should i buy a silvertone?

JosephB · April 29th, 2008, 05:31 PM

i have been offered a silvertone 1483 (40 watts no verb or trem) by an aquaintence for $200...should i do it? id like to hear some experiences with these amps or any valuable insight you might have for a youngin' like me

Scott S · April 29th, 2008, 05:34 PM

Yes. Next question?

Colt W. Knight · April 29th, 2008, 05:37 PM

It gets an 8.5 on sound on harmony central reviews for sound, but Ive never seen one.

skeksis · April 29th, 2008, 06:09 PM

is it the "bass" combo w/ a 15" speaker? I'd probably pick it up... there's no way you'll lose money on it, and it'll probably surprise you with its awesomeness.

JosephB · April 29th, 2008, 06:16 PM

its only the head though, but yeah i think im going to do it i dont think i can go wrong

cacibi · April 29th, 2008, 07:10 PM

Hand-wired amp for $200 - sounds like a good bet to me, even if it needs some love.

jh45gun · April 29th, 2008, 07:47 PM

Yea I would grab it even if it needs some TLC it would be worth it. A couple of pedals or a good multi pedal like a RP 50 or 80 ect can give ya good verb and vibrato or tremlo what ever ya want to call it.

ye olde fretmonkey · April 29th, 2008, 08:14 PM

I'd go $200 on something like that. Just be prepared for another $150 in tubes, caps and general cleanup.

JosephB · April 29th, 2008, 08:35 PM

its just been serviced actually, new tubes etc. and is in good running condition. i'm definately going to spring for it. i hope it follows thru!

missfortune · April 29th, 2008, 08:36 PM

Congratulations.

Was there a question in there?

Snag the amp, OK?

jh45gun · April 29th, 2008, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JosephB

its just been serviced actually, new tubes etc. and is in good running condition. i'm definately going to spring for it. i hope it follows thru!

If it is got new caps and tubes in it then you would be getting a steal at 200 bucks. I would snap that up in a heartbeat.

teleman65 · April 29th, 2008, 11:37 PM

When you get it pics and soundclips are required

Justinvs · April 30th, 2008, 09:49 AM

Funny that this question came up. I was just about to post and ask if anyone knew where to find parts for these old Silvertones. I've got a beat up 1465 head that I need to find a fuse cap for. I picked it up at a pawn shop years ago and never played it much. Frankly, I wasn't impressed with the sound, but it could have been the cab I was playing through. I had no idea these things were beginning to get any kind of collectors value.

jh45gun · April 30th, 2008, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justinvs

Funny that this question came up. I was just about to post and ask if anyone knew where to find parts for these old Silvertones. I've got a beat up 1465 head that I need to find a fuse cap for. I picked it up at a pawn shop years ago and never played it much. Frankly, I wasn't impressed with the sound, but it could have been the cab I was playing through. I had no idea these things were beginning to get any kind of collectors value.

It might need some TLC also like new caps ect to get it sounding good. Do you have any old electronic/repair shops in your area they normally have a bin of old fuse holder parts. I had a loose fuse holder cap on my PA head that I noticed last week so I went to my electronic tech friend and got a used fuse holder from him to replace the one I had as other caps did not fit it the fuse holder was worn out so while a cap might work you may need the whole assembly too. The shaft sizes on these can be different sizes so I would measure first before ordering a replacement. I would just do a search for fuse holders online if you cannot find a local source. Lots of folks order from Mouser.

CatfishStudios · April 30th, 2008, 11:51 AM

Saw one for sale for 500 bucks at a pawn shop...Ive read about them so I tried it out, and it sounded pretty good..not the bees knees..but decent..asking too much...so I passed..but I think for 2 bills...I would have grabbed it.

rahbee · April 30th, 2008, 01:29 PM

i love my 1484. probably needs a good checkup, but still a great amp.

JosephB · April 30th, 2008, 07:58 PM

he's in athens, im in atlanta goin up this weekend to test 'er out and bring 'er home, hopefully. He has electro-harmonix 6l6's in there good tube? what would be a good replacement? (besides an old GE model haha) i only have experiences with 6550 and el34 tubes.

GuitarJunkie84 · April 30th, 2008, 08:05 PM

You're saving a lot on the amp, I'd say go for an old GE. I put one in my amp and have been pretty happy!!

JosephB · April 30th, 2008, 08:08 PM

really? how much do they usually cost?

Dacious · April 30th, 2008, 08:20 PM

NO. Don't buy it. It's a crock. It'll kill you, make you impotent and your girlfriend crosseyed - like your wife.

By the way, what is the number of the guy selling it.....?

Not to everyone's taste, but a good sound IMO. Grunge/garage nirvana, especially with a Mosrite, Dano, Airline or - Silvertone! $200? You just can't lose - saw one of those for $500 in a New York guitar shop with matching cab.

Yes, worth getting fettled. Vintage radio shops are a good source of parts and expertise, if you can get their noses out of out of their Quads and Leaks and Radiolas for five minutes.

