Value of home-built kit..

Mike Better · April 11th, 2003, 02:56 AM

I have been offered a 4x10 Allen Old Flame in trade for one of my amps. It was built by this guy himself. What is this worth? What should I be looking for?

Mike

Lance · April 11th, 2003, 07:40 AM

The kit goes for $1300...the assembled amp is $1700. Assuming this guy knew what he was doing, you'd think it would be "worth" somewhere between the two numbers. However, as a non-collectable, I'd offer under the kit price. Say..$900-$1100. He may balk....but I wouldn't offer more than the kit price as it certainly wasn't the Allen company that built it so you would have to question the build quality.

PS....dat's a big amp (4x10)...you sure you want to lug it?

swingin.little.guitarman · April 11th, 2003, 10:08 AM

The workmanship and lead dress have a lot to do with proper operation and value for an assembled kit amp. Ask the owner for a photo or examine the chassis wiring. Does the work look neat and organized? Are all the solder joints bright and smooth? If the wiring looks like a rat's nest and the soldering looks dull and frosty I would pass. If the amp wasn't assembled properly it would be better to buy a kit and assemble it yourself rather than re-building one that was done incorrectly.

April 11th, 2003, 02:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
Mike Better Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 507	Value of home-built kit.. I have been offered a 4x10 Allen Old Flame in trade for one of my amps. It was built by this guy himself. What is this worth? What should I be looking for? Mike

April 11th, 2003, 07:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
Lance Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,086	Tough call.... The kit goes for $1300...the assembled amp is $1700. Assuming this guy knew what he was doing, you'd think it would be "worth" somewhere between the two numbers. However, as a non-collectable, I'd offer under the kit price. Say..$900-$1100. He may balk....but I wouldn't offer more than the kit price as it certainly wasn't the Allen company that built it so you would have to question the build quality. PS....dat's a big amp (4x10)...you sure you want to lug it? __________________ Lance "not very good...but I make up for it by playing loud"

April 11th, 2003, 10:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
swingin.little.guitarman Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 146	Ask for a photo of the chassis wiring. The workmanship and lead dress have a lot to do with proper operation and value for an assembled kit amp. Ask the owner for a photo or examine the chassis wiring. Does the work look neat and organized? Are all the solder joints bright and smooth? If the wiring looks like a rat's nest and the soldering looks dull and frosty I would pass. If the amp wasn't assembled properly it would be better to buy a kit and assemble it yourself rather than re-building one that was done incorrectly.