Which gear would you sell? Advice wanted

  • Thread starter Thread starter hellzington
  • Start date Start date
Thanks for all the thoughts. Definitely interesting to see a lot of opinions. I think I'm most fascinated about what people think is irreplaceable. It's a good point that many of these amps could be acquired again. I was also fascinated that so many people feel I should keep the AFD100; I thought people generally hated that amp. 🤷‍♂️

So here's what I'm thinking of keeping now, with some context for each:
  • 1970 Marshall 1959 Super Lead
    • Never selling
  • 1972 Marshall 1986 Bass
    • Not selling
  • 1983 Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ DRGX
    • Not selling
  • 1987 Marshall Silver Jubilee 2550 (Signed by Jim Marshall)
    • Kept the Jube that has more sentimental value to me; could easily keep the 2555 if people really feel that's the way to go
  • 1990 Marshall 1987 "4-Hole" JCM 800 Friedman Kitchen Sink Mod
    • This one was interesting. Pretty much everyone said to sell this one but it's my single favorite amp out of all the ones listed here. It sounds absolutely incredible and is three channels and fully footswitchable. I might not own it forever, but I have no plan to sell it.
  • 1993 Mesa Dual Rectifier Rev F
    • Black treadplate w/ chrome chassis SN 1717, a nice collectible. I like Rectifiers but they really aren't "my" sound. We'll see how long it stays around but I'll keep it for now.
  • 2011 Marshall AFD100 Slash Signature
    • Like I said above, interesting people said to keep this. I like it so this makes it easier to hold on to 😅
  • 2012 Friedman Naked Mk I
    • One of my favorite amps of all time. Not for sale.
  • 2020 Friedman Jake E. Lee Signature
    • Could be open to selling it one day but this amp is so perfect it has stopped me from buying JCM800's so there's some value there... haha.
  • 2021 Carstens Amplification Grace (Signed by Billy Corgan)
    • Love this amp. Not for sale.
  • 2021 Carstens Amplification Warm Machine
    • Love this amp. Not for sale.
  • 2022 Carstens Amplification Grace Deux #1
    • Love this amp. Not for sale. Also Serial Number 1 in an all aluminum chassis, so a collectible.
  • 2022 Headfirst Alta 100
    • Great amp, not sure how long I'll hold onto it because it's very similar to many of the other Marshall style amps here.
  • 2023 Bogner Uber Ultra
    • Unknown if it'll be my thing but I'm willing to find out.
 
glpg80 said:
Mine knew I was looking for a GH100S for years while we dated. Finally found one, told her the price, and she bought it for me as a birthday present.

They’re rare as all get out. I love that thing.
Click to expand...

Which one are you talking about? The amp or the wife that actually bought you an amp?
 
Guitars are a bit harder because y'all can't play them. Amps we know what they do. I agree with most people that I need to reduce the number of Les Pauls. While they're beautiful and hold their value very well, it's just too many of one type of guitar.

