silvertone opinions and how much to pay

pistolsteve · August 21st, 2008, 12:45 PM

There's a guy locally selling a Silvertone 1472 on eBay. Based solely on pictures, this amp looks nearly pristine. No rust at all, a little bit of corner wear on the cabinet, everything's nice and shiny. No foot pedal.

So... I'm thinking about getting into the bidding war. I've heard good things about the Silvertones but would like opinions from the TDPRI on this particular model. What kind of tone can I expect, what's it similar to, etc.? I currently play through a Fender G-Dec and a Epi Valve Jr. (rev. 3). I'm mostly a bedroom player, but with aspirations to eventually play out.

Also, what do you think is a good ceiling price for this model in what appears to be excellent condition? Bidding is currently up around $100 with 4 days to go.

WickedGTR · August 21st, 2008, 02:39 PM

My memory of the is mostly the distinct smell they make while burning up.

The price w/ 4 days to go has little to do with the actual price. Factor in the price for repairs if you are actually going to use it much.

They are an ok amp, not spectacular IMHO.

danieldeblanke · August 21st, 2008, 02:49 PM

i wouldn't buy a silvertone off ebay...

I have two silvertones of my own
a twin twelve, and a 1472

the 1472's came with utah speakers, which are "eh" compared to the speakers in the twins.

if I'm looking at the right ad, the seller says:

"I'll include a NOS 6X4 rectifier with this amp because this is the first one to go with use."

that raises flags for me.

any way, I bought a pristine 1472 on sunset blvd, 18 months ago (where prices are on the higher side of the curve) for 350... with tax.

popthree · August 21st, 2008, 03:30 PM

chk ur msgs

skeksis · August 21st, 2008, 05:37 PM

$250-300 if it's really nice. plenty of folks love 'em.

backalleyblues · August 21st, 2008, 06:02 PM

This one's a 1482:

http://tampa.craigslist.org/psc/msg/806342202.html

I personally know the seller, and have seen the amp (though I haven't heard it). It is what he says it is...

Franc Robert
Delta Aces

Justinvs · August 21st, 2008, 09:31 PM

What about 1465's? I'm getting ready to sell one, (head only, I don't have the speakers) and noticed the exact same amp on ebay with a Buy it Now of 300,00. Is this representative of what these old amps are bringing, or is it just someone with delusions of grandeur?

pango_twango · August 21st, 2008, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pistolsteve

What kind of tone can I expect, what's it similar to, etc.? I currently play through a Fender G-Dec and a Epi Valve Jr. (rev. 3). I'm mostly a bedroom player, but with aspirations to eventually play out.

Also, what do you think is a good ceiling price for this model in what appears to be excellent condition? Bidding is currently up around $100 with 4 days to go.

My 2 cents:
They are cool for the "wow, that's an old amp" vibe, but in my opinion, if they can't be had very cheaply, they can't begin to compete with store bought amps. In other words, yes, they're cool, and they've got a vintage sound to them. But when you close your eyes, I bet the Epi and the G-dec sound pretty cool too (for the money).

I'm not bashing the Silvertones. It's just that, frankly, amps made today don't suck.

A lot of the tone in the vintage "practice" amps also comes from the speakers, which are usually on the brink of being fried (in my experience), and Silvertone usually didn't put Celestions in its amps to begin with. But hey, if you want that sound, just run a new amp through an old speaker. They're cheap.

I got my Silvertone on eBay for 35 bucks (shipping was maybe 30). The seller said that it "worked great." I guess he meant that it didn't hum, and it didn't. But then again, it was completely dead, so it's not surprising that it didn't hum. By the time I recapped it (pretty easy with silvertones, usually) and installed an Isolation Transformer (because I don't want to die; it was a hot-chassis design), it was a cool vintage amp again.

Better sounding than an Epi or G-Dec? Naw.

popthree · August 21st, 2008, 11:23 PM

pistolsteve.. if you are really interested in it you should email that guy and make the drive to check it out. old amps that clean are getting harder to find every day.

i'd take that old silvertone over the g-dec or the epi junior any day of the week and i'd never look back. just my .02

maestrovert · August 22nd, 2008, 09:27 AM

i've got a '62 1482 & love it, especially with my full hollow Archtops....

endzone · August 22nd, 2008, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by popthree

i'd take that old silvertone over the g-dec or the epi junior any day of the week and i'd never look back. just my .02

+1 Some of those old Silvertones come with a Jensen speaker. That's a real bonus. But even if not a Jensen, the other speaker that was used is a good sounding speaker. They say that the 1472's and 1482's are supposed to be real similar to a 5e3 Tweed Deluxe. If that's even close, then you've got a great rockin' amp, for not much $. I'm lovin mine.

stantheman · August 22nd, 2008, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by endzone

+1 Some of those old Silvertones come with a Jensen speaker. That's a real bonus. But even if not a Jensen, the other speaker that was used is a good sounding speaker. They say that the 1472's and 1482's are supposed to be real similar to a 5e3 Tweed Deluxe. If that's even close, then you've got a great rockin' amp, for not much $. I'm lovin mine.

The 1472 was my first Amp in Summers '66 and '67 on loan to me from Uncle Lou. The one with the wooden handle.
Total Tone Macheen.
In original condition 200-225 is very fair.
Mint 300-350.
Personally I'd rather just get one with original tubes as aesthetics have never been one of my strong suits with Amps.

popthree · August 22nd, 2008, 03:42 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=687trTfLMoI

this guy is 'funny'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzK8r...eature=related

jh45gun · August 22nd, 2008, 06:04 PM

Better sounding than an Epi or G-Dec? Naw.

