vintageHIWATTconvention.com

Hi Folks,

I am new here, however I am the North American Distributor of Fane (guitar line only).

I just wanted to run this by you guys. I have a client who contacted me about brokering the sale of his 73 and 76 Crescendo A speakers. He has no idea what they are worth and almost sold them both for 100 pounds sterling or about $160 (he's in the UK).

I know these are quite rare, so I thought I would bring it to the attention of the experts here. What are these really worth?

I have photos that I can post if anyone wants to see them.

Kind regards,
Darin

I almost bought them.

They are worth approx. 150GBP each, as I told the seller. Shipping to the US was the deal breaker.

Yeah, shipping can be a killer. I don't even want to comment on how much freight cost to ship from the UK to California

I take that the market has softened on everything as I have heard these sell for big money in the UK.

Where did you see them posted for sale?

He contacted me last week.
They are in an extremely cheap cab, that woudl be ideal for shipping, then throwing out. But he is under the impression that it is a "custom" cab.
If he would have shipped them in the cab, I would have bought them.
He wanted more to ship them here than it costs to ship an amp.

Dr.HIWATT wrote:He contacted me last week.

And Dr.Hiwatt brought them to my attention, after he decided to pass (thanks, Doc!). Having heard multiple horror stories about shipping Crescendos, I did not have the intestinal fortitude to pursue them.

Those heavy magnets on those cast frames really need to be completely supported for transport. Sending them screwed to a baffle (as the pictures showed) and filling up the cabinet with bubble wrap or injected foam (assuming the speakers are safely behind plasic) would be the only way I'd recommend. Then, a sheet of 1/4" ply (or better) should be taped to the grill to protect against puncturing the cones. That assembly should then go into a strong cardboard box.

There aren't many sellers patient enough to do a proper job. I'd pay a fair price for vintage Crescendos, but only if guaranteed to arrive at my doorstep in perfect condition.

Dave

P.S. I agree, there's nothing special about that cabinet. It is merely a vessel for safe passage.

Thanks for the info guys. I'll suggest the same thing to him about shipping. Maybe he'll change his mind, but then again maybe not. Too bad that he's being that way as those are some pretty rare speakers.

Darin

I don't he is being difficult as he seemed very nice, but rather he just has no idea.

I got that feeling as well, the he is a nice guy that doesn't know what he has. I suggested to him that shipping can be disastrous, so if someone were to buy them in the US, that he would have to package them up in a bomb proof manner.

Hi, I have followed the "sale" of these speakers over 6 adverts and 3 posting sites, they were actually up for sale on 14/11 for £600 on Gumtree, Craigs list on 14/11 for£400, Preloved 16/11 for £400, and Gumtree 17/11 for £200!!! and now the cabinet only for £50, 2 days ago. The seller also posted on TGP on13/11 and Gearslutz 13/11,for info, so I think he knew what he had but, the problem was setting the right price. I hope that they have gone to a good home.