fast help please - fender twin reverb

[gianluca]

hello my precious helper,
in the local shop here, is just arrived an used fender twin reverb amp that I want to buy.
I'm very far to be a tube amp expert.
what must I check to realize if it is in a good condition?
yesterday I played it for about half an hour and I didn't notice any problem or buzz.
only the heaven's tone.
the owner swears that it is 5 years old and he used it only at home, so at low volume level, and I believe him, I know he isn't a gig player.
the exterior looks ok, no domages.
it has four rubber wheels. not originals, I suppose, but they seems steady and a good idea because the weight.
anyway,
how could I check if it's all right?
the speaker condition?
the tubes?
anything else?

[kawa]

Congratulation !!!
You don't need any thing to do.
For example, my '67 Vibrolux Reverb is still works well in original (orijinal tube, etc) except one side speaker. (reconing)

Also other Fenders, '74 SFTR, The Twin(Red Knob), '65 BFTR-RI (early version) no problems in full origjnal.

I can repairing myself when it's need.

[gianluca]

MAYBE I didn't explain very well because of my bad english.

I mean, what check up is recommended before buy?

[Archie]

5 years old, no buzzes, pops, fizzes, or crackles, sounds good to me. If it was 25 years old, I'd ask a technician to check it out, but a new one should be fine for many years.

[brad4d8]

Originally Posted by gianluca

I mean, what check up is recommended before buy?

Since you played it for half an hour and liked the sound, here are a few things to think about/check.
Did you play it at high volume with still no problems with the sound?
Turn all the controls to high and low several times to see if there is any noise from dirty potentiometers.
Cosmetically, look for any scuffs or tears in the covering, they might indicate some abuse.
My guess is beyond that you'd probably need a tech to go over some of the circuit components.
These are the things I would check on a used amp.
Brad

[kawa]

Sorry, I uderstood.
Almost of the checking was finished.
Please check in the studio for live level's conditions couple of hours.

[Dad3353]

Originally Posted by gianluca

hello my precious helper,
in the local shop here, is just arrived an used fender twin reverb amp that I want to buy.
I'm very far to be a tube amp expert.
what must I check to realize if it is in a good condition?
yesterday I played it for about half an hour and I didn't notice any problem or buzz.
only the heaven's tone.
the owner swears that it is 5 years old and he used it only at home, so at low volume level, and I believe him, I know he isn't a gig player.
the exterior looks ok, no domages.
it has four rubber wheels. not originals, I suppose, but they seems steady and a good idea because the weight.
anyway,
how could I check if it's all right?
the speaker condition?
the tubes?
anything else?

Good afternoon, gianluca...
I agree with kawa and Archie; 5 years old is too soon for tube/speaker wear, or capacitor aging, especially if it has really been played low-level at home (indeed, I would suggest that the speakers are not yet 'broken in' if they have never/seldom known high volume...). If the price is right for you, and the sound, just buy it, they're great amps.
I'm assuming that you intend to use this yourself for something more than bedroom playing; quite a waste otherwise, and there would be better choices for low volume work.
Just one nagging detail: why would one put castors (rubber wheels...) on an amp like this if it's not for gigging? Are the castors worn, or do they look new(ish...)?
Hope this helps; enjoy your acquisition if you go for it...

[M. Smit]

what check up is recommended before buy?

1) check thoroughly if you can slip this monster by the wife unseen, keep in mind that these are heavy sobs so tiptoeing is not an option!
2) seriously: this is very hard for a non technical person maybe even impossible so try to have somebody with a sound comprehension of tube amps check this one through for you, the amp may be in need for some tube replacements anyway.
3) get some sort of a warranty from the seller.

[M. Smit]

forgot about the rubber wheels they have a tendency to rattle

[gianluca]

hello
your help has been very... helpful.
yesterday I bought it for 850,00 eur (about 1.200,00 bucks).
the potentiometers where ok,
the high volume was ok,
the cosmetical was ok.
the tone great,
my wife not to much furious...
so everything was ok.

the serial code is AC09651, and i believe it is dated march 1990 (!!!!) and this says goodbye to the five years old; but, by the way, the date of production is always a "little" far from the date of purchase, isn't it?
could someone confirm this date of production?

I played it for about one hour at home and when I turned it off i noticed it was very hot in the back side. is that the normal tube amps behaviour?

I noticed as well that if you plug in the "2" input, you can play even at home at a tolerable volume and with the same tone than the 1 input (which is much louder).

ok and, as mr. john S. often says, thanks again

gianluca

[rexi]

It´s perfectly normal for the amp to heat up around the tubes, nothing to worry about.

I wouldn´t be too stressed out buying a used amp and if it was 5 10 or 15 years old. If it needs maintainance then most things are easy to fix with these amps.

Thats unless your going for some special vintage stuff, then you would want the original speakers etc

Welcome to the club! -i have a 68´vibrolux and i use it for everything from strats to hollowbodys.

Best regards
Rexi

[bluemood]

Play it loud and open her up should let you know if there a problem .

[mambosun]

The Twin is very tough and would bear occasional bad treatments.
Mine is a vintage 1974 SF and had all its tubes replaced 25 years ago when I bought it used. I never changed them, never noticed any change in the tone.
It fell down several times while playing and everything is still perfectly working.