storage unit auction game. He thought a well organized unit full of stacked rubber made tubs looked promising. $1500 and he’s the winner!

Turned out to be a rock hound’s hoard. Boxes of rocks. Tons of rocks. And you have to clear out the unit when you buy it. Ouch.

 

[Wesley R]

That's too bad.

What you can get and how fast it will sell is likely to depend on the condition, the asking price, and if a collector is currently looking for one. It's a cool amp, but not particularly coveted or practical. They don't pop up for sale very often and the sale price is all over the place. Reverb shows legacy ads for $1400, $2400, and $3325, plus shipping. All three of these amps were cosmetically very nice and described as fully functional and recently serviced.

If the amp is non-op, it won't be worth much as is could be very expensive to repair. Also keep in mind it's heavy so shipping will be fairly expensive. Lot's of uncertainty about how much the total sunk cost will be, so finding a buyer could take awhile.

Exactly

 

[Wesley R]

Not to insult the OP, if you decide to test it yourself, please be aware it needs a speaker connected. If not the magic smoke will leave the amp and the value can become zero or less. The inerds of that beast can very easily damage your body, including death.

 

[Wood and Wire]

On the other hand, I have a buddy who got into the storage unit auction game. He thought a well organized unit full of stacked rubber made tubs looked promising. $1500 and he’s the winner!

Turned out to be a rock hound’s hoard. Boxes of rocks. Tons of rocks. And you have to clear out the unit when you buy it. Ouch.

Was the next storage unit over, full of googly eyes?

Problem solved!

 

[Jaxgits]

Oh no I don't want to keep it, I want to sell it right away. I already know all the info on it I just need to know fastest way to convert it into money. I found this site while doing research and I need to know if I upgrade membership how long it might take to sell and how much it might be worth.

That's too bad.

What you can get and how fast it will sell is likely to depend on the condition, the asking price, and if a collector is currently looking for one. It's a cool amp, but not particularly coveted or practical. They don't pop up for sale very often and the sale price is all over the place. Reverb shows legacy ads for $1400, $2400, and $3325, plus shipping. All three of these amps were cosmetically very nice and described as fully functional and recently serviced.

If the amp is non-op, it won't be worth much as is could be very expensive to repair. Also keep in mind it's heavy so shipping will be fairly expensive. Lot's of uncertainty about how much the total sunk cost will be, so finding a buyer could take awhile.

Thanks very much for the info. Amp is incredibly good condition, had been stored for a long time judging by the dust. Possibly used by a DJ/musician judging by the other items found at the same time. Perhaps to power mains.
Any idea on the cost of service?

 

[Jaxgits]

Was the next storage unit over, full of googly eyes?

Problem solved!

Actually worse than that! Retrieved from e-waste recycling place I do business with. A LOT of equipment there covered with dust, Behringer 32ch Eurodesk, Roland MT-32, Behringer DJ mixer 700 series, Old Audio source EQ, BGW 150W 4Ohm amp, Roland GR 33 other oddities.
I suspect it was a DJ, maybe using the beast to power Mains. Possibly thrown out by ex-wife or widow
I live in California and I am dieing here in San Diego (most expensive city in the U.S. they say).
I desperately need to sell this thing it is the only item there with much value.
I have cleaned it up. I am a musician and technician/stagehand (so I didn't use a garden hose)
All tubes are lighting up
Any idea of the value, it is not tested. I suspect it works all the other items do that have power supplies
thanks for reply . . . TIME is of the essense