Selling amps question

[Blooze]

Not sure if this is the appropriate place to post for advice or not?

I have a couple of the DIY guitar amps y’all helped me with here, one a decent head unit in a cab, that I’m going to be needing to sell due to downsizing and for mental reasons. I’m keeping one commercial tube amp and a 1x10 cab along with a few guitars as I’ll be looking at not having a dedicated room anymore. I have enough assets as I approach retirement that I don’t want to endanger them from any liability issues by selling an amp someone may hurt themselves poking around in or such, so wanted to pose the question from that legal point of view.

I’m thinking my best bet would be to remove the custom turret board and sell populated, if it will at all. Then sell the transformers seperately and finally the cab and chassis together as a pair. Tubes seperately as well.

I’m not expecting to make any money (quite the opposite) and I’m not attached to them at all. They sound nice and it was an exercise to see if I could build them from scratch. I’d just hate to throw the things in a dumpster.

[Platefire]

I think your over thinking the simple task of selling an amp. If it would make you feel better, just make a statement(verbal or written) that it is a project amp and you will not be responsible for the mishandling or electrical shock from the tube amp with high DC voltage. Look on ebay. They just basically say, here it is, buy it!

[jbrrrrr]

Describe the amp in the listing, and the components used - any "mojo" parts, what make of trafos, etc.  Document the way it currently performs, if there are any issues, etc.  Put up a price that you'd be happy with for someone to take the whole thing off your hands - and just mention in the listing that you're willing to part it out as well.

That way, you don't have to disassemble something unnecessarily, and you might be able to let everything go without much work on your end.  Alternately, if it comes down to parts, after disassembly, you can probably get more money than you imagined selling it as a complete unit.

[Blooze]

I think you’re over thinking the simple task of selling an amp.

I appreciate the advice. I really do.

That’s part of the mental issue. I have pretty bad harm/responsibilty OCD among other types(diagnosed) that even with therapy will never go away, only be managed. It’s one of the reasons I’ve stopped messing with tube gear. Over that last couple years it’s become so bad that I get scared of even using my own gear I’ve built or done any work on even though I’ve done all the things to make them as well built and safe as possible. My mind just continually comes up with another what-if scenario. At this point I need to eliminate some of the triggers and the fact I need to downsize is as good of reason as any to accomplish that. The fact that the US is so litigious does not help my confidence. Those statements mean nothing legally unfortunately.

[Blooze]

Describe the amp in the listing, and the components used - any "mojo" parts, what make of trafos, etc.  Document the way it currently performs, if there are any issues, etc.  Put up a price that you'd be happy with for someone to take the whole thing off your hands - and just mention in the listing that you're willing to part it out as well.

That way, you don't have to disassemble something unnecessarily, and you might be able to let everything go without much work on your end.  Alternately, if it comes down to parts, after disassembly, you can probably get more money than you imagined selling it as a complete unit.

Thanks. I’m just starting to figure out what to do. I’m not worried about losing any money on it really. Getting a little back would be great though.

[dogburn]

Last year, there was a discussion of liability when selling a homemade amp: https://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=32860.msg364863#msg364863 - however, there was not really any consensus on how to deal with it.

An alternative would be to sell it here through the Hoffman web site - either whole as a "project" or as parts (you could remove the power transformer and sell it and the rest of the amp as separate items, since that is the one part that would lead to people getting shocked). If you describe the amp and its elements, it's possible you'll find someone here interested in taking it off your hands.

[Blooze]

Last year, there was a discussion of liability when selling a homemade amp: https://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=32860.msg364863#msg364863 - however, there was not really any consensus on how to deal with it.

An alternative would be to sell it here through the Hoffman web site - either whole as a "project" or as parts (you could remove the power transformer and sell it and the rest of the amp as separate items, since that is the one part that would lead to people getting shocked). If you describe the amp and its elements, it's possible you'll find someone here interested in taking it off your hands.

I've read several threads such as that one over a handful of forums and they are all the same. A few are willing to risk it, but more are not.

 I relied on advice pretty much solely on this forum, so both the amps in question are on here. I may consider just doing as you said and removing the power transformer and selling it separate.

[bmccowan]

You could just sell them as "Hoffman" amps. Just kidding - sorry Doug.
I was part of that discussion last year. Since that time I have talked more with my liability lawyer relative - a few points.
 - Those warning statements do mean something. But they offer only limited protection. Almost all liability cases are settled. You are in a stronger position if you have provided strong warnings including danger of death. Ever been whitewater rafting? The disclaimer will state that rafting is inherently dangerous and may cause injury or death.
 - Warning that what they are buying is dangerous helps protect you. Claiming the object is safe is just the opposite.
 - Use a template to write the disclaimer - or use a lawyer.
 - Provide links to tube electronics safety info.
 - Try to buy a hobbyist/small business liability policy.
 - Put a danger sticker on the access cover - "If you remove this cover a spark will jump out and kill you." or maybe something less dramatic.
 - As mentioned, sell as a project.
 - Also mentioned, remove the PT and sell as a parts project.
If you are an optimist, 99% chance you will not be sued. If you are a pessimist there is a 1% chance you will be sued.