Here's what I'm thinking for guitars:
  • Gibson Custom Trini Lopez M2M in Pelham Blue VOS to Dave Grohl specs
    • Keeping. These are impossible to find. I actually tried to order my own M2M from Gibson through Sweetwater and they won't build M2M's to artist specs anymore. So if you see an M2M with artist specs and you're a fan or collector, I'd grab it while you can.
  • Gibson Custom ES-335 in Silver Mist VOS
    • Keeping. This guitar is just so cool looking and it plays and sounds great. I think I'm going to switch the pickups from Lollar Low Winds to a set of Slash Alnico II Pro's though. The guitar is pretty bright and could use more midrange, a sweeter top end, and a bit more output.
  • Gibson Custom ES-356 in Black VOS
    • Probably selling. This is a great guitar. Plays and sounds great, but don't know if I need it. I also wish the '57 classics in this were wax potted. This is one of my fiancee's favorite guitars.
  • Gibson Custom Les Paul Custom in Pelham Blue
    • Selling. Has a headstock repair that was already done when I bought the guitar new from a dealer. (Was UPS damaged)
  • Gibson Custom Les Paul Custom in Oxblood
    • Arrives today. Might be cool, might not. Open to selling if it's nothing special.
  • Gibson Custom R9 in Tobacco Sunburst (insane top)
    • Keeping
  • Gibson Custom R9 in Lemon Burst (insane top)
    • Selling
  • Gibson Custom R8 in Factory Burst (totally insane top)
    • Selling
  • Gibson Les Paul Classic Premium Plus in Cinnamon Burst
    • Not for sale
  • PRS Standard 22 Trem in Platinum Metallic
    • Not for sale
  • PRS Standard 22 Stoptail in Dark Cherry
    • At the shop right now getting it's electronics changed. Probably keeping.
  • Fender American Standard Hardtail Strat HH
    • Selling. Cool guitar loaded with Lollar Imperials, but can sell.
  • Fender Custom Shop Postmodern Strat in Firemist Gold
    • Keeping. Sounds great and my only single coil guitar. Hard to find 22 fret guitars from the FCS.
  • Ernie Ball MM Sabre in Eclipse Sparkle
    • Open to selling
  • Tom Anderson Drop Top Fire Wakeburst
    • Not for sale. No other guitar sounds like this one and it plays incredibly.
  • Friedman NoHo 24 in AA Flame Sunburst
    • Not for sale. I really like the NoHos.
  • Friedman NoHo 24 in White
    • Not for sale. This is a particularly awesome sounding and playing guitar.
  • Friedman Vintage T HH in Silver Sparkle light aged
    • Selling. This is a great sounding guitar, but I don't think I need it.
  • Warmoth Semi-Hollow Tele w/ Lollar Wide Range pickups
    • Might keep, might sell. I doubt it will sell for much and I built it to my specs so it's very comfortable to play and sounds great.
 
Diezel Einstein and ADH seems the easiest to part with, at least for me.

Of guitars, all Friedman and Warmoth easy, maybe Standart Strat too, I got not much love to Fenders, and you have Tom Anderson.

And ofc, need to sell that MkIIc+ to me, as it has compatible voltage to where I live.
 
Last edited:
CrystalSky said:
Diezel Einstein and ADH seems the easiest to part with, at least for me.

Of guitars, all Friedman and Warmoth easy, maybe Standart Strat too, I got not much love to Fenders, and you have Tom Anderson.

And ofc, need to sell that MkIIc+ to me, as it has compatible voltage to where I live.
Click to expand...
I like the Friedman guitars. The shorter scale and 24 frets on the NoHo is an unusual combination that I find very comfortable as a medium sized human (I'm 5'9 170lbs). The pickups across the Friedman line are pretty great, too. Nothing crazy just good classic sounds.

Yeah, I've listed the Einstein for sale. Gonna put it on here too, I've just been waiting to get everything together so I can have another Super Sale. Easier for me to manage one thread with 10 items in it than 10 threads with one item each.

Haha, the IIC+ isn't for sale. I just put $1k worth of work into it with Mike B. It'll actually be back tomorrow but I might have to wait until Monday to get it because I'm going to be leaving town for the weekend. I almost sold it to a guy on here for $10k but he backed out.
 
hellzington said:
I like the Friedman guitars. The shorter scale and 24 frets on the NoHo is an unusual combination that I find very comfortable as a medium sized human (I'm 5'9 170lbs). The pickups across the Friedman line are pretty great, too. Nothing crazy just good classic sounds.

Yeah, I've listed the Einstein for sale. Gonna put it on here too, I've just been waiting to get everything together so I can have another Super Sale. Easier for me to manage one thread with 10 items in it than 10 threads with one item each.

Haha, the IIC+ isn't for sale. I just put $1k worth of work into it with Mike B. It'll actually be back tomorrow but I might have to wait until Monday to get it because I'm going to be leaving town for the weekend. I almost sold it to a guy on here for $10k but he backed out.
Click to expand...
I just thought that Friedmans are widely available and quite generic, no investment value either. But if you like it, very good!

1k? Maintenance and cap job is so expensive? Damn I wish I had the dough for that IIc+. These prices are insane :(
 
CrystalSky said:
I just thought that Friedmans are widely available and quite generic, no investment value either. But if you like it, very good!

