Should I or Shouldn't I...

Mannemarak

...fix my old Supro amp.

You see, I got this amp from someone not too long ago and it has no sentimental value to me at all, and last night it got me thinking if it will be worth it to fix or sell/swop to someone that might want to.
Anyway, the way I see it is that since the speaker is damaged (paper cone is torn, size of a R5 coin) and the components like the caps and resistors may have to be replaced due to age and the wiring seems shoddy and some of those big resistors was chewed on by some rat or mouse(can see the teeth marks) and the then most of the amp will be replaced by new parts...won't it be a new amp then just in a very old cab??
I would like to learn about valve amps etc. but since I know my attention span I probably won't, so I am wondering what to do.

The only thing making me keep this amp at the moment is the fact that it was built roughly in 1949, so the age is what is important, but if all the parts gets replaced by new ones then that is null and void, and since it might cost a lot to fix I might as well get a new amp since I want to use the amp and not just have it as a museum piece.

Any advice???

Attila

This a difficult dilemma to deal with ... one that I have and have had several times before.

The question to answer for yourself is does this tube amp fit your needs in its current state, if no (which seem to be obvious) then does it have the right titbits, ala - chassis, transformers, sockets, reverb tank, etc to use as a donor to make it into something that you want.

Pop down to Benji in your neighbourhood, and ask him for a technical opinion.

peace

Attila

aja

I would buy it from you! I like these old amps. A lot ?

I think it deserves a proper restoration. Either get it done or sell it to someone who will.

I cant stomach the thought of it being used for spares ? ☹ :'(

Attila

or sell it to Aja ?

Mannemarak

Aja will get first option since he did message me....I am just struggling inside regarding this since I want a tube amp. but Aja, won't this be a new amp in and old box if it gets restored??? :-[

AlanRatcliffe

If they are still working, amps of that age are mostly new parts. Same is true for many old instruments like violins (hell - the same is true for humans). No biggie IMO.

Bob-Dubery

Mannemarak wrote Aja will get first option since he did message me....I am just struggling inside regarding this since I want a tube amp. but Aja, won't this be a new amp in and old box if it gets restored??? :-[

Ummm.... how much 100% original stuff do you think is left? Many old Martins and Gibsons have had a refret (probably a neck reset too on the Martins). Valves in a valve amp do not last forever and will get changed. Fuses pop. Joints fail. Things corrode. Pots get full of grime etc etc. All Stradivarius violins that are actually played have been modified. Richard Thompson's famous (well... in some circles) '59 Strat is on at least it's third neck and second bridge.

If you want it as a collector's piece then restoration may destroy any residual value (sounds like not much) but if you restore it so it's as close to the original as possible in terms of spec you may have something pretty useful. Jimmy Page used a Supro amp on lots of Led Zeppelin recordings.

singemonkey

Totally normal to replace parts. As long as they're spec'd to the same values and stuff the character of the amp and loudspeaker are unlikely to change. If the original transformers are still good, that's a bonus.

Just decide if you're keen enough or you could flog it and buy a lovely small modern tube amp with the money. If you have a sentimental attachment, arrange someone to do it for you if you're not mad about figuring out the whole process yourself. If not, I'd suggest flogging it to an enthusiast and buying a neat modern thing without issues.

vic

Mannemarak wrote Aja will get first option since he did message me....I am just struggling inside regarding this since I want a tube amp. but Aja, won't this be a new amp in and old box if it gets restored??? :-[

here is the answer :?

=

Attila

in a nutshell hey Vic ....love it