Is this a good deal on an Ibanez TSA15H?

doc-phil

I've been looking around without much intent for my first tube amp. I have the opportunity to get an Ibanez TSA15H + TSA112C cab for R1,800.00. Seems like a steal to me as the cheapest I've seen second hand on Gumtree/OLX is R3,500.00 for both.

I haven't had a chance to give it a test run, but what is the worst that can happen if I buy blind? It doesn't look too beaten up, and the only reason it shows its age I think is because of the white finish. Other than a few marks and minor bumps and scrapes, it looks to be in good condition.

Should my biggest concern be the valves? If they do need replacing, what would I be in for? I guess the question is how long have the valves been in there, as even if the amp has been looked after, they may require replacement just because of general wear and tear.

I'm just a lowly solid state guy looking for a few pointers from the valve dudes on the forum. By all accounts, it looks like a decent first tube amp in the 5W/15W range.

giggsy

Great price - 50% off what you can get them new for. I stand corrected, but I don't think valves cost much at all

Keira-WitherKay

excellent price and by no means a bad amp ....in any way

Gearhead

Quite difficult to wear down valves in a TSA, should take a decade of pushing hard to do that. Chances are that the toobs in there are fine unless the seller rolled them for his old gunk (maybe what I would do for that price eh).

VellaJ

I'd go for it if I were you. I think my TSA was worth every penny of the R3,5k I paid for it last year. I'm fairly certain that, even if tubes have gone (which, as GH said, is unlikely) you'll be able to replace them without hitting the "normal" price...

doc-phil

Thanks for the feedback. I think I will go for it. I see on Sound Select it's going for R4,750 new for amp and cab. So yeah, at 40% of the new price not much to lose on this one (except maybe my neighbours' patience when cranking it).

doc-phil

I'm so bleak ☹ some son of a gun beat me to it, the amp was sold yesterday.

There's no such thing as a cooling off period when it comes to good deals at a pawn shop!

AlanRatcliffe

Pity...

...but at that price, not surprising. If I saw a TSA at that price, I'd jump on it. No I don't need it, but at that price...

warrenpridgeon

doc-phil wrote: I'm so bleak ☹ some son of a gun beat me to it, the amp was sold yesterday.

There's no such thing as a cooling off period when it comes to good deals at a pawn shop!

Man that sucks! I know how you feel... Was gonna buy a takamine acoustic from a dude after work...I arranged a time and everything... Then like an hour later he messages me "someone came now and bought the guitar". Punk...

doc-phil

On the bright side it gives me more wiggle room for the inevitable GAS attack that is going to hit me at the TOMS annual sale.

Shibbibilybob

doc-phil wrote: On the bright side it gives me more wiggle room for the inevitable GAS attack that is going to hit me at the TOMS annual sale.

That is only happening again in 11 months?

doc-phil

The TOMS Durban/Coastal Music one is starting on Friday, not sure about elsewhere.