1k? Maintenance and cap job is so expensive? Damn I wish I had the dough for that IIc+. These prices are insane :(
Click to expand...
Retubing it was $500. Mike B’s time was $300. Miscellaneous parts from Mesa were another few hundred. I also wanted better caps than what Mesa has available right now (Taiwanese or something, can’t remember offhand but can look it up for you) so I ordered caps Mike and Brian Carstens recommended for it. That was another $200 or so. Plus shipping and insurance both ways. Not cheap. But now ready for another 40 years.
 
hellzington said:
Retubing it was $500. Mike B’s time was $300. Miscellaneous parts from Mesa were another few hundred. I also wanted better caps than what Mesa has available right now (Taiwanese or something, can’t remember offhand but can look it up for you) so I ordered caps Mike and Brian Carstens recommended for it. That was another $200 or so. Plus shipping and insurance both ways. Not cheap. But now ready for another 40 years.
Click to expand...
So cool! A little envious :)

Info on parts’ brands will be nice, especially if Mike B himself approves those!
 
CrystalSky said:
So cool! A little envious :)

Info on parts’ brands will be nice, especially if Mike B himself approves those!
Click to expand...
Sure, so here's what he sent me regarding the "Illinois" caps (don't be confused; they're made in Taiwan -- not saying that's bad, just saying:)

Please read this regarding main filter caps.

We currently do not have the "BMI, made for Mesa" 30 mf 500 volt caps. BMI has a problem that has not been sorted out, on their production. As we ran out, we are now using an Illinois 47 mf 500 volt caps instead. They were listen tested upstairs here at Mesa and approved. We have used a number of Illinois caps (usually made in Taiwan ? ) and have had no issues with any of them.
Most of the low voltage electrolytic caps I will continue to replace as a prudent service on vintage boogies are Illinois caps, as they have been for many years.

The 220 mf / 300 volt main caps are now facing the same issue. We are going to be using an Illinois cap for this too. I consider the 220 mf/300v caps used untilsometimein1984 to be a mandatory replace. The silver and light blue caps used for the next 4 to 5 years have shown only a very few fails.
If keeping US made hi-volt caps in your vintage Mesa amp is important to you, they can be left if desired.

Another alternate, on the 60 watt and 100 watt, MK2 ands mk3 amps, we still have stock of the 180 mf/450 volt BMI US made caps. 20 % less mf but not a problem in my opinion, With no caps under the board like a simul-class, the board can be lowered a bit and use these.

As for the 30 mf /500v, if you wish US made 30 mf 500volt caps in your vintage boogie, you can order some of these and have them sent, to use in your amp.

Please email me if you wish to do this and send me a shipping confirmation when done.

So for the 220 mf / 300 volt caps I bought Spragues from Tube Depot at a link Mike B sent me: https://tubedepot.com/products/spra...oeIX5JwZdwY--io8pfIKSiyM3aaxCYNYaAhSGEALw_wcB

For the 30 mf / 500v, I didn't know what to do so I asked Brian Carstens of Carstens Amplification what he would recommend I do and here's what he said:

Sprague and F&T are the best caps available in my opinion. For large filter capacitors F&T’s tend to be slightly smaller in size comparatively which can be helpful, but either are great.

So I told Mike B and he had me order them at this link: https://tubedepot.com/products/f-an...W7rgnyJH8ZyqdkuZ4thl3c_VuUYTcO1UaAiaZEALw_wcB

It's was very cool to get Mike B's history of the amp too. I don't know if this was in the file for this serial number or if he could just tell by looking at it or whatever but I asked him to tell me any info about the amp that he could and to confirm it has the export transformer. Here's what he said:

Ok I will wait for the caps. Honestly I have not had that much experience on the F&T vs. the Illinois. It has only been 6 months of this and both have been fine. If you want to order the F&T that's fine. Lemme know.

Yes, it is a simul and was done here back in the day and it was made in to a "+" way back then too. When it was plussed, likely at No Charge, the pre board was replaced with a new one so it really became relatively a factory C+. It does have the X101 power trans.

Pretty neat!
 
Man….the other day I counted how many amps I have and was shocked to find I have 27 of them. Just seems silly but somehow it happened. I have 17 Marshalls alone. I cannot sell any of the Marshalls. I love them too much and I have some really unique and great sounding examples. I’m a sucker for vintage British amps. I guess my kids will cash out one day cause I don’t see myself getting rid of them anytime soon.

I have probably at least the same number of guitars. But I could cut it down my #1 R9, my Fender Gt11 Tele and my Charvel Nitro Aged San Dimas. I can get anything done with those. Don’t “need” all the others.
 
Truth?
That’s too many amplifiers man.
And guitars..and more is coming..

