'83 2204 Value?

[rastaman]

I found this guy that has an '83 Marshall 2204 veritical input head. It's in VERY rough shape cosmetically. All the knobs are in tact, although the bass control just spins around and around. There is a name spray painted in white paint on the top of the headbox in the tolex. There are several tolex rips. The chassis faceplates front and back look pretty good, so does the grillcloth and Marshall logo. The sound of this thing is pretty damn amazing, it smokes! I really didn't want to like the sound after seeing it, but it sounds like god. The guy wants $1200 firm, what say you all?

[HeeHaw]

My bandmate picked up a white 2203 with new tubes just last year for $375 locally. I'd tell the seller to get bent as there are far better deals to be had if you are willing to look around. There is nothing magical or special about the 2204 or 2203. They are nothing more than workhorse platforms.

[rastaman]

Originally Posted by HeeHaw

There is nothing magical or special about the 2204 or 2203.

Thanks for answering my question but to each his own, the 2204 dirty is the sound I want coming from behind me...... I have a 4010 that sounds like god, evertime I've gigged or rehearsed with it I have had a huge grin on my face the whole time.

[Franktone]

I have always liked the sound of these amps. If this one knocks you out, it just might be worth it.

[tennisplayer]

Bought my 77JMP last month for $899. A little cosmetically beat up....but, the tone, the tone.....

[rog951]

HeeHaw's bandmate's $375 deal is definitely not the norm these days, but $1200 does seem a little steep for a 2204 in the condition you describe. I see them go around a grand or less fairly often in great shape. That said, if it sounds that good to you, then it's worth whatever you're willing to pay.

The bass pot scares me more than the cosmetic stuff, but I believe the vertical input models should still have panel-mounted pots which are much easier to replace than the later PCB-mounted ones.

My 2204 is a later horizontal input model, but it sounds pretty amazing IMO. I bought it for $725 two years ago with no issues other than the wear you'd expect from 20 years of use. I studied the price trends back then and that was better-than-average for the time, and prices continued to go up afterwards. I stopped paying close attention over the last year so I've lost track a bit and not sure what the recent economic downturn has done to the prices on these models. If it were me, I'd probably hold out for a better deal, but I haven't heard the amp either! Good luck!

[walterw]

Originally Posted by rog951

The bass pot scares me more than the cosmetic stuff, but I believe the vertical input models should still have panel-mounted pots which are much easier to replace than the later PCB-mounted ones.

yeah, the vertical-input versions have flying leads to all the pots, sockets and jacks, so they're easy to work on.

[Big White Tele]

I had a 4010 as well, and i miss it. Ive been looking for a good 2204, and have seen them average in shops between 800.00-1000.00. Seem to be higher priced on Ebay and on some forums.

[Jube2550]

That sounds a bit high to me but not for a JCM era junkie I guess, which I might be as well, love the 50 watters.