value update? 1961 brown deluxe

[skeksis]

I have a buy/trade opportunity for a 1961 Deluxe... Original and in good condition - except it's missing the back panels. Has the Jensen alnico speaker (p12q, I think?) and some high-$ power tubes (Bendix 5992).

What's a ballpark value, do you think? Ampwares pulls up a range from $1k-2k, with an average $1500-1700. Probably toward the lower end for the one I'm looking at?

Any thoughts? Is the Jensen preferred over the later Oxford?

ps - the guy also has a blonde '61 Bandmaster head... what's the value on that, do you think?

[skeksis]

bump!

ok... help needed. where are the brown-lovers when you need 'em? I'll let it go after today :-)

[meyekel]

I dig brown amps! The 6G3 is a rock and roll machine and I missed a chance at one last year. If you want that sound for less dosh check out the Allen Hot Fudge w/ Nuts. Oxfords from that time period are actually great speakers and shouldn't get lumped in with the mid-late 60's Oxfarts. I don't know if Jensen was stock in that amp or not. My brown Princeton came stock with an alnico Oxford.

[Natstrat79]

Tubes are considered disposable so the Bendix tubes wouldnt affect the value of the amp for me. Back panels missing however does affect the value quite a bit. It's hard to really pin down a value on these things as the market is pretty soft right now what with everything going on. 6months to a year ago I would have pegged it at 1500-1700 but they might be a few hundred less then that right now. The Jensen is preferred over the Oxfords, original transformers would be another big thing to look for. Having not seen the amp and its condition its hard to give you a hard number but I'd hesitate to go over 1500 with the missing back-panels. A deal would be 1k-1200 I might stretch to 1300 but I'd really have to feel real good about the amp to pay 1400-1500. It would have to be a tone monster and have ZERO issues other than the back panels for me to pay that much. You might really want to check out that bandmaster. The blonde bandmaster has the 2 1/2 tube vibrato that can sound almost leslie univibe like. It is a swirling hypnotic sound that is to die for. Personally I am biased towards the bigger browns like the pro-super-concert but that's just because I already own one. They can be had for about the same price as the brown deluxe and I just feel like I am getting more for my money.

[Groovey Records]

NatStrat is for real

Fender Deluxe (Brown)
Model/Circuit Number: 6G3
Years of Production: 1961 - 1963
Era: Brownface
Configuration: Combo
Controls: Brown forward facing w/ white screened labels, controls numbered 1-10
Knobs: Brown Round
Faceplate
Front: Normal: In, In, Vol, Tone - Bright: In, In, Vol, Tone - Speed, Intensity - Pilot Lamp
Rear: Ground Sw, Fuse (2A), Power Sw, Speaker Jack, Ex. Speaker Jack, Tremolo Jack
Cabinet

Dimensions:
Hardware: Medium Chassis Straps 4 1/2''
Handle: Leather Handle
Feet: Glides
Corners:
Covering Material

Tolex/Tweed: Brown Tolex
Grill Cloth: Wheat Grill Cloth
Logo:
Weight:
Speaker

Size: 1 x 12
Impedance: 8 ohms
Model: Oxford 12K5-6 (For more info, check out the Jensen Replacement Speakers)
Effects: Tremolo
~Watts:
Tubes

Pre amp: 7025 ; 12AX7
Power: 2 x 6V6GT
Bias: Fixed Bias, nonadjustable
Rectifier: GZ34

Comments: Early models had the baffle screwed in from the front. These models also had the channels reversed with the Bright channel on right and the Normal channel on the left.

[skeksis]

Thanks gents... I pulled the trigger on a trade, swapped for a guitar that's worth $1200-1500 to me (no idea what actual current market value would be).

The amp isn't perfect, but has been well maintained. Transformers are all correct (late '61). The guy had 5751's in the 3 preamp slots, which really tamed the gain/volume too far for my tastes. Dropped in some proper 12ax7's when I got home = much more of the brown attitude I was expecting. Sounds very good though the onboard speaker, but amazing through an external cab - which makes me think that the right replacement speaker could be a very nice touch (plus I could rest the old Jensen). Hmmm...

Will try to post a few pics, maybe go crazy and post something to youtube :-)

[Groovey Records]

careful about pushing the old caps and iron with too much gain too fast give them time to reform after being mellow awhile

[Natstrat79]

PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[meyekel]

CLIPS!!!!!!!!!!!