Is it hopeless?

[nightterrors]

I found a 70's Ampeg VT-22 converted into just a head. I've had a 76' V4 before with the matching cab... sounded great.
he wants $250 O.B.O. for it... but look at the condition it is in... and it's nearly a 6 hour drive for me.

here's what he said in the ad, and some pictures:

"For sale. 1970's Ampeg VT22. Head part only. $250.00 obo (within reason).

I have owned it since 1991. Used to be a combo with 2x 12 speakers but weighed a ton.(roughly 90 lbs). I seperated the head from the speakers and added a piece of wood for the bottom. Not pretty but it worked. Same can be said about the amp as a whole, but what else would you expect from a 40 year old amp. A few cigarette burns and various stains and bumps. Reverb does not work but it is mechanical so should be an easy fix for someone who knows what they are doing.
I still have the original speakers and cabinet for it which I was planning to keep but will sell them too for the right price."









my question really is.. is it worth it? and is there a way I could get new matching tolex and the front grill and Ampeg logo?

[skullservant]

Looks kind of rough dude. You'd want to take it to a tech probably first thing, which is ANOTHER drive after that 6 hour drive...

[MEC]

When you say "6 hours" is that one way or round trip? If it's round trip that's not too terrible.

I'd ask about the caps and tubes before I made the drive. If both need to be replaced, you
are looking at AT LEAST another $400. Then another $100 or so to restore the cosmetics.
In the end you COULD end up spending what you would have spent just getting one in good shape.

If it works and sounds good, I'd just get it and play it as is until it dies. At that point you could
probably still get the $250 you have in it back.

Here is a site that has everything you'd need for a full restoration: http://www.fliptops.net/

[whiskey_face]

i just paid 300$ for one in rougher shape. . . .

god does it sound good. . . .

totally worth it.

[benjuro]

Definitely want to think about what your time is worth...tolex and the badge can be had easily enough, but the real $$$ question is the maintenance record and the cost to get it working properly. MEC is dead nuts on--caps and tubes are the biggest questions to get out of the way before you drive anywhere.
Properly maintained, V4s are reliable and incredible sounding workhorses. If neglected, it'll be a money pit...and they're common enough that you don't need to take that kind of hit.