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They are definitely quite desirable, slightly less than a Super Bass but still valuable. Most players wouldn't buy one if they can afford a Super Lead or Super Bass, but they're seen as a good alternative on a budget. A lot get extra caps added to one or more input channels to brighten them up.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Just threw a Fulltone plimsoul pedal in front of it.
In the 80s you might have seen them used as a basis for distortion mods, since all old Marshalls were, and PAs had an extra valve stage already so were easier to get more gain out of.
Nowadays I think it's better to use them as you are, as a great clean amp which takes pedals really well. It is possible to do some simple mods which don't destroy the character of the amp though - since all four channels are the same, and all four models of the original amps (lead, bass, PA, organ) are also closely related, by adding a few caps you can get an approximation of the various models from each channel. Or alternatively, one I did recently - essentially to make channels 1 and 2 into a Super Lead, and 3 and 4 into a Super Bass. You can't easily get the Super Lead tone stack without more extensive work but many people prefer the warmer bass/PA version anyway.
However given the apparent condition of your amp I would think carefully before even doing very simple mods - as you already know, the simplest and most effective is just to put a good pedal in front of it!
Be careful if those speakers are Greenbacks - that's only a 50W cabinet and the amp will easily exceed 100W even clean, if the power valves are in good condition.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Kossoff liked 'em!
Rob
That cab contains 2 x 12" celestion greenback g12h speakers. Hopefully the picture link works. I have 2 of these cabs! They sound awesome although i only gig with one of them.
I've no plans to mod the amp or even use it. Probably just hang on to it for another 25 years!
Pic
<a href='http://i.imgur.com/AomrNmU' title=''><img src='http://i.imgur.com/AomrNmU.jpg' alt='' title='Hosted by imgur.com' /></a>
They're G12H-30s, obviously. Still, be careful about cranking that amp anywhere near up loud through only one of the cabinets, it will blow a 60W cab almost as easily as a 50W one.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Rob.
What do you think it's value is for an excellent condition one? I will take some pics tmrw i think.
Sadly very common .
Generally the old preamp valves in particular last decades, there's usually no need to change any of them. If anything, on an amp that's had fairly light use it's more likely that the filter caps will need changing than the valves.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Keeping the old parts panders to the idea that original parts are somehow more valuable than ones that are working properly, and also leaves open the possibility that some twit will put them back, or sell them to someone who wants to make his old amp 'original'.
Giving them back the old parts as 'proof' of what you've done is meaningless too - they could have come from anywhere. A car mechanic screwed me like that once… I was suspicious enough to take it somewhere else, who confirmed that the 'original' part had not come off my car because the actual original part was still place and had been bodged to 'fix' it...
So I never normally return old parts unless specifically asked to, and even then I'm grumpy about it .
I am also well aware of other techs who keep valuable old valves from amps when 'replacing all the valves because they're old' too. If someone does ask for a full revalve and doesn't want the old ones I will offer a discount from the work for them.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
I suppose the other issue is an amps intended purpose, a worn old set of Mullards maybe fine for a collector, but I wouldn't put my reputation on it for a gigging musician - worn valves are worn valves, choose how good they may have once been. The problem is we are only as good as our last job, and one post on a forum can trash your reputation, so I tend to err on the side of caution.