1 Reply by Scooby

(25 replies, posted in Amplifiers)

Thanks, Polyal.

I'm pleased enough with the result (and how surprisingly easy it was to achieve), although it isn't as good in real life as it appears in these photos; the 'stipple' isn't as pronounced on the repair and it means that the spray paint finish is shinier on there than the surrounding areas especially on the top. Replacing the label in its original position makes it go over this 'boundary' betwixt repair and original and goes a long way to disguising the difference - hence it's going back on!

It's a monster of an amp and I expect I'll be keeping it long term  default/big_smile .

Many thanks for all your help.

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2 Reply by Scooby

(25 replies, posted in Amplifiers)

True to their word, the cheque has arrived. True to my word, I've continued to use them - 4 times in the last month (clearing out my stuff, I sold 2 wee amps, one guitar and a set of alloy wheels... default/roll )

Finally tackled the repair. First thing I noticed, when I dismantled the top trims, was that the knock had actually slightly moved both cabinet top corners; under the 'bump trims', the vinyl had been burst due to the movement, and was partially flaking. A wipe of PVA along the insides of the corners should sort that.

Anyways, forced PVA into the cracks using a blade - so no further de-laminating there. Shaved off any high bits around the bash point, and then filled in the dent using car body filler.

After sanding this down, my planned 'get out' method of disguise was to simply move the top label forward so's it went over the front curved edge and hide it all! However, I thought I'd give it a bash at a proper repair too.

I tackled the finish using the thickest paint I had available - black masonry paint (which is brilliant stuff that I've used on wood and metal, as well as masonry...). Applied thickly and allowed to partially dry so's it thickened up, and then 'stippled' with the near-tips of a paint brush. Did this a couple of times as the 'stipples' flatten a bit as it dries further.

Then over-sprayed the whole top of the case with satin-black aerosol paint.




http://s23.postimg.org/cr1l1trdz/IMG_2334.jpg



http://s16.postimg.org/ucv2v0yb5/IMG_2335.jpg

(Yeah - the label hasn't been restuck yet...)

In reality, it's not quite as good as it looks here, tho' I am more than chuffed overall  default/smile

Cheers, all.

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3 Reply by Scooby

(25 replies, posted in Amplifiers)

Ha ha - you are absolutely right, of course  default/smile .

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4 Reply by Scooby

(25 replies, posted in Amplifiers)

Thanks, gents  default/big_smile

It's a shame that the black vinyl finish that Roland uses isn't available separately, as that would make life a lot easier (apparently it's bonded to the board in manufacture).

If I can find a near match, that's what I'll use after repairing and filling the dent.

Failing that, it's trim as you suggest  default/tongue

Cheers.

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5 Reply by Scooby

(25 replies, posted in Amplifiers)

The lady dealing with the claim came back from her week’s holiday... And, to her credit, has settled for the amount I was asking for.

I had valued the amp as personally now being worth £50 to me, so was asking for the balance of £64. They’ve agreed to that.

I will repair the split and tart up the amp as best I can, and I can live with the resulting blemish considering what it’s effectively cost me.

As long as it doesn’t break down!

Happy with that, and I’ve told them I appreciate the move. And I’ll continue to use them…

Thanks for your input, gents - especially Polyal - it really has helped a lot to keep my head clear that I wasn’t being unreasonable.

Cheers!

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6 Reply by Scooby

(25 replies, posted in Amplifiers)

Cheers, Polyal.

That's not too bad.

It was one of the solutions suggested by the pro instrument repairer too - patch up the crack below and then fit a trim.

Thanks.

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7 Reply by Scooby

(25 replies, posted in Amplifiers)

Hmmm, tasty...  default/tongue

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8 Reply by Scooby

(25 replies, posted in Amplifiers)

Thanks, Polyal.

That does seem to be the best bet. Realistically, probably my only bet.

(Obviously it ain't a "£250 amp";- it can only be compared to the typical £114 asking price for a good 2nd-hand one; that is price they tend to go for - I've been eyeing them up... default/roll )

Yes, it's DIY repairable, provided there is no further damage lurking underneath.

It won't, of course, ever look again like the amp I paid £114 for. (Well, not without spending over £200 on it!)

I reckon £64 is absolutely fair for my time, materials and its permanent loss in value?

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9 Reply by Scooby

(25 replies, posted in Amplifiers)

Hi Polyal.

I have written the courier giving them the two options outlined above, but of course I would welcome your opinion, whatever it is - supportive of my actions or not. Agreeing with my value or not. 

That's why I came on here  default/smile

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10 Reply by Scooby

(25 replies, posted in Amplifiers)

Hi Polyal.

The 'full' value is the £114 I paid plus the £12.23 it cost to courier, which includes the added insurance. So £126.23 in all.

That would be my preferred outcome as I could then go out and obtain the perfect amp I sought in the first place - there's a steady stream of immaculate 80Xs out there! Everything else would be a compromise.

I suspect only 'small claims' will make the courier go the 'full' way, however, so I do find myself looking at compromising.

Its value - to me - is based on the fact that I chose a 'perfect' amp and will no longer have that. The damage is largely cosmetic, but the cabinet de-laminating will require fixing (at higher vols, there is some resonance from the top - whether that's 'normal' or due to the split in the case material, or even to a loose part inside, I don't know). And there's a broken knob. And possible unknown longer-term effects.


http://s7.postimg.org/t3ukgd5uf/IMG_1118.jpg

Anyways, I have replied to the courier, and now await their judgement!

