Tweaking the Silverface Musicmaster Bass Amp

taylornutt · Post by **taylornutt** » Sat Sep 25, 2010 8:04 pm

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/msg/1940283010.html

The seller still has the case, he just pulled it out to show off the amp. I requested more images. If it works, I could either keep it or flip it.

vic108 · Post by **vic108** » Sat Sep 25, 2010 8:10 pm

if the case comes with it and the wacky original speaker is in
good shape, it's a steal at today's prices.

I bought one - a 1970 - all original for $300 recently. Like most old Fender bass amps,
OK with bass, killer for guitar. Check out the prices on EBAY to get an idea.

Check the chassis and iron for rust.

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Sat Sep 25, 2010 8:11 pm

if you want to flip it, i'd buy it.

taylornutt · Post by **taylornutt** » Sat Sep 25, 2010 8:18 pm

hotrodperlmutter wrote:if you want to flip it, i'd buy it.

I will keep that in mind. The seller is going to shoot me more pics later tonight and then we can go from there.

taylornutt · Post by **taylornutt** » Sat Sep 25, 2010 8:52 pm

vic108 wrote:if the case comes with it and the wacky original speaker is in
good shape, it's a steal at today's prices.

I bought one - a 1970 - all original for $300 recently. Like most old Fender bass amps,
OK with bass, killer for guitar. Check out the prices on EBAY to get an idea.

Check the chassis and iron for rust.

Lowest thing on ebay right now starting at $395 and bIN of $440. If it works and the the cab is in decent condition, I will probably go take a look.

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Sat Sep 25, 2010 10:05 pm

it's a bargain, even if the cab is a bit bashed up. if you wait around too long someone else will buy it.........

taylornutt · Post by **taylornutt** » Sat Sep 25, 2010 11:19 pm

He sent me another email and said:

By the way, I am selling it as it sits. If I put it together I will sell it on eBay for about 200 more

Should I be at all worried by this?

Billy3000 · Post by **Billy3000** » Sun Sep 26, 2010 12:29 am

That is a good deal as long as the cab and speaker come with it. That email kind of makes it sound like he wants 200 just for the amp chassis.

taylornutt · Post by **taylornutt** » Sun Sep 26, 2010 12:36 am

Billy3000 wrote:That is a good deal as long as the cab and speaker come with it. That email kind of makes it sound like he wants 200 just for the amp chassis.

In the description, he stated:

The case does come with it, I just removed it for photos and to look it over.

The case has been drilled a few times and is not in the best condition although it is a very solid case.

My question is the case and the cab the same thing?

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Sun Sep 26, 2010 12:45 am

well, i'd assume there's 3 parts to these particular amps: amp/chassis, cab & speaker.

i would assume the case he's talking about is the cab.

taylornutt · Post by **taylornutt** » Sun Sep 26, 2010 1:02 am

I asked him to send me a photo of the amp assembled, so I can see the entire setup. I interpreted his message to mean I was buying the entire amp, but he was not going to put the Chassis back in the cabinet. I am going to email him back just to be sure. I am not interested if it's not the entire amp.

How difficult is it to reassemble one of those Musicmaster Bass Amps?

taylornutt · Post by **taylornutt** » Sun Sep 26, 2010 1:03 am

stewart wrote:it's a bargain, even if the cab is a bit bashed up. if you wait around too long someone else will buy it.........

What's weird is this amp was posted on 9-6-10, which means it has been up for almost 3 weeks. Either the photos without the cab turned people off or this is not the deal I think it is.

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Sun Sep 26, 2010 1:10 am

In this case I wouldn't even think about buying it without seeing it first. Caveat emptor, etc.

taylornutt · Post by **taylornutt** » Sun Sep 26, 2010 1:14 am

stewart wrote:In this case I wouldn't even think about buying it without seeing it first. Caveat emptor, etc.

Can I demo the amp if the chassis is not in the cab? Isn't it a simple cable from the speaker to the chassis?

taylornutt · Post by **taylornutt** » Sun Sep 26, 2010 2:22 am

I emailed the guy back. here is what I asked him:
Me

Ijust want to clarify what your last message said:

It's $225 for the entire amp( chassis, cab and speaker), everything works fine, and I will have to put it back together.

Am I understanding what you said correctly?

His reply:

In my ad I mentioned that when you play straight into amp without pedals it is pretty quiet as of it needs new tubes.

When I use an overdrive pedal it cranks. I have had several of these old fenders and they are great amps.

I burned both my hands awhile back and they are just healing is the main reason I have not put it back together. My fingertips are in rough shape.

It does work. It could be plugged in and tried.

I would go to $200 as it sits.

Did he answer my question? It's good that I can try out the amp, and he even dropped the price to $200, but he never states if the cab and speaker are included. Unfortunately the pictures don't show it.

Sidney Vicious · Post by **Sidney Vicious** » Sun Sep 26, 2010 3:03 am

The way I'm understanding it you get the whole amp - the chassis and the cab (case in his language) which includes the speaker - at 200 even without the speaker a decent deal - as you are getting it without shipping - unless you have to drive across Texas to get it I say go.

Regarding putting it back together - EXTREMELY easy and simple - if the parts are there all you need is a Phillips screw driver.

bob the r0bot · Post by **bob the r0bot** » Sun Sep 26, 2010 3:07 am

it sounds like your getting the cab to me.

taylornutt · Post by **taylornutt** » Sun Sep 26, 2010 3:07 am

Sidney Vicious wrote:The way I'm understanding it you get the whole amp - the chassis and the cab (case in his language) which includes the speaker - at 200 even without the speaker a decent deal - as you are getting it without shipping - unless you have to drive across Texas to get it I say go.

Regarding putting it back together - EXTREMELY easy and simple - if the parts are there all you need is a Phillips screw driver.

It's probably about 45 minutes away by car, but we would probably meet up somewhere in the middle so maybe 30 minutes. I would at least want to power it up and plug a guitar into it to hear it work.

I am surprised he dropped the price $25 without me pushing him at all. The listing is 3 weeks old and maybe he really needs to move it. Pardon my paranoia, it just seems like too good of a deal to actually be true.

Sidney Vicious · Post by **Sidney Vicious** » Sun Sep 26, 2010 3:26 am

I wouldn't be too paranoid - as it is not that great a deal

- a good deal - but not crazy must be a rip off good. Some people ask crasy big money on ebay - but asking doesn't make it worth that. 200-225 for that model is fair for you and for the seller.

taylornutt · Post by **taylornutt** » Sun Sep 26, 2010 3:33 am

Sidney Vicious wrote:I wouldn't be too paranoid - as it is not that great a deal - a good deal - but not crazy must be a rip off good. Some people ask crasy big money on ebay - but asking doesn't make it worth that. 200-225 for that model is fair for you and for the seller.

I have never had any experience with this amp, so I am just being careful. People are asking $500-$600 on ebay for them, but they aren't actually selling. And the fact that I will have to put the amp back together is also a good reason for the lower price as well.

Is what he is saying true that the amp will be quieter or weaker if the tubes need to be changed? That makes sense to me, but I have never had any issues with my tube amps yet so I don't know from experience.