A very good amp to learn how to recap and do minor servicing, as very simple inside.

txjeff · April 30th, 2008, 08:29 PM

Ok, I'll be the devils advocate.

From a Vintage standpoint, I'd say sure.

And it might be good with the correct, efficient speakers.

But I had one in 69 with speakers and all and it was below average. I think you would be happier with a Fender. IMHO

jh45gun · April 30th, 2008, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txjeff

Ok, I'll be the devils advocate.

From a Vintage standpoint, I'd say sure.

And it might be good with the correct, efficient speakers.

But I had one in 69 with speakers and all and it was below average. I think you would be happier with a Fender. IMHO

I'll be the devils advocate again and say maybe it did not sound as good as you wanted back in 69 as you were lusting for something else instead of that Catalog Silvertone and now it might sound ok to you? Back then I know there was amps I did not care for until I got my Super Reverb. Still today I wish I maybe still had some of those amps. I know I wish I had my first Fender Guitar which was a Duo Sonic which now is about worth $1600.00 clams.

txjeff · April 30th, 2008, 10:48 PM

Yer right. And my memory ain't what it used to be! :)

teleman55 · April 30th, 2008, 11:57 PM

Buy that amp.

jh45gun · May 1st, 2008, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txjeff

Yer right. And my memory ain't what it used to be! :)

Neither is mine LOL in fact I been trying to think what my first amp was and I cannot remember. My First guitar was a archtop accoustic probably a Harmony. My first Electric was a Japanese Teisco with a funky pickguard that had multi colored squares and was one of those 4 pickup jobs. I then got that Fender Duo sonic but I sure do not remember my first amp. I remember buying a Harmony SS amp and a friend did too from a catalog that local pharmacist and ordered it out of his drug store LOL and both of us when we got the amps got rid of them as they were pretty poor. Two 12's in a tall combo amp with a red stripe down the side of the amp is all I remember about them. I know I had an amp before that though and do not remember what it was. I do remember having a Silvertone head and cab the one the cab fit into the cabinet. (wish I had it now LOL) But that was before I got my Super Reverb as I am sure the guy that I bought the SR from took my Silvertone in trade as he wanted the 2x12 cabinet. Which I know he still has after all these years as I got my SR in 1970 and it was a used SF but like new. I know he does not have the head anymore though.

GuitarJunkie84 · May 1st, 2008, 07:23 AM

Hey JosephB, I paid $50 for my NOS GE, I have been thinking about upgrading my preamp tube too... in the meantime I am waiting though, because I am getting an attenuator and will actually get to hear my power tube being pushed a bit more which should be nice. I know I am looking forward to it!

JosephB · May 1st, 2008, 03:49 PM

well...i already have a "main" amp that covers all my bases (69 ampeg vt40) this would be more of a takin to friend's houses to jam kinda amp...that being said the tone doesn't NEED to be incredible, but it needs to get the job done. the ones i've heard are superb as far as that teetering-on-the-edge-of-distortion type overdrive and thats really all i want outta this seeing as the cleans on my ampeg are some of the best i've ever heard(!). thanks for the insight all of you...i'll try and have clips up as soon as i get it this weekend!!

April 29th, 2008, 05:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
JosephB TDPRI Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 64	should i buy a silvertone? i have been offered a silvertone 1483 (40 watts no verb or trem) by an aquaintence for $200...should i do it? id like to hear some experiences with these amps or any valuable insight you might have for a youngin' like me __________________ Great things are not accomplished by those who yield to trends and fads and popular opinion. -Jack Kerouac

April 29th, 2008, 06:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
skeksis Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: phoenix Age: 30 Posts: 212	is it the "bass" combo w/ a 15" speaker? I'd probably pick it up... there's no way you'll lose money on it, and it'll probably surprise you with its awesomeness. __________________ '86 mij '62 Custom Tele ----> '08 Marsh 5F4 Super kit or 60's Silvertone guitars (Harmony-made) ----> '66 Princeton Reverb http://www.myspace.com/jswattsmusic

April 29th, 2008, 06:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
JosephB TDPRI Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 64	its only the head though, but yeah i think im going to do it i dont think i can go wrong __________________ Great things are not accomplished by those who yield to trends and fads and popular opinion. -Jack Kerouac

April 29th, 2008, 07:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
cacibi Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,696	Hand-wired amp for $200 - sounds like a good bet to me, even if it needs some love. __________________ www.krisgeren.com

April 29th, 2008, 08:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
ye olde fretmonkey Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Austin Posts: 3,323	I'd go $200 on something like that. Just be prepared for another $150 in tubes, caps and general cleanup. __________________ Just 'cause that's the way things are, that never did make it right.

April 29th, 2008, 05:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
Scott S Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: SW CR IA US NA PE Age: 27 Posts: 1,210	Yes. Next question?

April 29th, 2008, 05:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
Colt W. Knight Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Wyoming Age: 24 Posts: 1,420	It gets an 8.5 on sound on harmony central reviews for sound, but Ive never seen one.

