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From: anthony.crowl~moe.no
Date: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 12:49:05 +0100
Subject: Amps - vintage schmintage....

This is probably the most dirty, low down, blasphemous question it's
possible to pose on a site like Harp-L, but hear it comes.....

(hold your breath....)

What's the big deal with vintage Fender amps?

Why do 30 years of wear and tear make an amp the apple of many a harpist's
eye? It can't be emulation of (ancient) heroes, because none of those
pioneers of amplified harp back in the 1950's were likely to play on 30
year old amps (in the 50's, 30 year old Fender amps did not exist). It
can't be because of the condition of the amp (obviously 30 years of hard
use will wear out the parts and degrade the materials). It can't be because
production was more precise (tools are better these days). It is
unreasonable to say that an amp has a "better" sound just because it's old
- - "better" is very subjective, and age is no prerequisite for quality. And
why are PCB's apparently so detrimental to tube amps?

I guess that leaves us with snobbery (which drives the prices up to
unrealistic levels), and plain old nostalgia (which doesn't improve on the
quality, but who cares...).

There, I've said what I'm sure many of us mortals would like to say but
have never dared....now I've got to bunker down for the counterattack. But
let's face it, are such things as price, reliability, compactness,
practicality, service/maintenance convenience, really to be ignored,
especially when the only real argument - that the only way to get "that
sound" is through a vintage amp - is absolutely disputable and is so
subjective as not to count as an argument at all?

I'm sure I'll get a lot of angry replies with plenty of complex technical
reasons why oldies are goldies but let's face it, could it just be
love.....?

Regards,
Vibro-Tongue