70's sf Deluxe: is it worth it?

Scott M · April 10th, 2003, 08:59 AM

A local store has this amp. It has just seen a tech for some repair. I have yet to talk to the guy, who is a friend of mine, regarding the overall health of the amp. If he says it is ok, should I go for it? The store is only asking $500 for it. The grill cloth has been replaced with some wierd fabric that looks kinda stupid. I don't know if the "frame" for the grill is the original. The straps on top and handle hardware have been painted black - no big deal.

I don't have the cash, but I have a PV classic 30 and a SF champ I could probably swap two for one. I hate to give up 2 for 1, but I have absolutely nothing in the PV. What do you think?

-Scott

Bill Beck · April 10th, 2003, 09:21 AM

I would say, YES! You can always replace the grille frame and cloth. As long as the guts are okay, even if it was a late 70's pull boost version, the price is reasonable.
I'd go in around $425 first and see what happens.

Lance · April 10th, 2003, 09:33 AM

Says 70's DRs are going for $700 - $900. Assuming it's just the grill cloth, which you can replace for about $30, that's not bad. And of course, that assumes there are no other surprises found by the tech...and the speaker/tubes/etc are nice. You could quickly start adding to the price if you start messing with upgrades.

However....we're not talking about a serious step "up" here. A DR is somewhat similar to a Classic 30 in performance. Yes, SF amps are getting more collectable...but this amp is already altered a bit.

My feeling....if you like the tone is much better than the PV, go for it. The SF champ...while a nice to have, won't be used much once you get a DR.

Tim Swartz · April 10th, 2003, 11:13 AM

If the DR is in good playing condition, I'd say swap, in a heartbeat. The DR was made to be serviced and last a lifetime. It will continue to appreciate nicely, you will be able to spin it in a few years for more dough than you have into it. The Classic 30 was made to be disposable, a 10 cent part can cost more labor to repair than what the amp is worth. The Classic 30 will be dead in a few years which will force you to buy an amp and you will wish you'd have done this deal!

EMan · April 10th, 2003, 11:40 AM

I whole-heartedly agree. I have a '72, and it's a great amp..the reverb is just as sweet as can be.

I bought mine for $500 off ebay..and put about another $140 in it for caps, tubes, new tank, etc. It's not the prettiest one around, but the chassis was virgin.

Baard · April 10th, 2003, 02:34 PM

It´s a great amp. I was a bit hesitating to buy the mid 70´s super reverb. But it´s a great amp, at the price of a new HRD. Difference is that when I sold the HRD i got a bit more than 50 % of the new price. If I ever sell the SFSR I´ll probably get more than what I gave for it, and I have had the pleasure of playing a lovely amp as well. You can´t beat a classic.....well maybe you can, but not economically.

Baard

Bluesbob · April 10th, 2003, 03:18 PM

The only thing I don't agree with is parting with the Champ. It is an excellent living room, practice and, especially, recording amp. I have a '73 SFDR which I just re-tubed with NOS RCA 6V6's and re-speakered with a RI Jensen C12N. It sounds awesome in every sense of the word. Playing in a band the SFDR is great, but I wouldn't part with my Champ for anything. I use it every single day, except for gigs or jams. And I'm not the only one who likes them. Look at what they're going for lately. Try to keep the Champ. Just like you might be sorry some day that you passed up the DR, you could also look back on giving up your Champ and want to kick yourself. Sometimes when I think of some of the old Fender stuff I sold or traded for beans I get really mad at myself. Of course, YMMV, as they say.

Lance · April 10th, 2003, 03:29 PM

http://www.ampwares.com/

Click on "coverings" on the left. They even have aged grillcloth to get more authentic.

