Second hand Albion TCT35 yay or nay?

Codex7

Hi guys!

I have a dilemma ?

OK, currently I have a VOX Pathfinder 15R, which is fine for what I am doing - I'm still a beginner at guitar in general and just noodle around playing from TAB, scales etc.

BUT I have the opportunity to pick up an Albion TCT35 for pretty cheap (R2000). The problem is, the Albion seems to be a few years old, the handle brackets (the plastic holding the handle on the sides), have basically come apart. This is probably not a major issue, as I can make a plan - it obviously does not affect the actual playability of the amp.

Secondly, and sadly, there is no footswitch ☹. I believe new, they come with a footswitch, which sounds pretty handy, as you can then easily change between the clean A channel and gritty B channel.

OK, so my dilemma:

1. I do not have a burning NEED for a tube amp, but for the price, I think it is a good investment for the future. I can probably play for the next year or 2 on my VOX, until I can actually play much better. And then get a tube amp then.
2. Is it possible to get a separate foot switch for the Albion? Or can you use one from another amp (I guess not)? Or is it possible to build one - any schematics available anywhere?

From testing it, it sounds great - to my novice ears ?

Any advice will be appreciated!

Psean

For 2K I'd take it. The footswitch shouldn't be a problem - it shouldn't be specific to the Albion. I used to use a generic Leem footswitch on my Laney. They're easy to build too.

Wormwood

Im going to echo Psean on this. for 2k youre buying a

"Handwired all tube combo.
Twin channel 1x12” Combo.
35watts RMS into 8 or 16ohm.
4x12AX7 – 2x 6L6 valves."

or if its a head you will have to spend a good 2.5 k on some speakers

either way you will look back on this fondly as the crazy experiment you did that either prayed off or didn't.
for me that's good value for 2k

ThomasN

The first half of Albion is a win with Grindrod, Im a little hesitant when hearing Wharfdale are involved though.
Ive had some iffy experience with their products in the past. However if its just the speakers thats made by them, it may be worth buying the amp and at some stage swapping it out for something a little different. I listened to the samples of both channels and its a cool sounding box ? The dirty channel has got a fab vintage rock sound.

Psean

Search Albion TCT 35 on this forum.
I seem to remember some guys have had good experience with them. Hopefully one of them will chip in soon...

Codex7

Thanks for the feedback guys!

It is the TCT35 combo version, not just the head.

Norman86

2k? grab it if its in otherwise good condition ?
what else would you like to know??

EDIT: Member of the Albion owners and appreciation club 8)

Tokai-SA

If it's in perfect working condition then R2000 is a very good deal, but it's R2000 too much if you don't need it.

It's not an investment.
Only buy what you need and will use now, not what you might need sometime in the future...don't worry, in the future it will be even cheaper. ?

IMO

Codex7

Tokai SA wrote: If it's in perfect working condition then R2000 is a very good deal, but it's R2000 too much if you don't need it.

It's not an investment.
Only buy what you need and will use now, not what you might need sometime in the future...don't worry, in the future it will be even cheaper. ?

IMO

Thanks Lance, I think that just summarized exactly how I feel about the situation! ?

If anybody in the community is interested, it's available at Cash Converters, Centurion. Was still there yesterday. If any body buys it, let us know if you are happy with it?

And enjoy! ?

Nicholas-L

why do the second shops never have such things when I go around there. :'( and why is Centurion so far from Cape Town haha.