musings

[John]

I like to browse ebay to get ideas of what amp projects normally go for, etc. But here's some things I wonder...

What makes "vintage" Mullards worth $150 for a pair of EL84?

Why would I pay $10 each for 40 year old .022 caps? Why would anyone?

What makes a McIntosh worth 4 grand? Simple collector value? (I don't collect anything... well, except stuff from Doug)

Why would anyone pay good money for "vintage" carbon comp resistors, made in the 60s? Do they really believe the label MojoInside?

Anyway, just some chuckles I was having, and certainly if anyone here is selling that stuff I hope you get your money for it!  And actually, I do "get it" about the collectible value of things; I remember the Beanie Baby craze, the Cabbage Patch craze... where otherwise normal people got into fights over 'em.

One last thing I wonder; will I ever be smart enough to actually use that Heathkit circuit tracer that just arrived today? .... and I hope I never have to find out, actually!

[Ritchie200]

where otherwise normal people got into fights over 'em.

One last thing I wonder; will I ever be smart enough to actually use that Heathkit circuit tracer that just arrived today? .... and I hope I never have to find out, actually!

So YOU were the guy I was bidding against!  If I EVER find out where you live, we are going to RUMBLE!!!

I always laugh at the mojo-folks too - and this coming from a guy who spent a lot of money on his last vintage amp....  I don't know if the Hi-Fi geeks or the vintage amp crazies are worse!  Blind tests have always shown the Hi-Fi geeks to look like fools.  If you know any amp history, back in the "magical" 60's, many times the components used in guitar amps were anything laying around the shop that happened to be close.  Time and time again we have seen where the magic happens and the planets align - and I think that is what drives the legendary status of these things.  Clapton's Bluesbreaker.  Billy Gibbons has bought 100's of old Les Pauls to find another Purly Gates - no luck.  He had the pickups measured physically and electronically and people have tried to reproduce them - no luck.  Tony Iomi had his signature Dallas Rangemaster (that he had used since the 60's and on all the Sabbath albums and tours) thrown away by a new equipment guy who thought it was old junk back in 1979.  He's bought dozens of old DR boosters and none sounded the same.  Now he has a boutique version that he says does the trick, but still not the same.  Heck, there's only about 6 parts in the darn thing!  I had two small box 50 watt Marshalls that were not very far apart in serial numbers and they sounded different.  Then there are the players...  There are stories about Jimi plugging in dozens of Roger Mayer Fuzz Faces and not liking any.  Then Roger plugged in the first one again and Jimi said, "Now that's what I've been looking for!  You should have brought that out first!"  

Bottom line, I think there are three reasons for the attraction: 1. The buyer (with more money than sense, and who can't play a lick...) wants to brag about his or her collection of items that are just what (insert name) played - look at me! 2. The amp is not made any more and there is nothing in the world that sounds like it.  3. The buyer (a legit player) is trying to recreate a sound of an original player.

Just MHO!
Jim

[John]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mcintosh-Early-Tube-Stereo-Amp-MC-275-Excellent-Cond-/180694162928?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item2a12361df0

I have to admit though, that is one beautiful work of art!

[OldHouseScott]

Back in college in the early 80's, there was a guy on the hall who had a fairly tweaky system, Ohm speakers, MacIntosh integrated amp, can't remember the turntable and cartridge but nice (maybe Thorens and Ortofon?), not crazy money, but "real good". He was always having problems with the Mac. He ended up trading it in on a NAD integrated amp, which IMNSHO, sounded worlds better than the Mac, and he never had any problems with the NAD.

Not slagging the engineering of the Mac or aesthetics, because it was beautiful and built like a tank, but in this case, again IMO, it didn't live up to the hype. I shudder to think what that amp would be worth now.

[simonallaway]

I'm with you on that Jim.

My "thing" has always been the Les Paul + Marshall tone. Yeah I could spend hundreds of thousands on a genuine 58-60 Gibson...I could spend maybe 6-10k on a 60's JTM half-stack...(there's no way I'll ever use a coiled guitar cord). But I have my 70's Gibson...my 70's Marshall, and I get 95% of the way there for spending only $500.

And dont get me on the topic of vinyl!!! 

[Ritchie200]

See, that's your problem...  You need that coiled cord to give you that last 5%, like duh!  HOWEVER, it has to be a 15ft cord - a 10ft or 20ft will not do it. (just a little "inside" secret information for you that I read somewhere on the web).

Jim

ps HEY, I played with a coiled cord.  Does that make me really, really old?

[simonallaway]

ps HEY, I played with a coiled cord.  Does that make me really, really old?

Recent consumer surveys say "yes". Sorry, old man ;)

[Ritchie200]

Hey sonny, have some respect for your elders!

By the way - GET OFF MY YARD!

Jim