Should I buy this Komet 60 or build my own?

[Tonegeek]

Buy:
I have a chance to buy a Komet 60 for $2700. Is this a fair price? The amp looks kind of dingy as in not new, but I am not sure how old it actually is. Also I think it has more of a Marshall shape on the cab cutout for the faceplate instead of the butterfly cutout like the current models. Dont know if this means an older design, or what. The amp also has Tung Sol 5881 outputs and I read that this could mean it was modded by the man himself. The amp sounds fantastic. I played it for 10 minutes starting with all knobs at 12 oclock, volume on 9 oclock and it floored me. advancing the volume, it just got fatter and fatter. It has some the absolute best overdrive tone I ever heard, and that was before I switched to the 'Fast' mode. It is the first amp I could imagine using with no effects.

Build:
If I decided not to buy (as in not enough $$), then I absolutely have to build one of these. I see that some forumites have already paved the way on this one. So, I may need help piecing together the schematic as I don't see one posted here. I have a hand drawn pre-amp schemo, but have no idea about what trannies I should use or the PS, etc. I also question the pre-amp schematic because in the 3rd triode stage it shows over 400 volts on the plate for a common cathode stage. This seems quite high to me as a VaMax on that tube is 300v. Any help is appreciated to get me going. I have plenty of amp building experience (HRM D-clone, etc.)

Maybe I should buy this one AND build one
thanks

[Greg]

I think you should absolutely build it yourself...can you send me that link however? LOL

[M Fowler]

Tonegeek,

There are times when one should buy and when it is feasible to built your own.

You found at K60 that may not look nice anymore but you love the sound. The price tag fits within your budget apparently and you know for sure this amp is a real K60? Then I would buy. There is nothing wrong with spending $2700 for a great amp, I did once.

To build your own, do you have a kit/parts source lined up, custom cab, and layouts/schematics and time. When all done will it sound like the K60 you played? I have about $1100 in mine but many hours of labor.

The third option you noted is the one I liked the best, buy it and build yourself another, not a bad idea. Also, you can always get a custom hardwood cabinet for that K60 for $450.

Mark

[Structo]

Buy it, reverse engineer it, sell it.

[Tonegeek]

Tonegeek,

There are times when one should buy and when it is feasible to built your own.

You found at K60 that may not look nice anymore but you love the sound. The price tag fits within your budget apparently and you know for sure this amp is a real K60? Then I would buy. There is nothing wrong with spending $2700 for a great amp, I did once.

To build your own, do you have a kit/parts source lined up, custom cab, and layouts/schematics and time. When all done will it sound like the K60 you played? I have about $1100 in mine but many hours of labor.

The third option you noted is the one I liked the best, buy it and build yourself another, not a bad idea. Also, you can always get a custom hardwood cabinet for that K60 for $450.

Mark

Well, I am not so sure the price is in my budget, but maybe. A while back I made a pact with myself that when I got into building, I would never buy another commercial amp again. Only the Komet is different. Unfortunately after being beat to hell in my 401K, I have to treat everything as an investment now - it is a damn shame when it comes to music gear. Before this year, I might have bought that amp on the spot without considering its future value for resale purposes. Reality bites sometimes!

I am pretty confident this is the real deal. I think that micrometer looking bias adjuster is the tip off. Not sure whats up with the control cutout, but I am going to look at it again tomorrow and re-assess the situation. I was so taken by the sound that I was not focusing as much on the cosmetics.

Buy it, reverse engineer it, sell it.

I was kind of joking about buying the Komet and building one, but it is actually not a bad idea. Building is a labor of love with me and I hesitate to put a price tag on any of that. I have a good bit invested in my HRM clone and could never recoup what I have in it in terms of labor, but creating amps, music, etc. keeps me sane so its worth every penny. I am sure most of us here can relate to that sentiment. If I had a reliable schematic, I would be more inclined to build the Komet than buy one. I may settle on building an Express if a schematic is not forthcoming. I am actually jonesin pretty hard to build something. About cabinetry: One thing I never have to worry about is a cabinet. I have a good friend who makes fantastic cabs. He has done several for me and they are all of the highest quality. I normally go for tolex covered cabs but the natural finished Komets I have seen look really beautiful so I would be inclined to go with that on this project, I think. I don't play out much anymore so no worries on it getting beat up. My cab guy is the kind of person who would welcome the challenge to build a perfect replica of whatever is presented to him.

[Distortion]

$2,700 is a bit high for a K60.
I have owned four of them and the prices have ranged from $2,200 to $2,500. All of them were in like new condition inside and out.
With the state of our economy I would think you should get a like new one for less than $2,500.

[M Fowler]

Distortion,

When you get done with my cab you can show Tonegeek what he is missing

Mark

[Tonegeek]

I found out this amp was built in 2000. Would that make it more desireable?. It is covered in black, somewhat spongy covering with a dingy cream colored V, stained with coffee. I played it again today with a Strat and even though I prefer Strats I thought it sounded much better with the LP. Just too much high end with the Strat. A 4x12 might take care of that tho. Instead I was playing through an open back Mojo cab with 2x12" Silver series Celestions. Those are becoming some of my favorite cheap speakers, if you can find them. It does have the correct cutout after all - dont know how I missed that the first go round, probably cause I am half blind and more about the tone, than the looks. Still trying to decide if I should buy it. Meanwhile if anyone has the complete schemo, please PM me. I have pieced together most of the differences between this amp and the Express, but am a little hazy on the PS and especially the trannies.
thanks

[Tonegeek]

I decided not to buy the Komet. Still, its a great amp and someone should get it. Here is the store that has it:

http://www.brookstownstringedinstruments.com/

[Distortion]

Probably a wise move.
There is a nice one over on The Gear Page and the seller is asking $2,500.
You could probably get for a bit less if you are still interested.

[Tonegeek]

Probably a wise move.
There is a nice one over on The Gear Page and the seller is asking $2,500.
You could probably get for a bit less if you are still interested.

I will check it out, but I am leaning more to building one after i finish this 18 watter I am already committed to.

[wallybob]

Tone - there's a thread below about a Knofler modded Komet that has 5881 outputs but it sounds like the one you looked at could be older than these amps.

https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.php?t=7665

[Tonegeek]

Tone - there's a thread below about a Knofler modded Komet that has 5881 outputs but it sounds like the one you looked at could be older than these amps.

https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.php?t=7665

I wish i had thought to look at the serial number on it. For some reason the number 81 comes to mind. I dont know if the store owner said that or I read it here. I might just call them later to today and ask about that. BTW - It looks almost exactly like the one for sale on TGP except the V is slightly creamier, but it may just be faded and a bit stained. The previous owner chimed in on that thread and said there are only 2 like it. The mystery deepens - 5881's, rare color...