Grateful Dead Music Forum

I ran across one of these. It sounded very Jerry. It was cosmetically so-so, but was recently serviced by a top repairman and running in top form.
What should these sell for currently?

Don't bother. Too loud. Too heavy. And, you will eventually want an SMS preamp, or other similar design, and a small Mcintosh. This, of course, is only my honest opinion. If it's something you must have, besides pursuing Jerry's best tone, then by all means, go for it. Google similar Twins for sale, and you will get an idea as to the prices. Is it blackface or silver?

Searing75 wrote:Don bother. Too loud. Too heavy. And, you will eventually want an SMS preamp, or other similar design, and a small Mcintosh. This, of course, is only my honest opinion. If it's something you must have, besides pursuing Jerry's best tone, then by all means, go for it. Google similar Twins for sale, and you will get an idea as to the prices. Is it blackface or silver?

Drip-edge sliverface.

Searing75 wrote:Don bother. Too loud. Too heavy. And, you will eventually want an SMS preamp, or other similar design, and a small Mcintosh. This, of course, is only my honest opinion. If it's something you must have, besides pursuing Jerry's best tone, then by all means, go for it. Google similar Twins for sale, and you will get an idea as to the prices. Is it blackface or silver?

I got a great deal on a 67 with JBLs and I feel exactly the way searing mentioned at this point in time.

Ebearius wrote:I ran across one of these. It sounded very Jerry. It was cosmetically so-so, but was recently serviced by a top repairman and running in top form.
What should these sell for currently?

Your perception of the tone is the most important. If you like how it sounds with the volume and tone set like Jerry's, and the price is lower than getting the current best technology (e.g., CTP JG/FYD + Mcintosh/Mosvalve) then you should get it for the following reasons. First, you're getting an actual vintage Twin, the JBL D120's alone are worth several hundred, you just need to plug and play, and even if it is a silverface, there are inexpensive mods you can make on your own to bring it into blackface specs (which will make it sound even better). So what is the price point at which its a "deal"? I'd say <= $800 because you'll need to spend a bit more than that for the alternatives. Keep in mind that vintage will always need repairs from time to time (i.e., Fender Twin, Mcintosh). Let us know what you decide.

MattMan wrote:

Ebearius wrote:I ran across one of these. It sounded very Jerry. It was cosmetically so-so, but was recently serviced by a top repairman and running in top form.
What should these sell for currently?

Your perception of the tone is the most important. If you like how it sounds with the volume and tone set like Jerry's, and the price is lower than getting the current best technology (e.g., CTP JG/FYD + Mcintosh/Mosvalve) then you should get it for the following reasons. First, you're getting an actual vintage Twin, the JBL D120's alone are worth several hundred, you just need to plug and play, and even if it is a silverface, there are inexpensive mods you can make on your own to bring it into blackface specs (which will make it sound even better). So what is the price point at which its a "deal"? I'd say <= $800 because you'll need to spend a bit more than that for the alternatives. Keep in mind that vintage will always need repairs from time to time (i.e., Fender Twin, Mcintosh). Let us know what you decide.

As a drip edge silverface it might actually already be built to the blackface specs. A reasonable amount of 1968 ones had the old circuit inside but new cosmetic treatment on the outside.

Yes. It's a '68. I don't know what the circuit is. The amp, however, was serviced and "tweaked" by Jeff Bakos within the last 24 months. I don't know what exactly was done. The seller was a professional country music player. I get the impression that he's the kind of musician that uses whatever works at the time to get the gig done. Not the same kind of detail oriented gear-head that frequents this forum.

Since it sounded good, was recently serviced, and had JBL's, I bought it for 850. I think that seemed fair all the way around.

It does sound very Jerryish even around 3 on the volume pot. Better balanced at reasonable volumes than my mid 70's master volume Twin. Weighs about as much as my daughter.

I think $850 is a great price considering the JBL's. Those alone can go for $500 or more.

john in san diego

Are you going to gig with it? Are you physically fit and able to lift a somewhat unwieldy 70 pounds and maneuver it as needed? I am, and I still got rid of my twin ('75). It was just too much for me.

flyingheelhook wrote:Are you going to gig with it? Are you physically fit and able to lift a somewhat unwieldy 70 pounds and maneuver it as needed? I am, and I still got rid of my twin ('75). It was just too much for me.

It's is the third Twin I've owned. At this point, I just think this is what amps weigh.
The JBL's do seem a bit heavier. I think this amp is over 80lbs. It's manageable, but far from pleasurable to transport.

Then again, the modern Jerry rig alternative with the separate cab loaded with JBL's, and a rack system with a McIntosh power amp in some sort of protective cabinetry, isn't any less of a schlep.

SMS pre and a MC50 in one SKB rotomolded 4 space shallow rack. 25 lbs or so. One K120 in a single cab. Maybe 25lbs as well. This is my rig. After major back surgery. No problem at all, and plenty loud enough, even for outside gigs!

PurpleTrails wrote:

MattMan wrote:

Ebearius wrote:I ran across one of these. It sounded very Jerry. It was cosmetically so-so, but was recently serviced by a top repairman and running in top form.
What should these sell for currently?

Your perception of the tone is the most important. If you like how it sounds with the volume and tone set like Jerry's, and the price is lower than getting the current best technology (e.g., CTP JG/FYD + Mcintosh/Mosvalve) then you should get it for the following reasons. First, you're getting an actual vintage Twin, the JBL D120's alone are worth several hundred, you just need to plug and play, and even if it is a silverface, there are inexpensive mods you can make on your own to bring it into blackface specs (which will make it sound even better). So what is the price point at which its a "deal"? I'd say <= $800 because you'll need to spend a bit more than that for the alternatives. Keep in mind that vintage will always need repairs from time to time (i.e., Fender Twin, Mcintosh). Let us know what you decide.

As a drip edge silverface it might actually already be built to the blackface specs. A reasonable amount of 1968 ones had the old circuit inside but new cosmetic treatment on the outside.

Upon closer inspection this evening, it is an early '68 with an AB763 circuit. Are there any mods that need to be done?

tone stack Change to .022's.

Searing75 wrote:tone stack Change to .022's.

How can I visually confirm that this has not already been done? I'm wondering if this is the "tweak" that Jeff Bakos had performed.

Wow, sounds like you've won the twin lottery!

FWIW, my twin weighs more than 100 lbs. At least it has casters!