April 10th, 2003, 08:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
Scott M Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Vincennes, IN Posts: 116	70's sf Deluxe: is it worth it? A local store has this amp. It has just seen a tech for some repair. I have yet to talk to the guy, who is a friend of mine, regarding the overall health of the amp. If he says it is ok, should I go for it? The store is only asking $500 for it. The grill cloth has been replaced with some wierd fabric that looks kinda stupid. I don't know if the "frame" for the grill is the original. The straps on top and handle hardware have been painted black - no big deal. I don't have the cash, but I have a PV classic 30 and a SF champ I could probably swap two for one. I hate to give up 2 for 1, but I have absolutely nothing in the PV. What do you think? -Scott __________________ Scott M

April 10th, 2003, 09:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
Bill Beck Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Chicago, Il. Posts: 366	Without seeing it... I would say, YES! You can always replace the grille frame and cloth. As long as the guts are okay, even if it was a late 70's pull boost version, the price is reasonable. I'd go in around $425 first and see what happens.

April 10th, 2003, 09:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
Lance Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,091	A quick search on Gbase.com.... Says 70's DRs are going for $700 - $900. Assuming it's just the grill cloth, which you can replace for about $30, that's not bad. And of course, that assumes there are no other surprises found by the tech...and the speaker/tubes/etc are nice. You could quickly start adding to the price if you start messing with upgrades. However....we're not talking about a serious step "up" here. A DR is somewhat similar to a Classic 30 in performance. Yes, SF amps are getting more collectable...but this amp is already altered a bit. My feeling....if you like the tone is much better than the PV, go for it. The SF champ...while a nice to have, won't be used much once you get a DR. __________________ Lance "not very good...but I make up for it by playing loud"

April 10th, 2003, 02:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
Baard Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Denmark Posts: 668	Go for SF ! It´s a great amp. I was a bit hesitating to buy the mid 70´s super reverb. But it´s a great amp, at the price of a new HRD. Difference is that when I sold the HRD i got a bit more than 50 % of the new price. If I ever sell the SFSR I´ll probably get more than what I gave for it, and I have had the pleasure of playing a lovely amp as well. You can´t beat a classic.....well maybe you can, but not economically. Baard

April 10th, 2003, 03:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
Bluesbob Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: East Suffolk L.I. Posts: 964 20 Photos	SF Champ The only thing I don't agree with is parting with the Champ. It is an excellent living room, practice and, especially, recording amp. I have a '73 SFDR which I just re-tubed with NOS RCA 6V6's and re-speakered with a RI Jensen C12N. It sounds awesome in every sense of the word. Playing in a band the SFDR is great, but I wouldn't part with my Champ for anything. I use it every single day, except for gigs or jams. And I'm not the only one who likes them. Look at what they're going for lately. Try to keep the Champ. Just like you might be sorry some day that you passed up the DR, you could also look back on giving up your Champ and want to kick yourself. Sometimes when I think of some of the old Fender stuff I sold or traded for beans I get really mad at myself. Of course, YMMV, as they say. __________________ What, me worry?

April 10th, 2003, 11:13 AM	#4 (permalink)
Tim Swartz Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Michigan - Tweenst the Great Lakes Posts: 1,774	If the DR is in good playing condition, I'd say swap, in a heartbeat. The DR was made to be serviced and last a lifetime. It will continue to appreciate nicely, you will be able to spin it in a few years for more dough than you have into it. The Classic 30 was made to be disposable, a 10 cent part can cost more labor to repair than what the amp is worth. The Classic 30 will be dead in a few years which will force you to buy an amp and you will wish you'd have done this deal!

April 10th, 2003, 11:40 AM	#5 (permalink)
EMan Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 939	I whole-heartedly agree. I have a '72, and it's a great amp..the reverb is just as sweet as can be. I bought mine for $500 off ebay..and put about another $140 in it for caps, tubes, new tank, etc. It's not the prettiest one around, but the chassis was virgin.

April 10th, 2003, 03:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
Lance Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,091	Scott....here's a source for grill cloth http://www.ampwares.com/ Click on "coverings" on the left. They even have aged grillcloth to get more authentic. __________________ Lance "not very good...but I make up for it by playing loud"