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MF Discounts 6163 Executive Amplifier

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- Rated: 37 ↑
Jul 2, 2008 11:43 a.m. Ric12string:

I just noticed on Musician's Friend that they have a significantly reduced Gretsch 6163 Executive amplifier in a scratch 'n' dent sale. Looks to be a pretty good price of $2,242 with free shipping, assuming that the amp is in reasonable condition despite any scratches or dents.
- Rated: 22 ↑
Jul 8, 2008 10:23 p.m. donwood:

Ric12string, I'll let you know how scratched up and dented it is. If it's too bad, i'll send it back. If it ain't, I will touch it up and see if the sound is as good as we have been told. Worth a shot anyways, you think ??? Don
- Rated: 37 ↑
Jul 9, 2008 3:02 p.m. Nobody:

Donwood, go, go, go!
- Rated: 49 ↑
Jul 9, 2008 3:11 p.m. otterbean:

Don- You are so bad! You are going to have to buy the Missus something nice for sure.

You are serious, right?

If you don't like it, I can always sell off some of my stuff and buy it from you. Just in case, do you set up monthly payment plans?
- Rated: 22 ↑
Jul 9, 2008 8:23 p.m. donwood:

I'm serious Curtis. A lady from MusicFried called while ago and said everything was a go. I asked her what that meant, I had enuff moolah, they had the amp, what, what!! She said they are shipping tomorrow. You will have to stop by and show me how to use it. Maybe no book with a scratch and dent. Now them 4 chords I know should sound REALLY GOOD. You think ?? Yeah I done sent Anita to Rome. ( like roam around the country awhile, she's up in Eureaka Springs right now.) Will let ya'll know how many dings and nicks when it get's in. Ya got to remember, i am gettin' older. Got to act quick. Don
- Rated: 37 ↑
Jul 10, 2008 12:22 a.m. Ric12string:

Hey Don, I am also quite curious to know the extent of the dents and scratches. I have often seen items like this with MF and never fully known the extent of the problems with them. I suppose that the extent is reflected by the degree of discount. This one had a pretty healthy discount.

By the way, Don, is there any chance that we can see pics and hear some soundclips of it?
- Rated: 49 ↑
Jul 10, 2008 12:57 a.m. otterbean:

I'll pay you a visit for sure. I've been wanting to hear one of those.
- Rated: 22 ↑
Jul 10, 2008 9:59 a.m. donwood:

Ric12, will give report on damage and if Otterbean will show me how to do pic's ( again ) and sound clips, I will. Curtis, will give you a shout when it gets in. You know you can stop by anytime. Don
- Rated: 22 ↑
Jul 14, 2008 11:49 a.m. donwood:

Amp arrived this morning. DISAPPOINTMENT to say the least. Had a very slight flaw where the tolex ( ?? ) makes a 90 degree turn around control panel, no big thing. Missing foot switch that controls reverb and tremelo. Not good.. if the amp was even moved slightly, a high pitched whine came out at a steady level. Too loud for playing. Maybe due to missing foot sw. ( Fender foot sw. no help ). Called MF and got return authorization. In fairness, I have purchased items " scratch and dent " that were not that bad. Case in point being the Fostex recorder I donated to Otterbean for the schools use. Worked just fine.. NICE LOOKING AMP. Don
- Rated: 189 ↑
Jul 14, 2008 12:17 p.m. Proteus:

The whine isn't due to a missing footswitch. I've used that amp with and without footswitch plugged in, and no problem.

