60's Ampeg Gemini II Amp

[tomvwash]

What do others here do when they have gear in the home that you know you paid too much for, and a buyer who will take it off your hands @60percent+ loss?

I bought this locally as mint from a shop in Ft. Lauderdale two years ago for $1300-it looks brand new still, although replaced the handle, capacitors and tubes for a pretty penny. Blue Tolex is beautiful. Quietest amp I've ever owned, not incredibly loud, but rich and mellow--someone called it a honey-like tone--especially ideal for an archtop; 335, and a Telecaster. I have it for sale because it's big, and a buyer coming tomorrow, maybe, and Im relocating back north in 2025. And I have two other Fenders. Then again, it's on wheels--just a small piece of furniture, with a cover no less!

Keep it, stop crying in my beer, knowing that it was a money pit, although all good now, or sell it at a steep loss and make room for what will likely be smaller home in Chicago next year?

[AllanAllen]

I think of tubes, caps and a handle as consumables. While necessary for the amp to function, they do not increase the sale price.

Sell it if you don’t have room. Music gear is a losing investment anyway.

[Litterick]

You will regret selling it.

[ThatRhythmMan]

I think of tubes, caps and a handle as consumables. While necessary for the amp to function, they do not increase the sale price.

But if the work is needed and it hasn’t been done, it does decrease the value.


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[rpjazzguitar]

All the Ampeg leather handles deteriorated.

The tubes can last a very long time.

Caps have to be replaced and it probably got a 3 prong power cable.

But, the photo shows no corrosion on the faceplate and perfect Tolex. That's rare! The amp is beautiful.

If you have to sell it, maybe it will be easier to sell in Chicago.

Or call Retrofret in Brooklyn and see what they might offer for it. I mention them because I've seen old Ampegs there.

[tomvwash]

All the Ampeg leather handles deteriorated.

The tubes can last a very long time.

Caps have to be replaced and it probably got a 3 prong power cable.

But, the photo shows no corrosion on the faceplate and perfect Tolex. That's rare! The amp is beautiful.

If you have to sell it, maybe it will be easier to sell in Chicago.

Or call Retrofret in Brooklyn and see what they might offer for it. I mention them because I've seen old Ampegs there.

Yes, to all of the above. Early call to keep this. I was looking at the Tolex too, like new, spotless. Thank you for the comments.

[AllanAllen]

But if the work is needed and it hasn’t been done, it does decrease the value.


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Yeah, that’s the nature of consumables. A guitar without strings is worth less than a stringed one. But can’t really charge more if the strings are LaBellas vs Ernie Balls.

[Woody Sound]

Reminds me of the ubiquitous line in FS ads:

"Great condition. Just needs a new xxx, but that should be an easy fix."

[ThatRhythmMan]

Yeah, that’s the nature of consumables. A guitar without strings is worth less than a stringed one. But can’t really charge more if the strings are LaBellas vs Ernie Balls.

The unknown of an amp with issues can really scare off buyers. A set of tubes isn’t that big of a deal, but an overhaul could easily cost several hundred dollars. A recently serviced amp by an experienced tech will generally bring top dollar, only beaten in street value by an all original with no apparent issues. A noisy amp will generally get nothing but lowball offers.


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[jads57]

Had one as a teenager lovely sounding amp!

[tomvwash]

The unknown of an amp with issues can really scare off buyers. A set of tubes isn’t that big of a deal, but an overhaul could easily cost several hundred dollars. A recently serviced amp by an experienced tech will generally bring top dollar, only beaten in street value by an all original with no apparent issues. A noisy amp will generally get nothing but lowball offers.


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My experience, precisely. USA vintage aesthetic value--I had one too as a kid--and the fact that I put money into for maintenance-best to hold on to it. Some gear just doesn't translate with marketplace demand. Even the amp tech said, "Never sell this." It's coming to Chicago.

[Dennis D]

Reminds me of the ubiquitous line in FS ads:

"Great condition. Just needs a new xxx, but that should be an easy fix."

And, these days, finding that amp ( or anything else ) repair guy is best described as ' penance '.

I honestly have more fun at my dentist.


MHO : )

[vernon]

We live in a rented 1,200 sq.foot flat on the north side of Chicago… and I have four Fender amps. Not a problem. If you like the amp, keep it. If you need the money for the transition, then try to sell it. You can always get another. By the way, +1 for relocating up north.

[powerwagonjohn]

I have a 1966, it is not as nice as yours though. I put a Altec 418 in it and it's even heavier now but it's still a keeper. Funny, my tech said the same thing to me!
Thanks John

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

My experience, precisely. USA vintage aesthetic value--I had one too as a kid--and the fact that I put money into for maintenance-best to hold on to it. Some gear just doesn't translate with marketplace demand. Even the amp tech said, "Never sell this." It's coming to Chicago.

Over the years, I’ve held onto many amps (and other things) that I kept in a closet and rarely used. Eventually, I realized that I just liked having them because of what they were, reminded me of, or represented to me.

My first gen Boogie hunree 1x12 with EVM was a perfect example. I kept it for years after I stopped using it for most gigs because it was verrrry heavy and much louder than I needed 99% of the time I kept at least one Twin and one Vibrolux for years despite having the Boogie. I bought a BF Bassman 50 head new and held onto it because I thought it was cool. Etc etc etc.

I now realize that I just liked having them all. I almost never even played through them after the new wore off and I went back to the Boogie. And when the Boogie became superfluous, I kept it despite using smaller, lighter amps on gigs.

I still have more amps than I need, some of which have never left home. But I love them. So you don’t have to rationalize keeping the Ampeg - it’s cool, it’s beautiful (in its own way), and you’ll probably never see another in that condition. Loving it is enough reason to keep it. Having said that, I finally sold my Twins, Boogies, Vibroluxes etc. But somehow a late ‘70 Twin and a ‘76 Princeton crept in, took up residence under the piano, and made me restore them. I practice with them from time to time, and I love them. They’re not going anywhere, and I am not ashamed!

PS: the 2x6L6 2x10 blond sort-of-Pro clone that Jazzkritter built is under my desk awaiting a full electronics rebuild. I can’t figure out exactly what circuit it is, and it just doesn’t sound right. He was never able to get rid of the gremlins, so I’m going to convert it to a simple AB763 Pro. Then I’ll put it under the piano with the Twin and Princeton. After all, they’re family!

[rpjazzguitar]

It would be one thing to have a 60 year old amp in the usual player's condition.

But this one looks like it hasn't left the factory yet. That's truly rare. It's suitable for a museum. How do you put a price on something that's unique?

[tomvwash]

It would be one thing to have a 60 year old amp in the usual player's condition.

But this one looks like it hasn't left the factory yet. That's truly rare. It's suitable for a museum. How do you put a price on something that's unique?

Exactly. Nice comment thread here. What was I even thinking? I came really close to selling it this past weekend. This one stays. Gives priceless new meaning.

[wintermoon]

you probably set a record @ $1300 for one of those, but when vintage gear is that mint it carries a premium
there's almost always someone out there willing to pony up for such a clean example.

[tramline]

Love these amps; I bought one about a year ago in similar condition for $800 locally on CL; hard to imagine it going for over 1k but maybe in a bigger market for the right buyer!

[omphalopsychos]

I'd just say you should probably expect to sell any vintage gear you bought in 2022 for a loss today. This excludes highly collectible/desirable stuff which has retained value. But mid to low collectibility stuff has come down.