Fisher 500C

Cayuga
Cayuga Posts: 480
edited August 2011 in Electronics
I'm going to look at a 500C, the guy wants $300 for it. The question is value, the unit isn't working and has no case or top. I know these go for $400-$600 after rehab, what is the fair price of one in this condition? Any info will help, I'm meeting him at 3:00. Thanks
Post edited by Cayuga on
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited August 2011
    Depends on why it isn't working really. If it just needs some work under the hood, not a big deal. The big deal is the iron, if the power, and more importantly the output transformers are working within spec. On most vintage tube gear, I said *most*, the value is in the original iron.
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • Cayuga
    Cayuga Posts: 480
    edited August 2011
    With out knowing what's wrong, what kind of price should I be thinking? Is $150-$250 a good or fair price?
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 34,205
    edited August 2011
    Russ hit the nail on the head. It's a boat anchor if any of the three transformers is kaupt. Conversely, if it is chock-full of the original Fisher-branded small signal tubes (specifically the Mullard/Telefunken OEM 12AX7s), there's some nontrivial value there, no matter the status of the iron. Output tubes could go either way (old original or US replacement 7591 might be toast or might be splendid at this late date).

    If the cosmetics are pristine and all tubes are present, accounted for, and of good quality, might be worth 300 smackers. FWIW, I'd go more with your gut and sense of the hifi collector world than what a half-dozen 500Cs have gone for on eBAY in the past month or two :-)

    Will the seller guarantee the iron in any way, shape, or form?

    Iffy iron and missing or cheezy 12AX7s would drop the value considerably in my estimation.

    P1020765.jpg
    (this one's a basket case - with meh cosmetics, missing knobs, no output tubes nor 12AX7s, but with a wooden case and good transformers... paid way less than 300 for it, though)
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  • Cayuga
    Cayuga Posts: 480
    edited August 2011
    I decided to get the 500C, its in nice shape and from what i see mostly RCA tubes. mhardy we need to talk about rehab, I got the guy to take $175 so I think it may turn out to be a good deal. I will post pictures tomorrow.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 34,205
    edited August 2011
    Sounds like a reasonable risk/benefit decision to me :-)

    I can certainly help you out with rehab in any of several different ways...
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