I’d break it down in amps that have similar power & output tubes.
Example: the worst one of all I’m guilty of:

100 watt El34 heads

Aren’t I supposed to be in all of this somewhere?
(room full of 100 watt EL-34 heads).

With guitars, I need to break them in, if they fit,
THOSE are the ‘for real diamonds’ and can be impossible to duplicate.

attention •Monkey Man•
Hey dude!, you see my Cheech quote up there?
“For real diamonds?”
I told you man, I live that shit and the
ending of the legendary movie
Planet Of The Amps (beach scene),
-when the opportunity surfaces!
 
Dino 939 said:
Truth?
That’s too many amplifiers man.
And guitars..and more is coming..

I’d break it down in amps that have similar power & output tubes.
Example: the worst one of all I’m guilty of:

100 watt El34 heads

Aren’t I supposed to be in all of this somewhere?
(room full of 100 watt EL-34 heads).

With guitars, I need to break them in, if they fit,
THOSE are the ‘for real diamonds’ and can be impossible to duplicate.

attention •Monkey Man•
Hey dude!, you see my Cheech quote up there?
“For real diamonds?”
I told you man, I live that shit and the
ending of the legendary movie
Planet Of The Amps (beach scene),
-when the opportunity surfaces!
Click to expand...
You are in Indiana?
 
hellzington said:
Sure, so here's what he sent me regarding the "Illinois" caps (don't be confused; they're made in Taiwan -- not saying that's bad, just saying:)

Please read this regarding main filter caps.

We currently do not have the "BMI, made for Mesa" 30 mf 500 volt caps. BMI has a problem that has not been sorted out, on their production. As we ran out, we are now using an Illinois 47 mf 500 volt caps instead. They were listen tested upstairs here at Mesa and approved. We have used a number of Illinois caps (usually made in Taiwan ? ) and have had no issues with any of them.
Most of the low voltage electrolytic caps I will continue to replace as a prudent service on vintage boogies are Illinois caps, as they have been for many years.

The 220 mf / 300 volt main caps are now facing the same issue. We are going to be using an Illinois cap for this too. I consider the 220 mf/300v caps used untilsometimein1984 to be a mandatory replace. The silver and light blue caps used for the next 4 to 5 years have shown only a very few fails.
If keeping US made hi-volt caps in your vintage Mesa amp is important to you, they can be left if desired.

Another alternate, on the 60 watt and 100 watt, MK2 ands mk3 amps, we still have stock of the 180 mf/450 volt BMI US made caps. 20 % less mf but not a problem in my opinion, With no caps under the board like a simul-class, the board can be lowered a bit and use these.

As for the 30 mf /500v, if you wish US made 30 mf 500volt caps in your vintage boogie, you can order some of these and have them sent, to use in your amp.

Please email me if you wish to do this and send me a shipping confirmation when done.

So for the 220 mf / 300 volt caps I bought Spragues from Tube Depot at a link Mike B sent me: https://tubedepot.com/products/spra...oeIX5JwZdwY--io8pfIKSiyM3aaxCYNYaAhSGEALw_wcB

For the 30 mf / 500v, I didn't know what to do so I asked Brian Carstens of Carstens Amplification what he would recommend I do and here's what he said:

Sprague and F&T are the best caps available in my opinion. For large filter capacitors F&T’s tend to be slightly smaller in size comparatively which can be helpful, but either are great.

So I told Mike B and he had me order them at this link: https://tubedepot.com/products/f-an...W7rgnyJH8ZyqdkuZ4thl3c_VuUYTcO1UaAiaZEALw_wcB

It's was very cool to get Mike B's history of the amp too. I don't know if this was in the file for this serial number or if he could just tell by looking at it or whatever but I asked him to tell me any info about the amp that he could and to confirm it has the export transformer. Here's what he said:

Ok I will wait for the caps. Honestly I have not had that much experience on the F&T vs. the Illinois. It has only been 6 months of this and both have been fine. If you want to order the F&T that's fine. Lemme know.

Yes, it is a simul and was done here back in the day and it was made in to a "+" way back then too. When it was plussed, likely at No Charge, the pre board was replaced with a new one so it really became relatively a factory C+. It does have the X101 power trans.

Pretty neat!
Click to expand...
Wow! This is very nice piece of tech info! Thanks for sharing!
 
