Fender Studio Bass chassis only - sell as-is, or restore? (Or scrap?)

[Techineer]

I have a chassis from a Fender Studio Bass, but without any cabinet. It is in working condition, but should be overhauled (new caps, a couple of switches, knobs, etc.) The cost of a full overhaul would be nearly $400. I'm debating about whether to sell it as is, overhaul it and sell it, or junk it.

What do you think?

 

[JKos]

Someone out there would love to have that as a starting point to rejuvenate. Don't junk it.

"Equalization and Harmonic Balance"... Sounds so calming.

- John

 

[pfschim]

I have a Studio Bass amp head in a Mojotone head case. Amp sounds great, pretty much like what you'd expect a 180/200w-ish Fender all tube amp would sound like. It does have the additional EQ section beyond the usual Fender tone stack, and that feature is very handy in shaping the tone of this amp.

If you are handy building a headcase would probably not be a big production. If you're not, you can always buy one of the Mojotone headcases and you'd have a very nice '70's era all tube amp. If you check Reverb, there is a modest but active market for these amps .. either in their original combo form with an EVM EV15L/F driver, or as a stand alone head.

So, I guess the short answer here is that I would keep it and do the electrical refurb work and put it in a headcase.

FWIW, there is a Fender Studio Bass owners thread here on TB, and some members have built their own headcases.

good luck.

 

[slagheap]

I have done two Super Twin ( essentially the identical chassis, ) combo > head conversions using Mojotone cases.
Are you sure it needs a full recap, etc. etc? Who told you that? Can you hook it up & play thru it? They are killer heads for bass.

 

[BogeyBass]

Sounds like a good beginning for a Head Case Version

Definitely dont junk it.
Geez the cost of iron alone these days make it a good buy for someone.
yet alone a actual real fender chassis

If you close to junking it then sell it for a extremely good price then.
or give it to someone that is excited to have it.

I dont see it costing 400 to fix. But i guess labor is what gets yah.
otherwise not even close to that much in parts.
Tubes would be the most. and that aint to bad

but not having the combo part isnt bad at all. it be awesome to have a head version
and a few members here have done it.

 

[Wasnex]

I have a chassis from a Fender Studio Bass, but without any cabinet. It is in working condition, but should be overhauled (new caps, a couple of switches, knobs, etc.) The cost of a full overhaul would be nearly $400. I'm debating about whether to sell it as is, overhaul it and sell it, or junk it.

What do you think?

I see your dilemma, by they time you repair the amp and put it in a head case, you could buy a nice amp in working condition.

But I strongly recommend you don't junk the amp. Give it away or sell it for what you can get. There are plenty of people out there that adopt orphan amps and nurse them back to health. I adopted a Trace Elliot V-Type in non-working condition off Ebay for $190. I spent $230 on parts to get it running. So for $420 I have nice little amp.