Guild Masteramps 53' and 55'

[Dylan McGee Jones]

I have a lead on two well kept Masteramps from 53' and 55'. I have done some research and know that many times these amps were pieced together using Hi-Fi RCA parts, no transformers, and generally have issues with burned out capacitors and wiring issues. Wondering if anybody can tell by the images attached what the estimated price should be of each assuming they function properly, and if they are more museum pieces or amps worthy of the home studio. I do want to get one, but there are a few from the 50's up on Reverb now asking for $1200-$1400, which based on some threads here on LTG, is way to high. Thoughts! Thanks in advance!!

Dylan

 

[walrus]

I don't know much about amps, but those are way cool!

walrus

 

[AcornHouse]

Any amp from the early 50s will need work; especially the capacitors, which leak and go bad over time. Both of these will need to be gone over to become functional. They do not have the market value that Fender tweed amps have to make it worthwhile to keep all original (but non-functional) as collector pieces.
And, yes, Guild made do with what they could get for parts. On my Masteramp, the jacks are pretty much homemade. And because of this, schematics are a problem, since they seem to change depending on what stuff they had on hand. There a a couple of models that did not have a power transformer, taking the voltage direct from the wall, but the majority do have both transformers.
As far as value, they are not big on the collector scene, with only us grazy Guilders wanting them, so prices are not comparable to Fenders. Anything over $6-800 for serviced amps is too much, IMHO. These should be in the $400-600 range, since they both need work.

@Default should be able to add more insight.

 

[Default]

I have examples of both, and I worked on Vermonter's amp. I still have to post a thread on that.
Basically, all the caps will leak and need to be replaced. A lot of the resistors will have drifted. The circuits will vary greatly from amp to amp, and there are only scraps of information. The RCA speakers are very shallow and there are clearance issues with other 12" speakers. I believe I put about a hundred dollars worth of parts int Vermonter's, but the labor would be not feasible. I would suspect that most techs would not take on a restoration.
Will post more later, if I get home at a decent hour.

 

[Default]

Oh yeah, you'll need an isolation transformer and three prong plug added before you even plug in.

 

[AcornHouse]

Oh yeah, you'll need an isolation transformer and three prong plug added before you even plug in.

Maybe. Remember my ‘54 (like that ‘55), has both transformers. Until you get a close look behind the chassis, you can’t be sure.

 

[Default]

Yes, that's correct, the earliest ones do have an actual transformer. Derp.

The later one, you might be able to squeeze a normal 12" speaker into it... That needs a trans.

 

[AcornHouse]

...
The later one, you might be able to squeeze a normal 12" speaker into it... That needs a trans.

Careful. Please find out how they identify and wish to be addressed as.

 

[Default]

Former. Transformer!

 

[Dylan McGee Jones]

Any amp from the early 50s will need work; especially the capacitors, which leak and go bad over time. Both of these will need to be gone over to become functional. They do not have the market value that Fender tweed amps have to make it worthwhile to keep all original (but non-functional) as collector pieces.
And, yes, Guild made do with what they could get for parts. On my Masteramp, the jacks are pretty much homemade. And because of this, schematics are a problem, since they seem to change depending on what stuff they had on hand. There a a couple of models that did not have a power transformer, taking the voltage direct from the wall, but the majority do have both transformers.
As far as value, they are not big on the collector scene, with only us grazy Guilders wanting them, so prices are not comparable to Fenders. Anything over $6-800 for serviced amps is too much, IMHO. These should be in the $400-600 range, since they both need work.

@Default should be able to add more insight.

This is helpful, thank you for chiming in on the thread. I watched your Masteramp video and i though it sounded great and looked cool, so i am strongly considering purchasing one of these. Thanks lol! I know you had your amp serviced as well, so how much did you end up sinking into the whole thing and do you think it was worth it? I realize i am not shopping for a museum piece, nor do i want one, so modifying things to make it work properly is not a big deal.

Cheers!

 

[Dylan McGee Jones]

I have examples of both, and I worked on Vermonter's amp. I still have to post a thread on that.
Basically, all the caps will leak and need to be replaced. A lot of the resistors will have drifted. The circuits will vary greatly from amp to amp, and there are only scraps of information. The RCA speakers are very shallow and there are clearance issues with other 12" speakers. I believe I put about a hundred dollars worth of parts int Vermonter's, but the labor would be not feasible. I would suspect that most techs would not take on a restoration.
Will post more later, if I get home at a decent hour.

The guy who is selling these is from Vermont, so is this the Vermonter you referenced? He seems nice on the phone, has collected many guitars and amps from various brands, but im not sure if he will be able to wrap his mind around the idea that these aren't worth nearly as much as the competitors of the era. His tech is going over the amps this week and he will be getting back to me, hopefully i will have a clearer picture of the situation then.

So based on the thread above - the 53' has a transformer, the 55' doesn't, the speakers are underpowered and need to be replaced with a 12' that will barely fit (if at all), and a three prong plug will have to be installed before i turn on the amp otherwise what will happen exactly? Will i get shocked or will the amp burn what's left of the tubes/caps/resistors? This sounds like a nightmare, but it also sounds like something that has to be done in order to own and use a 50's era Guild amp unfortunately.

Thank you!

 

[Default]

Vermonter's amp has most of the caps replaced and an isolation transformer bolted to the cabinet, so, no, these aren't his. The circuitboard is also different.