Some other electrical issue. I'd offer them lots less for the amp and get it fixed.
- Rated: 22 ↑
Jul 14, 2008 12:41 p.m. donwood:

Thanks for info Pro, I don't know if MF works like that, but I don't really know any amp tech's around here anyway. No hard feelings with MF and certainly not with Gretsch. Jus' one of them things. Don
- Rated: 189 ↑
Jul 14, 2008 12:52 p.m. Proteus:

I just wonder what they'll do with the amp next. It has to be possible to talk to whoever makes that final decision there.
- Rated: 40 ↑
Jul 14, 2008 1:11 p.m. Joel:

I actually ended up being stuck with two of them due to the fact we really couldn't get what we had in them. I've got one at the studio and one at my house. Didn't really want to buy two of them but it was better than taking the loss that I would've had to take to move them. Plus, instead of being out cash I've got a couple of decent sounding amps. The whine your describing is definitely not normal. It could be a problem with the tubes. I'd hate to think that it's something in the circuitry since these are point to point wired, USA made amps. Victoria atleast puts these things together pretty well. My main complain on the amp is the Legacy speaker they stick in that amp. I'm really not a fan of it. At first I thought it was the amp but I've patched other amps I know sound good through the Exec's 15" Legacy and the speaker puts the same sonic signature on those amps as well. $2200 is an OK deal but I'm pretty sure we where doing around $2400.00 on a non scratch and dent. Fender put these somewhat on sale recently and I'm sure we could've probably done a bit better than $2200.00. At this point, I'm a bit gunshy about buying anymore store stock. Great amps but definitely not a high mover...
- Rated: 37 ↑
Jul 14, 2008 2:07 p.m. Nobody:

If I were flush, Joel, I'd certainly give you a call to see what we could work out to replenish some of your cash and make some space.
- Rated: 49 ↑
Jul 14, 2008 2:36 p.m. otterbean:

Drat Don.

Sounds like a problem that can be fixed. I've got a friend who is an amp and guitar tech here in town. He is good. If MF can knock some more off the price, I would bet he could help you out. He doesn't like to work on vintage amps half as much as he likes to build em' new. Any way, I'll send you his e-mail address if you want it.
- Rated: 22 ↑
Jul 14, 2008 4:55 p.m. donwood:

Did a lot of typin' and got Proxied. 12ax7 - V1 may be culprit. Will explain more later when I feel like typin' again. Thanks for the help folks. Don
- Rated: 37 ↑
Jul 14, 2008 7:25 p.m. Bear:

I find that if I click on "reload" when I get proxied and then just be patient, I don't lose what I've typed and it loads into the thread. You may want to give that a shot next time.
- Rated: 37 ↑
Jul 14, 2008 8:05 p.m. Nobody:

What gets me is that a "Scratch 'n Dent" is not the same as "Scratch 'n Screwed." One expects a relatively tolerable surface flaw that does not affect play. An amp that has been fouled up is not a sellable item. I don't get this lack of integrity.

Is it just me, or is this kind of mindset becoming the norm these days? If it's not illegal yet, then it's okay.

No footswitch? It is a unique footswitch. Where is the amp cover? It comes with a very nice, thick, foam-filled amp cover with the name on it. The paperwork? A howl? How satisfied will a customer be with an amp that is unplayable? This is utter stupidity. That is MF for you.

I'm sorry about this donwood.
- Rated: 49 ↑
Jul 14, 2008 8:44 p.m. otterbean:

Agreed- They could of at least send the footswitch and cover to you if they were going to send an amp that was busted.

Glad it is just a tube issue at this point. I think I would call them up and ask them where the missing parts are.
- Rated: 22 ↑
Jul 14, 2008 9:08 p.m. Boyko:

Ditto to what has been said about the missing footswitch and cover. You need a cover to keep that sweet sweet vinyl from getting more scratched.

Hopefully you can either get an amp that does work or compensation that will cover the cost to get it fixed.

Keep us posted, I hope it all works out for you!
- Rated: 189 ↑
Jul 14, 2008 9:19 p.m. Proteus:

My guess is that the first time something comes back to MF, nothing happens. No one checks it for function; certainly no one fixes it. At minimum they check it out to see that it at least comes on, boots up, makes noise, whatever's appropriate.

If it passes that minimal test, and has all its stuff with it, it's sold again.

If it's missing box, parts, manual, and/or shows damage, it becomes "scratch and dent" and is blown out. I'm curious what happens to it internally when it comes back from THAT adventure – when they really have to address the item specifically as an individual product, and not as one unit of a particular SKU.

