[Dennis68]

Another way to look at his is to compare the amp scenerio to the guitar scenerio. Many here, but I'll speak just for myself here, find contmporary made guitars dubbed as reissues or otherwise to be well-executed product offerings for those of us who won't (or can't) pay tens or into hundreds of thousands for a real Vintage Blackguard or the like to be great. Even though they are not the real deal, I am both satisified with the offerings like those from the American Vintage series and from the Custom Shop. Even MIM's like the 50's Esquire model I find is a quite satisfying guitar. And all of this without really breaking the bank.

To me, same goes for amps. The market of new amps today is nothing short of spectatcular. One cannot deny that tone achievement is no longer reserved for the vintage amps of yesteryear. Whether looking at a Divided by 13 or even a new Fender Super Champ XD, these are great amps for a fraction of what their vintage counterparts are demanding. Unless you are defining yourself as a purisit of the past/collector with no interest in the contemporaries, there is no reason to shun the amps of today. But at the same time, I fully understand why Vintage originals do get the high dollars. They are the real deal of an important ERA, and that is VERY significant.

And IMHO, the high dollar figures being paid for the vintage amps have much more to do with collecting than sound/tone, IMHO.

And keep in mind the weak dollar has enabled international buyers to drive prices up too, and I can't blame any of them for taking advantage of the weak dollar. I'd do the same thing if in their shoes...

The good news is, there is room for everyone and the market of new and used vnitage amps is a great equalizer.