Timing Is Everthing: Benson Amp on Ebay!

[Ward Wayne]

http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-Benson-all-tube-vibroverb-type-amp-Howard-Roberts_W0QQitemZ7373507510QQcategoryZ10171QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I saw one month ago go for $900 (Model 200 in good condition), then a week
or two later I got one for less than $300 (300 in excellent condition) and
now this one!

I don't know if you ever played one of these but this is my second one and
this best sounding amp I have ever own. I had it repaired in LA and at this
shop the techs usually never come to front to talk to customers. He
repaired a channel on my first Benson 300. He carried the amp to front of
the shop and set it down a said: This is a great frekin' amp; the cleanest
he has ever heard!

The headroom is unbelievable. It is still clean with volume at 7 or 8!

later..

[oasysco]

Ward,

So what does she sound like? What kind of gutiar do you use and what
kind of music do you play or what kind of tone do you go after?

Greg

[Ward Wayne]

I have a Wes L-5 custom and a Yamaha AE1200 I use with this amp but it
sounds good with more acoustic guitar like an Eastman. I just prefer to use
smaller amp with the Eastman for obvious reasons. I am jazz bebop/swing
player. I grew up in the jazz fusion, funky '70s and disco era but that is
not what I am about when I play my instrument! I am not 100% but I would
assume Howard Roberts used them on the Magic Band I and II. These recording
are really good and Howard sounds great!

I think I sound like or rather attempt to sound like Kenny Burrell or Jim
Hall (really dark sound) at times but hopefully I sound like me. This could
change, the next week it could be Tal or Grant.

Another amp to look for is a Ampeg (?) Dolphin. Freddy Rundquist has or had
one and he has told me several times that it is a great amp. I never found
one but maybe you will! Freddy had the first Benson amp I ever played. He
sold it a buddy of mine in AZ and he sent it to me because I knew some one
that could repair them. I got it repair and he almost didn't get it back. I
played it everyday! It was an early model with 12 inch Lansing.

I like tube and ss amps just the same but I was never really a Fender lover.
I had a Twin and Deluxe from the '70 and they were not worth their weight!
Evans Hybrid Custom 300 is a great amp also. I saw one eBay that did not
sell.

"oasysco" <wilder...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1134239972....@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

[tomb...@jhu.edu]

When I was at GIT back in the early 80s they had Bensons in all the
rooms. We played through them for practice and lessons but never gave
them a second thought. I think Ron Benson may have even been working at
GIT at that time. I remember seeing him around a lot.

[Harry Avant]

If you know of anyone looking for a Benson cab with a 15 inch JBL,
especially in the Los Angeles area, let me know.

Harry

[jimbol51]

Do you remember those amps as being on the quiet side in regard to hiss for
example? I remember walking around GIT about 1977 with everybody carrying
archtops. A guy offered me a 64 L5 for $500 which naturally I turned
down........................Jim
<tomb...@jhu.edu> wrote in message
news:1134255516.5...@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...

[tomb...@jhu.edu]

jimbol51 wrote:
> Do you remember those amps as being on the quiet side in regard to hiss for
> example?

I paid no attention at all to amps back then. It was just something to
make your guitar louder. I'm the worst guy to ask.

[Phil]

This is the amp Ron Benson designed in conjunction with Howard Roberts.
HR apparently used the Benson amps right to the end.

Phil

[Ward Wayne]

and another ...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7373838000

"oasysco" <wilder...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1134239972....@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...