April 29th, 2008, 07:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
jh45gun Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 903	Yea I would grab it even if it needs some TLC it would be worth it. A couple of pedals or a good multi pedal like a RP 50 or 80 ect can give ya good verb and vibrato or tremlo what ever ya want to call it.

April 29th, 2008, 08:35 PM	#9 (permalink)
JosephB TDPRI Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 64	its just been serviced actually, new tubes etc. and is in good running condition. i'm definately going to spring for it. i hope it follows thru! __________________ Great things are not accomplished by those who yield to trends and fads and popular opinion. -Jack Kerouac

April 29th, 2008, 08:36 PM	#10 (permalink)
missfortune Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Dallas, TX Age: 43 Posts: 193 15 Photos	Congratulations. Was there a question in there? Snag the amp, OK? __________________ Peace, missfortune http://www.soundclick.com/professorf...ightycowwolves

April 30th, 2008, 09:49 AM	#13 (permalink)
Justinvs TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Wise River, Montana Age: 46 Posts: 22	Funny that this question came up. I was just about to post and ask if anyone knew where to find parts for these old Silvertones. I've got a beat up 1465 head that I need to find a fuse cap for. I picked it up at a pawn shop years ago and never played it much. Frankly, I wasn't impressed with the sound, but it could have been the cab I was playing through. I had no idea these things were beginning to get any kind of collectors value.

April 30th, 2008, 11:51 AM	#15 (permalink)
CatfishStudios Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon , United States Age: 32 Posts: 713	Saw one for sale for 500 bucks at a pawn shop...Ive read about them so I tried it out, and it sounded pretty good..not the bees knees..but decent..asking too much...so I passed..but I think for 2 bills...I would have grabbed it. __________________ “Somebody has to do something, and it's just incredibly pathetic that it has to be us.”-Jerry Garcia

April 30th, 2008, 01:29 PM	#16 (permalink)
rahbee Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 230 7 Photos	i love my 1484. probably needs a good checkup, but still a great amp. __________________ ____________________________ "I've got a beat up Silvertone amp I plug it in and it sounds like a champ"

April 30th, 2008, 07:58 PM	#17 (permalink)
JosephB TDPRI Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 64	he's in athens, im in atlanta goin up this weekend to test 'er out and bring 'er home, hopefully. He has electro-harmonix 6l6's in there good tube? what would be a good replacement? (besides an old GE model haha) i only have experiences with 6550 and el34 tubes. __________________ Great things are not accomplished by those who yield to trends and fads and popular opinion. -Jack Kerouac

April 30th, 2008, 08:05 PM	#18 (permalink)
GuitarJunkie84 Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toledo, Ohio Age: 24 Posts: 233	You're saving a lot on the amp, I'd say go for an old GE. I put one in my amp and have been pretty happy!!

April 30th, 2008, 08:08 PM	#19 (permalink)
JosephB TDPRI Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 64	really? how much do they usually cost? __________________ Great things are not accomplished by those who yield to trends and fads and popular opinion. -Jack Kerouac

April 30th, 2008, 08:20 PM	#20 (permalink)
Dacious Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Godzone Posts: 2,605 35 Photos	NO. Don't buy it. It's a crock. It'll kill you, make you impotent and your girlfriend crosseyed - like your wife. By the way, what is the number of the guy selling it.....? Not to everyone's taste, but a good sound IMO. Grunge/garage nirvana, especially with a Mosrite, Dano, Airline or - Silvertone! $200? You just can't lose - saw one of those for $500 in a New York guitar shop with matching cab. Yes, worth getting fettled. Vintage radio shops are a good source of parts and expertise, if you can get their noses out of out of their Quads and Leaks and Radiolas for five minutes. A very good amp to learn how to recap and do minor servicing, as very simple inside. __________________ My other Telecaster is a Thinline The Tele Bible, Ch 1, v 10 Love thy Telecaster, covet not thy neighbour's Strat!

April 30th, 2008, 08:29 PM	#21 (permalink)
txjeff TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Granbury, TX Age: 53 Posts: 91	Ok, I'll be the devils advocate. From a Vintage standpoint, I'd say sure. And it might be good with the correct, efficient speakers. But I had one in 69 with speakers and all and it was below average. I think you would be happier with a Fender. IMHO

April 30th, 2008, 10:48 PM	#23 (permalink)
txjeff TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Granbury, TX Age: 53 Posts: 91	Yer right. And my memory ain't what it used to be! :)

April 30th, 2008, 11:57 PM	#24 (permalink)
teleman55 TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: fox lake, il Age: 53 Posts: 93	Buy that amp.

May 1st, 2008, 07:23 AM	#26 (permalink)
GuitarJunkie84 Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toledo, Ohio Age: 24 Posts: 233	Hey JosephB, I paid $50 for my NOS GE, I have been thinking about upgrading my preamp tube too... in the meantime I am waiting though, because I am getting an attenuator and will actually get to hear my power tube being pushed a bit more which should be nice. I know I am looking forward to it!