Polytone

wizard3739 · #1 03-18-2010, 05:45 PM

I am considering selling my 1978 Polytone mini-brute IV and need some serious thoughts about what I should ask for it. It is the one with a 15" speaker and a distortion setting as well as a Hammond reverb. It is old and looks kind of worn but it is absolute perfection for jazz (I never used the distortion so I can't say much about it). Please give me your thoughts on the price I should ask.

wiz

wizard3739 · #2 03-18-2010, 06:10 PM

I just found out the Polytone Mini IV with a 15' speaker now sells (retail) for $1050 (special order).

wiz

mr. beaumont · #3 03-18-2010, 08:09 PM

hate to tell ya, howie, but used ones fetch 300-400 bucks...quite a depreciation, but hey, think of it this way, it'll make some young cat happy.

SamBooka · #4 03-18-2010, 08:15 PM

I did a quick search on ebay for completed listings. There was only one in the last few months and that was 450$ so Mr. B is pretty close to the marc. Sell it if you must. Some things are better to stick in a closet. best of luck.

BigDaddyLoveHandles · #5 03-18-2010, 08:37 PM

Did you scan my Polytone eBay thread?

http://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/guita...ne-thread.html

the 15"ers do better than the 12"ers, but being fairly old (70's) I think Mr B is right -- 300 to 400. It doesn't hurt to have a low opening bid on eBay but a hidden reserve; I'm no psychologist but that seems to pique interest.

wizard3739 · #6 03-18-2010, 10:32 PM

Thanks very much to all for your candid replies, I value your thoughts and will price it to sell.

wiz

Otto · #7 03-19-2010, 02:25 PM

Hi Howie:

I have a similar amplifier and am wondering why you've decided to sell it. I like mine, although it isn't great for a large venue. I have thought about putting in a better speaker. I just wondered about your experience.

By the way, I live in Mesa, so not that far from you. Maybe we'll run into each other some time.

wizard3739 · #8 03-19-2010, 03:28 PM

Hiya Otto,

My experience has all been really good with this Polytone, I have never had any problems with it and I really like the way it sounds for jazz. I used it for several years for jazz gigs in L.A., Tucson, Florida and here in Payson. I recently got a good buy on a "better system(?), Raezer's Edge/ Acoustic Image combo" for my needs so I did list the Polytone for sale on eBay. I do get down to Phoenix once in a while to visit with my son in Peoria. I have been invited to attend a "invitation only" guitar party in Phoenix on Sunday. I think maybe George Benson, Pete Pancrazi, Madeline Roberts and a few other local players may be there. Ought to be a lot of fun!
Maybe we will run across each other sometime in Phoenix, I sometimes come to a jazz jam session at the Pita Jungle somewhere south of Tempe. Most of the Phoenix jazz people go there to hang out when they have time.

best wishes,
wiz (Howie)

iim7V7IM7 · #9 03-19-2010, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wizard3739

Hiya Otto,

My experience has all been really good with this Polytone, I have never had any problems with it and I really like the way it sounds for jazz. I used it for several years for jazz gigs in L.A., Tucson, Florida and here in Payson. I recently got a good buy on a "better system(?), Raezer's Edge/ Acoustic Image combo" for my needs so I did list the Polytone for sale on eBay. I do get down to Phoenix once in a while to visit with my son in Peoria. I have been invited to attend a "invitation only" guitar party in Phoenix on Sunday. I think maybe George Benson, Pete Pancrazi, Madeline Roberts and a few other local players may be there. Ought to be a lot of fun!
Maybe we will run across each other sometime in Phoenix, I sometimes come to a jazz jam session at the Pita Jungle somewhere south of Tempe. Most of the Phoenix jazz people go there to hang out when they have time.

best wishes,
wiz (Howie)

I am in a similar boat to you.

I have had a Polytone Mega-Brute II for about 11 years (8" speaker, sonic circuit with a vinyl cover in excellent shape) and I am considering selling it. I got a AI Clarus 2R Series III and a Raezer's Edge Nighhawk 10ER cabinet about two years ago and no longer use the Polytone any more. I have no idea what it is worth and it takes up no room, so I never sold it. The AI+RE combo is a slightly different tone than your Polytone. I prefer it, but some do not.

Best,

Bob

eddue · #10 03-23-2010, 03:58 PM

I also have a MiniBrute, 2 channel amp that I don't use as much since I got my Acoustic Image Coda R. I don't plan on selling mine because there is still some things I can do with it. Right now it sits in my bedroom and I still play thru it while listening to music or watching TV. I like having it close by when I feel inspired to play. I also keep it as a backup in case the Coda has a problem or I have more than one gig or session and it's convienient to have 2 amps. Considering the low resale value it's worth more to keep it, especially when another musician comes over to play since it works well for most instruments.

If I were considering selling it, I would price it higher than the current going rate so it wouldn't go for too low a price. I just think it would be worth more a few hundred bucks. As long as it is sounding good, keep playing it. Put it in your practice area or if you do any repair or restoring use it in your workshop.

If you must sell it, just don't put low a price on it. Remember the 15" versions seem to sell for more then the MiniBrutes with smaller speakers.

BigDaddyLoveHandles · #11 03-23-2010, 04:12 PM

Bad timing for Howie: at the same time he posted his MB to eBay, someone posted a MB that was 25 years newer, also with a 15" speaker, and for the same opening bid.