They can't possibly maintain staff, parts, and expertise to service everything they sell. No one could. I suspect they're back to working with the manufacturer. If a product shows use and damage, I doubt the manufacturer honors a warranty – but there may be the option of paying the manufacturer to repair the item.

In this case, that could be the shop at FMIC, or if it's truly a manufacturing flaw, it might end up back at Victoria.

Figuring THAT out probably means this amp eventually becomes another item on Joe Carducci's to-do list.

But MF and/or FMIC are looking at two shipping charges at LEAST, to get the thing there and back. That's probably 80.00 or so. And neither of them know till it's checked out how much the repair might be.

A manager at MF might do the uncertain math in his head and decide to let the thing go for a ridiculously low price rather than persevere through the whole process.

I'm speculating, of course.
- Rated: 22 ↑
Jul 14, 2008 9:24 p.m. donwood:

I did get the cover. No warranty papers but a two page owners manual. In my conversations with MF this morning it seemed as none of the people I dealt with were too concerned. Thats just the way things are done in the new world. I can dig it. See it all the time. I did ask to speak to a supervisory level person so my feelings on the matter could be made a matter of record. The individual I spoke to really offered nothing except " thanks for venting ". I have 45 days to see if I can " BOND " with this amp. If I am not happy I can return it. Working on the tube issue now. Replacing V.1 seems to have helped. I talked to Curtis and he may swing by with his git to run a sound check. Maybe it will all work out. Would I advise getting a " scratch & dent " Ric12, well .............. Don
- Rated: 189 ↑
Jul 14, 2008 9:31 p.m. Proteus:

I'd get it to an amp tech, bear the cost of having him run through it, and estimate the cost of repair. Also find out what a new footswitch costs.

Then call the supervisor back and ask him for store credit (always easier to get than money back) in an amount that compensates you for the estimate, the estimated work, the footswitch and your time, uncertainty, and aggravation.

Of course be happy, pleasant, and funny in all your interactions, but persistent and determined. If they won't do all that, send it back immediately.

If they issue the store credit, go ahead and get the amp fixed. You'll have all that done within 45 days, and if you're still not happy with it, you can send it back then for a full refund.

Least that's what I'd try.
- Rated: 37 ↑
Jul 14, 2008 9:56 p.m. Nobody:

Absolutely agree on this. The chance to get that amp...properly functioning...oh yes.

I am reminded once again about my purchase of a Blues Deluxe in my Guitar Center here. I told the guy I wanted a new one in the box, out of the back, and NOT the one on the shelf with the big dent in the tweed front. He proceded to straighten me out by helping me understand that all the ones in the back had been pulled from boxes and played but he would try to find a box.

THIRTY minutes.

He emerges with a Fender box and proceeds to unplug the dented floor model amp...which I said I did not want. I refreshed his memory while scratching my head and rubbing my belly. (30 minutes is a long time for an employee to remember such detail, I mean, come on, give him a break) ? He seemed really perplexed by the request.

THIRTY minutes.

He is taping up the box with an amp inside. I get home, open box, find no packing foam whatsoever. No amp cover (clearly bulleted on the display card still on the amp) and no papers.

To Guitar Center, they sold me a new amp. But now try a straight trade by bringing in an amp with no box, no cover, and no papers. They will tell you that you have brought in a used amp. In fact, it could possibly be less used than the new one they're selling you.

Another time I asked the manager about one of the Ibanez Artcores which had a pretty nasty scratch on back of the headstock (natural wood showing through the black)

"What kind of deal can you work on this thing with the damage?"

"That's nothing," he says. "That's just from people playing it. It's still a new guitar."

A new guitar at Guitar Center.
- Rated: 4 ↑
Jul 15, 2008 6:49 a.m. ruger9:

If the amp had a couple of 10's or even a 1x12, It'd be on "my list." Because a reverb + trem all-tube 20W Victoria combo has GOT to be righteous. I'm just not turned on by 15" speakers.

And the DESIGN of those is certainly rockin' as well.