What’s a used, well-made Princeton 5F2a clone worth ?

[Mike Eskimo]

Eye-balling another one (prefer not to say maker) but just wonder what folks feel is comfortable to pay for an extremely well-made tweed Princeton clone ?

A known builder who does meticulous work - amp is dead quiet at idle . Board is beautiful with all quality components.

This is a direct clone - cabinet size, pine, 8” speaker. Even comes with a quilted cover.

I have owned 3 original 50’s amps and 3 clones and would never pass a blindfold test so this thing will be fine.

 

[schmee]

$500? If quality stuff...

 

[Wally]

It is worth whatever someone will give for it. What would I give? Less than schmee would, it seems. (;^)
Seriously, though, the builder’s name might make a difference to me. ‘Known builder‘…..well, the builder is not at this time known to anyone here except you, so…the amp is an unknown quantity, imho. One of the few ‘known’ tweed clone/inspired builders who I would hold high in the ranking does not build such a tweed amp. Correction..there builders whose Tweed clones would command respect from me do not build such an amp.
So..unknown amp..unknown value for me. Ymmv.

 

[getbent]

250-300.00 would be my limit.

 

[Mike Eskimo]

Thanks for your replies .

It’s this - a Franklyn.

Unless you’re talking about Victoria or any of the long-established tweed clone makers, I know the value goes down every time they’re sold in almost every single instance.

I guess it’s all perceived value anyways cause I just look at it as - the cheapest real tweed Princeton is probably 2 grand.

Then, again, I guess I have to look at it as how much of a difference is there between a kit built one and this one or a real one?

 

[Rufus]

I don't know anything about that builder but assuming its well built, I'd easily pay $300 or more for that amp.
I do not have the skill to build my own amp.
The parts and labor alone are damn near worth that.
How much is a basic unassembled 5F2a kit from Mojotone?
Hell..people pay close to that for a Chinese built Monoprice or Stage Right

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

A 5F2-A amp is just a great circuit. $4-500 wouldn't buy the parts for the amp in ?, let alone labor costs to assemble. That's the problem with lesser known builders. If you have to resell, you're going to take a bath. The hand wired series from Fender loaded with cheaper components will always bring more $. The Fender name goes a long way...

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

How much is a basic unassembled 5F2a kit from Mojotone, Rufus???

Over $400.

 

[ISmellSmoke]

Gee, tough crowd, .

I just looked at my receipt from Mojotone from 2020. Complete Tweed Princeton kit was around $650 shipped. Add, what - at least couple hundred bucks for a well known, in-demand builder to assemble it .

I know I, as a nobody builder, would never come close to recouping my money on that amp, but surely the going rate for a professionally built model has to be more than $500.

On the other hand, I've never been known for my prudent spending on musical gear...

 

[pmjennin]

The amp retails for $925 on the Franklyn website. No seller would likely accept anything less than $700. Of course, age and condition are major factors.

 

[kLyon]

If it sounds as beautiful as it looks, I'd pay what it's worth: as a musical instrument, intrinsically... I don't care that much what name is on it. $600 to $750 if mint?

 

[Wally]

Okay, so we now know who built it. He is not a kit builder. From what I see, he has a good electronics background and puts out a nice product with Heyboer trannies.
As with anything, condition is a major factor. Unless it is in excellent cosmetic and functional condition, I still don’t get close to paying that new price. I would simply buy a new one from Franklin.
In very good-exc used condition, $500 might be a bargain for it, though.

 

[Mike Eskimo]

I could basically get it for 6. It’s in dead mint condition with one of those retro Fender-like amp covers whose name I always forget.
Thanks everybody for your opinions - esp Wally.

 

[sax4blues]

If you want it you should get it. I can’t remember the last time I was thinking about what I paid for something as I’m playing for many many hours on the gear I love

 

[Wally]

$600 makes it enticing, imho.

 

[screefer]

Sweet little amp.
Wouldja pay 27 cents a day for 6 years?