What could have caused this damage to an amp? (pictures)

So, I purchased this amp online from a guitar shop. I notice a line inside the amp, and I'm wondering what could have caused the damage. Is this flood damage? Could it be anything else?

Thanks!

http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae177/jeseller/Silvertone%201484/IMG_0760.jpg

Yup, that's a big ol' water stain.

Look at the bright side... the high water mark didn't touch the speakers.

Did the chassis get flooded?

Silvertone 1484? If so, I probably wouldn't worry about it as the cab is made out of the flimsiest particle board you'll see and would be pretty well warped by extensive moisture. My guess it was a spill.

-DJ

Looks like 'amp living in flooded basement' to me- I once had a BF Pro Reverb that was in the same condition when I got it...

Cat! :mrgreen:

Flood...

Thanks, guys. So, the owner of the shop is saying this: "if there indeed was water sitting in the amp for any time, the cloth would certainly be dis-colored or damaged. The outside covering would also show signs of water (not wear marks, that is natural wear).
A stain line or stain inside the baffle could be mildew, or moisture from being in a basement etc.....but it doesnt mean it was in a flood."

Is he correct?

Swimming pool?

Swimming pool?

Hahaha, WHAT?! :lol:

Flood.

Thanks, guys. So, the owner of the shop is saying this: "if there indeed was water sitting in the amp for any time, the cloth would certainly be dis-colored or damaged. The outside covering would also show signs of water (not wear marks, that is natural wear).
A stain line or stain inside the baffle could be mildew, or moisture from being in a basement etc.....but it doesnt mean it was in a flood."

Is he correct?

Yes, he is correct about the outside covering, etc. And as people have said, those amps were made of very cheap particle board which would show obvious signs of being water soaked (it would swell up badly at the very least).

But the speaker baffle definately looks to have been flooded. I am a carpenter by trade, and have seen quite a few flood-damaged basements and that sure looks like flood damage to me. Stains from mildew or high humidity would definately not look like that.

Also notice that the staining is only on the speaker baffle, no stains on the rest of the cabinet.

So, my conclusion would be that the front speaker baffle is not original to the amp, and was replaced at some point with one salvaged from a flood-damaged amp.

Maybe the original baffle got broken, or maybe the amp originally had the 6 10's set up and the owner wanted to change to the 2 12's.

That baffle is particle board too it appears. If it was submerged it would also be damaged as Curt above describes. That stuff wicks up moisture like nobody's business. It's is an odd line, with some "dribble" stains to the right and destict up curl on the left. I'd put money on this not being flood damage. What did cause it? Can't fathom a guess... but it's a good mystery that will fuel wild speculation.

It's not on the sides. Coulda been that way from the git go! Why waste a piece of material that's just stained? That's what it looks like to me.

Cat! :mrgreen:

BIG cat :mrgreen:

greetings,, i would worry more about the head of the amp as it was stored inside that space just below the speakers. that is what those two plastic clips are for. they hold the head inside for easy transport. was the head in there when you aquired it?

Hey guys, thanks for all of your input! Great to get so many responses so quickly!

I set a similar material on a freshly cleaned carpet once, before it had had time to dry. It sucked it up like a sponge.

The more I look at it, the more I'm convinced it was built with a piece of slightly water damaged material. The sides show no water damage, those two pine blocks don't either, nor does the bottom. When you're building "economy" stuff, you won't waste a piece of material that's just stained. You use it, and save the money!

That is not flood or submersion damage. If so, the cabinet would be in much worse shape. My guess would be stored in a basement or other damp place that had not standing water, but high moisture levels coming through the floor. I do not think this appears to have really damaged the cabinet, but it would cut some from the value. You could paint the inside with a water stain primer if you want it to look better.

Thanks, guys. So, the owner of the shop is saying this: "if there indeed was water sitting in the amp for any time, the cloth would certainly be dis-colored or damaged. The outside covering would also show signs of water (not wear marks, that is natural wear).
A stain line or stain inside the baffle could be mildew, or moisture from being in a basement etc.....but it doesnt mean it was in a flood."

Is he correct?

It has absorbed moisture up to the stain line.
Doesn't really matter how, just how long.

I worked on a 1482 once someone had put a speaker with a HUGE magnet in. The pasteboard baffle got wet somehow, warped beyond salvaging and pulled the bolts holding the speaker in right through.

I always thought a good cottage business would be making replacement cabs for silvertones. Nice amps, but the cabs just don't age all that well.

I gotta agree with SamC.

It's doesn't look that bad.

Enjoy your new amp.

DW

That is not flood or submersion damage. If so, the cabinet would be in much worse shape. My guess would be stored in a basement or other damp place that had not standing water, but high moisture levels coming through the floor. I do not think this appears to have really damaged the cabinet, but it would cut some from the value. You could paint the inside with a water stain primer if you want it to look better.

Thanks, Sam.

You should install a paper in oil death cap, though. And a two prong power cord, just to be sure.

tone is in the death cap

:-)
CBG

I always thought a good cottage business would be making replacement cabs for silvertones. Nice amps, but the cabs just don't age all that well.

So does this guy: http://www.rockometeramp.com/

I've been thinking about getting one for my 1482 but then I think of my barn full of woodworking tools and tell myself to stop being lazy. :roll:

Or the baffle was stained when the original amp was built, you know the last pice of material at the b ottom of the pile on a Friday afternoon and the guy who built it said what the heck it'll be inside the cab and nobody will ever see it.

Gary

... catfish

I'm going to make a guess that it's from condensation.

If it was left in a cold room or shed during cold damp weather you might get condensation on the speaker frames which could run down onto the baffle board.

Maybe, but it looks like the moisture migrated up to me.

So does this guy: http://www.rockometeramp.com/

I've been thinking about getting one for my 1482 but then I think of my barn full of woodworking tools and tell myself to stop being lazy. :roll:

that old hide glue machine is way cool. neato. thanks for the link. i dig some of the old tv style cabs. cool stuff.
chris.