If you’re learning to play an instrument that requires an amplifier or want to upgrade your current device, you have many options. Sure, you can buy an amp at a music store or even online, but if you want to sound like a legit classic rocker, try visiting your neighborhood thrift stores first. Now, you might think of thrift stores as a place to buy old band t-shirts or retro clothing for a Halloween costume, but there are also some vintage gems among thrift store electronics, including amplifiers, if you’re lucky.
Thrift stores are a great place to browse all sorts of items and potentially find a retro amp for your guitar or instrument of choice. One of the benefits of shopping at a thrift store is that you can find a good deal on a used amp. The cost of a new amplifier can cause you to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a high-end amp, while thrift stores tend to have lower prices on electronics. As with any used musical equipment, be sure to plug it in and test it before purchasing to ensure it is working properly.
What vintage amps you can find
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If you shop at thrift stores, you might get lucky and discover a hidden treasure trove of amps. Whether you’re looking for a vintage Fender, Marshall, or Traynor amp, you may find a cheap one available in your hometown or just a short drive away. Here are some examples where users have found retro amps at great prices.
A Facebook user shared that someone found a Marshall JCM 2000 at Goodwill for $129.99. Marshall no longer makes this amp model, but it is comparable to the DSL40 Combo, a modern amp priced at $749.99. A post on Reddit shared a user saying they found a used Mesa Single Rec for $300. These amps normally sell for around $1,300, so if that’s the case, they got a good deal. Goodwill even posts some of its items online for auction, including this Fender Frontman 15g guitar amplifier for $29.99. Fender has a 10g and 20g version today that costs between $89.99 and $109.99, making it another cheap deal compared to a new amp.
Where to find amps in thrift stores?
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To find a used retro amp for sale, you can shop around town, online, at music stores like Sweetwater with its Used Gear Exchange, and even at clearance stores, an overlooked place to find low-cost tech. Most towns have a thrift store that you can stop by on a weekend to browse the many items available. As mentioned above, people have been able to find vintage amps for a great price at thrift stores, you just have to dig and look a little.
Vintage electronics, such as old amps, are a popular piece of tech that experts say you should buy at thrift stores. For a truly vintage amp, make sure it’s a tube amp. Tube amplifiers are one of the oldest types of amps that use glass bottles to amplify the sound of the guitar or bass connected to them. They are popular among musicians because they produce a warmer, more natural sound than a solid-state or digital amp. Of course, this never guarantees that you’ll actually find what you’re looking for when you walk into a thrift store, but that’s part of the thrill of the hunt.