Last edited:
turtlefingers said:
I have sold all my amps and keep just the CCV and the Yamanha THR 30II for practice with headphones, maybe I would by the new Mesa MarkVII.
Guitars which sounds good I have kept because it is hard to find.
Click to expand...

Your last words coming from my heart.👍
 
Keep your faves first, then decide if the others are irreplaceable in some way, should you sell them and decide you want another.
 
Personally I keep what I consider flavors. When I have 2 amps that are relatively close tone wise one has to go. As far as guitars if they don’t get played at least once a month they gotta go too
 
First off. Great taste in music. 90s and 00s is the best.


I'm gonna need to see all of these tops weather they are for sale or not. And what year is your Cinnamon Burst?

  • Gibson Custom R9 in Tobacco Sunburst (insane top)
    • Keeping
  • Gibson Custom R9 in Lemon Burst (insane top)
    • Selling
  • Gibson Custom R8 in Factory Burst (totally insane top)
    • Selling
  • Gibson Les Paul Classic Premium Plus in Cinnamon Burst
    • Not for sale
 
hellzington said:
Ok team, I have a topic that I thought would make a fun thread. I need to sell some gear. Not because I have to but because I am literally out of room and over my personally set limits. I want to get to no more than 13 amps and no more than 12 guitars. I play mostly dark hard rock in the vein of AiC, APC, Tool, Smashing Pumpkins, etc. I also love classic rock tones like GnR, Zeppelin, Van Halen, etc. There's also a dash of punk in there, stuff like AFI, Blink, and Green Day. Finally, I grew up in the 90s so always play a lot of old grunge and post-grunge stuff like Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam, STP, Metallica, etc.

Here's my current inventory of guitars and amps. Some I already have and some are incoming.

The question is: which would you list for sale or not list for sale, and why or why not?

I've put the ones I'm leaning towards listing for sale in italics.

Amps

On Hand
  • 1970 Marshall 1959 Super Lead
  • 1972 Marshall 1986 Bass
  • 1983 Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ DRGX
  • 1987 Marshall Silver Jubilee 2550 (Signed by Jim Marshall)
  • 1987 Marshall Silver Jubilee 2555
  • 1990 Marshall 1987 "4-Hole" JCM 800 Friedman Kitchen Sink Mod
  • 1998 Naylor Super Drive 60
  • 2011 Marshall AFD100 Slash Signature
  • 2010 Diezel Einstein 100w
  • 2012 Friedman Naked Mk I
  • 2018 Bogner 20th Anniversary Ecstasy EL34
  • 2020 Friedman Jake E. Lee Signature
  • 2021 Carstens Amplification Grace (Signed by Billy Corgan)
  • 2021 Carstens Amplification Warm Machine
  • 2022 Carstens Amplification Grace Deux #1
  • 2022 Headfirst Alta 100
Incoming via various sales, purchases, etc.
  • 1993 Mesa Dual Rectifier Rev F
  • 2023 Omega Granophyre
  • 2023 Bogner Uber Ultra

Guitars

On Hand
  • Gibson Custom Trini Lopez M2M in Pelham Blue VOS to Dave Grohl specs
  • Gibson Custom ES-335 in Silver Mist VOS
  • Gibson Custom ES-356 in Black VOS
  • Gibson Custom Les Paul Custom in Pelham Blue
  • Gibson Custom R9 in Tobacco Sunburst (insane top)
  • Gibson Custom R9 in Lemon Burst (insane top)
  • Gibson Custom R8 in Factory Burst (totally insane top)
  • Gibson Les Paul Classic Premium Plus in Cinnamon Burst
  • PRS Standard 22 Trem in Platinum Metallic
  • PRS Standard 22 Stoptail in Dark Cherry
  • Fender American Standard Hardtail Strat HH
  • Fender Custom Shop Postmodern Strat in Firemist Gold
  • Ernie Ball MM Sabre in Eclipse Sparkle
  • Tom Anderson Drop Top Fire Wakeburst
  • Friedman NoHo 24 in AA Flame Sunburst
  • Friedman NoHo 24 in White
  • Friedman Vintage T HH in Silver Sparkle light aged
  • Warmoth Semi-Hollow Tele w/ Lollar Wide Range pickups
Incoming
  • Gibson Custom Les Paul Custom in Oxblood

Thoughts??
Click to expand...
Lol are you trolling?

A grocery list full of lifetime amps. You should thin the herd and appreciate what you got because it is great stuff.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top