[/quote]

I have a 1472 that has been gone through (new Caps and tubes checked ect and I built a 5e3 clone sound wise they are pretty much identical except the Silvertone as a nice vibrato which is a plus. For all intents and purposes they are Silvertone's (Danelectro) version of a Fender Tweed Delux

eggman · December 15th, 2008, 09:22 PM

Howdy,

Just got my 1482 up & running by replacing it's original 12ax7s. Plugged my Gibson Les Paul Sp. in and let 'er rip. Holy COW! This amp is an overdrive machine. Think "LaGrange" or almost anything my George Thorogood. It's short on treble but probably has modification potential. If only I knew how to modify..

Eggman
PS: the "mods" I'd have in mind would be how to increase this amp's meager headroom.

August 21st, 2008, 12:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
pistolsteve TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Age: 37 Posts: 81	silvertone opinions and how much to pay There's a guy locally selling a Silvertone 1472 on eBay. Based solely on pictures, this amp looks nearly pristine. No rust at all, a little bit of corner wear on the cabinet, everything's nice and shiny. No foot pedal. So... I'm thinking about getting into the bidding war. I've heard good things about the Silvertones but would like opinions from the TDPRI on this particular model. What kind of tone can I expect, what's it similar to, etc.? I currently play through a Fender G-Dec and a Epi Valve Jr. (rev. 3). I'm mostly a bedroom player, but with aspirations to eventually play out. Also, what do you think is a good ceiling price for this model in what appears to be excellent condition? Bidding is currently up around $100 with 4 days to go.

August 21st, 2008, 02:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
WickedGTR Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Hillbilly Hollywood Posts: 2,151 4 Photos	My memory of the is mostly the distinct smell they make while burning up. The price w/ 4 days to go has little to do with the actual price. Factor in the price for repairs if you are actually going to use it much. They are an ok amp, not spectacular IMHO. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/jameswilsey

August 21st, 2008, 03:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
popthree Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Tulsa Age: 43 Posts: 2,960 49 Photos	chk ur msgs __________________ "chips are falling....." -Dr. Johnny Fever

August 21st, 2008, 05:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
skeksis Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: phoenix Age: 31 Posts: 400	$250-300 if it's really nice. plenty of folks love 'em. __________________ most of the time: '55 LP Jr. or MIJ '62 Custom Tele ----> '08 Marsh 5F4 Super kit http://www.myspace.com/jswattsmusic

August 21st, 2008, 06:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
backalleyblues Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tampa Bay, FL, USA Age: 45 Posts: 409	This one's a 1482: http://tampa.craigslist.org/psc/msg/806342202.html I personally know the seller, and have seen the amp (though I haven't heard it). It is what he says it is... Franc Robert Delta Aces __________________ "It don't mean a thang if it ain't got that TWANG!!"

August 21st, 2008, 02:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
danieldeblanke Banned TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: southern california Posts: 60	i wouldn't buy a silvertone off ebay... I have two silvertones of my own a twin twelve, and a 1472 the 1472's came with utah speakers, which are "eh" compared to the speakers in the twins. if I'm looking at the right ad, the seller says: "I'll include a NOS 6X4 rectifier with this amp because this is the first one to go with use." that raises flags for me. any way, I bought a pristine 1472 on sunset blvd, 18 months ago (where prices are on the higher side of the curve) for 350... with tax.

August 21st, 2008, 09:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
Justinvs Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Wise River, Montana Age: 46 Posts: 117	What about 1465's? I'm getting ready to sell one, (head only, I don't have the speakers) and noticed the exact same amp on ebay with a Buy it Now of 300,00. Is this representative of what these old amps are bringing, or is it just someone with delusions of grandeur?

August 21st, 2008, 11:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
popthree Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Tulsa Age: 43 Posts: 2,960 49 Photos	pistolsteve.. if you are really interested in it you should email that guy and make the drive to check it out. old amps that clean are getting harder to find every day. i'd take that old silvertone over the g-dec or the epi junior any day of the week and i'd never look back. just my .02

August 22nd, 2008, 09:27 AM	#10 (permalink)
maestrovert Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Branch Mi. Posts: 6,737	i've got a '62 1482 & love it, especially with my full hollow Archtops.... __________________ Sing the Song Bro' Play on Drummer www.godonthe.net

August 22nd, 2008, 03:42 PM	#13 (permalink)
popthree Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Tulsa Age: 43 Posts: 2,960 49 Photos	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=687trTfLMoI this guy is 'funny' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzK8r...eature=related

August 22nd, 2008, 06:04 PM	#14 (permalink)
jh45gun Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1,109	Better sounding than an Epi or G-Dec? Naw.[/quote] I have a 1472 that has been gone through (new Caps and tubes checked ect and I built a 5e3 clone sound wise they are pretty much identical except the Silvertone as a nice vibrato which is a plus. For all intents and purposes they are Silvertone's (Danelectro) version of a Fender Tweed Delux

December 15th, 2008, 09:22 PM	#15 (permalink)
eggman Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bossier City,La. Posts: 1,229	Howdy, Just got my 1482 up & running by replacing it's original 12ax7s. Plugged my Gibson Les Paul Sp. in and let 'er rip. Holy COW! This amp is an overdrive machine. Think "LaGrange" or almost anything my George Thorogood. It's short on treble but probably has modification potential. If only I knew how to modify.. Eggman PS: the "mods" I'd have in mind would be how to increase this amp's meager headroom.