To buy or not to buy: Selmer TnB 50SV

[phantasmagorovich]

OK, I hate to be that guy, but I need some help deciding if or if not I should go for a certain amp.

A couple of days ago I got the itch to buy a Selmer amp. The reason for this is completely idiotic. And it can be found here: viewtopic.php?f=149&t=33020&start=39

Anyway, I searched eBay for it, and did actually find a Selmer Treble N Bass 50SV, right around the corner from where I work. So today I went and looked at it.

It will need some service in the near future. Volume pots on both channels are scratchy, the guitar channel pot is worse and cuts the signal to a trebley mess if you set it to the wrong position. The pot for the reverb is snapped off and it can only be adjusted with a mini screwdriver. Whatever, I got pedals for reverberation. I estimate it will go for 300€. Well, that's what the dude told me he was looking to get. I could straight up offer him 300 and he might take it.

But, while it was awesome and as good as my Roost, it was not better than the Roost. And not so much different that I would say it is a completely different beast and I should totally get it for the variety. I was expecting a very dirty amp that breaks up easily. It wasn't, maybe this is a characteristic of the older amps, the SV was built from the 70's onward, but allegedly with the same circuit that was used in the earlier models. I could not crank it in the dude's house though, so maybe the breakup is there, but at a very very high level only.

I am a bit at a loss. Both channels bridged make a really nice bassy sound that I liked and that strayed from the Roost. I could use it at home. Or try to stereo up my rig in the band.

(The money could instead be used for sensible stuff like taking care of taxes or for the rest of the pedals on my to get list.)

tl;dr: I tried an amp and liked it, it's a deal but I wasn't blown away. What to do?

[Tristan]

I guess if the seller is right around the corner you could meet up again and bring your Roost amp so you can see what they sound like side by side / together.

[Chankgeez]

Offer him 250€.

[ryan summit]

OK, I hate to be that guy, but I need some help deciding if or if not I should go for a certain amp.

farts
im that guy all the time
that amp looks slick as hell

[Twangasaurus]

I say try to bribe him with pictures of naked manatees. If that doesn't work don't buy the amp and wait for something even cooler/different to what you have. It always comes around.

[univalve]

Selmer track great. It is an old time studio favorite.
At least i often read that.

I personally wouldn't buy vintage stink. I already told you that. It is always a bummer if stuff stops working and you need a good tech guy that the shit stills sounds good after a tech job.

And why are not more comments in the internet that this is a great amp? Probably it isn't that super*...
300 is quite cheap for an old tube amp (head), for a combo even cheaper. That makes me also a bit worried...

* I never ran across one in my life. And i played a shitton of amps.

[Chankgeez]

And why are not more comments in the internet that this is a great amp? Probably it isn't that super*...
300 is quite cheap for an old tube amp (head), for a combo even cheaper. That makes me also a bit worried...

* I never ran across one in my life. And i played a shitton of amps.

TOO MANY AMPS, NOT ENOUGH TIME.

[rustywire]

LOL. My bad, bro.


I haven't played a 50SV but at that price, even with the issues, you're still going to get the original transformers, which are worth the cost of admission, alone. That's where most of the amp's sound comes from, as they all are descendants from the Bassman circuit, recreated with British components & tweaked for a completely different vibe.

I shopped around for months before getting mine...and it's important to note there is distinction between TNB models.

The MK I aka "Bassmaster Fifty" is EL34 powered, GZ34 rectified, and uses 4 ecc83 preamp tubes.
It sounds the *smoothest* and has the most clean headroom.

The MK II is EL34 powered, GZ34 rectified and uses 3 ecc83 preamp tubes.
It sounds the grittiest. Think Interstellar Overdrive.

The MK III and SV IIRC are EL34 powered, silicon rectified and use 4 ecc83 preamp tubes.
They sound the *tightest* ...like comparing a Plexi to a Bluesbreaker or Twin Reverb to a Super.

Reverb can always be added to the chain. Getting the fundamental amp sound/feel you want is much more important.

FWIW:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Selmer-Treble-B ... 19db048bab

^Good price, even if the amp needs an overhaul.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Selmer-treble-n ... 257c862950

^Monitor and compare this to your local one.


I bought mine blind, without playing it. Now it's my #1. Like I said, do your research and bide time until you find the right one.

Chance favors the prepared mind.

[Helter]

Why have I never heard of anyone but Syd Barrett using these then one google search and every awesome dude is in a picture with one

[phantasmagorovich]

I just set the sniper to 250. Let's see if it works out. I will probably be happy if it works and if it doesn't I won't be sad.

I guess I like *tight* sounding amps. In that respect it was a lot like my Roost. It was not in how much bass it could shove and in the way it broke up. The Roost has a Master, so I can can set it to sound gnarly and control the volume. This one just got a hint of rrrr when I dug in with the guitar. I think it might be a *schmoove* amp. This version does not get that overdriven sound, but it sure pushes a lot of air. It had lots of BASS (read: balls) and is probably the best amp for Doom. Haha.

[rustywire]

Why have I never heard of anyone but Syd Barrett using these then one google search and every awesome dude is in a picture with one

Yeah they were very popular in the late 50s/early 60s...even the Beatles played them before getting outfitted with Vox amps in one of the most brilliant marketing moves in the history of gear.
Here's a shot of a very young Paul with a Thunderbird MK II:


The most famous recording of "the Selmer sound" is probably The Animals' "House of The Rising Sun"

The combos are 2-5x more expensive...while the heads can still be had for a bargain.

But just look how cool this is...and yes, that's a magic eye tube in the middle!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tInDhewDAO4[/youtube]