Cheers.

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11 Reply by Scooby

(25 replies, posted in Amplifiers)

Hi James. Thanks for your thoughts.

I've now given the couriers the two options I can accept, since a repair is not cost-effective. One is to compensate me for the full value of the amp and their carriage charge, so that I am not out of pocket to any extent. They can take the amp away and I'll start all over again (this time with a different courier service... default/roll )

The other is as you suggest; I'll live with the amp as it is, and they can compensate me for its loss in value. I have told them that it has a generous £50 value to me, so they should consider £64 compensation as fair (jeepers, I paid for £100 insurance...)

(I have also suggested I could re-sell the amp on eBay provided they guarantee in writing they'll make up the balance of the shortfall. I guess that's one way it will find its 'true' value!)

Obviously it's current 'value' is largely a subjective matter. A 'pro' user would likely not consider a dropped amp at all. Ergo - near £zero.

Then you'll perhaps have guys starting out learning the guitar and are looking for cheap equipment, perhaps it's all they can afford.

I've been clearing out my excess equipment and rationalising everything in my 'music room' (cough) - I've just sold three guitars and one small amp on eBay. I'm going to cut it all down to 2 leccy guitars and one acoustic. And this 80X was to be the amp! I chose it soooo carefully  default/hmm

The lady dealing with my claim is away for a week, so I doubt I'll hear until she's back.

Cheers.

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12 Reply by Scooby

(25 replies, posted in Amplifiers)

Thanks again, Polyal.

Yes, my inclination - for a quick resolution - is to settle for some compensation for its diminution in value.

I think I have enough info now to give them.

If anyone else would like to offer their opinions of what it would be 'worth' to them, that would be great too  default/smile .

Cheers!

(I'll let you know of the outcome.)

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13 Reply by Scooby

(25 replies, posted in Amplifiers)

Hi polyal.

Many thanks for your thoughts.

In many ways I agree with you - I'd carefully chosen an immaculate example as that is what  was after. The only way I can get that now is by starting again.

There's a problem with doing that, tho' - I insured the amp for £100 when it cost me £14 more, and spent a further £13 on having it couriered. If the most they'll give me for it is the insured value £100 (which I suspect it is) then I'm nearly £30 out of pocket to start with. That's quite annoying for something that wasn't my fault...

Repair is not cost effective, so the only recourse I can see now is for me to 'live' with the damage ( and that p*ses me off) and be compensated for it.

From other opinions I've received, it seems clear to me that no 'professional' guitarist would touch an amp that had been dropped - they need as close to 100% reliability as is possible. However, I'm no pro... I think I need to be realistic. This is for home use, for me to have fun with.

As such, I told the couriers that it's new value to me was £50 and that I'd expect them to compensate me for my deep, ongoing grief - maaan,  my blues have never been sooo deep. I asked them, therefore, for £64, which I thought was pretty darned reasonable of me.

But they aren't happy to take my word for its new value - hence asking the opinions of others  default/smile

I know, that for some people, it is effectively worthless - they simply wouldn't have it. Full stop. But I suspect that there are others who'll say "Let me try it out - ok it seems to be working ok - I'll give you £... for it!"

Can anyone tell me what their £... would be?!

Many thanks.

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14 Topic by Scooby

(25 replies, posted in Amplifiers)

Hi everyone.

I've just bought an absolutely immaculate, little-used, Roland Cube 80X amp for £114 - pretty pleased with that. I'd chosen it carefully due to its condition and light use.

Unfortunately, the courier delivering it also had their input; during transit, it was dropped on to it's top front edge leaving a 1" bash around 1/8" deep where it's most visible, and with cracks emanating a few inches from both sides of the impact - so some de-laminating of the cabinet has taken place. And one knob was broken...

The amp appears to be working fine, although there's no way of telling if the impact could lead to future problems - unlikely, tho'?

My dilemma is the courier - they are asking for some way of determining its current, damaged, value so they can work out compensation. I did add further transit insurance to the value of £100, tho' it seems that doesn't necessarily mean they pay it out...

A proper repair is unjustifiable - a new cabinet from Roland costs £180 + VAT! And that's without labour. A professional instrument repairer can patch the damage, but can not make it a perfect match as the Roland's black vinyl finish is part of the cabinet material, and not an add-on cover. So the 'immaculate' amp would no longer be.

The pro repair guy could also recover the whole cabinet, so's it does all match, and I'm waiting for a quote for this job. I suspect it won't be cheap, tho'.

So, I need to try and ascertain what the amp's current value is so I can make a claim. (I know what I think it value is to me, but hey...  default/wink )

I'd really appreciate your opinions, gents and lassies. Say you were in the market for a 2nd-hand Roland Cube 80X, and you had two choices:

The first is an immaculate example, well looked after (home use only) and it's yours for £110.

The second amp is also in very good order, but has been dropped at some point. It has cosmetic damage, a light split in the top cabinet panel, and might possibly have some stored-up problems (the Cube amps are packed with effects processors) although it currently works fine. 

How much would you be prepared to pay for the 2nd amp?! And I'd appreciate your reasoning, too, please!

Many thanks  default/big_smile

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