Too many projects!

[glebert]

In the spirit of generating a few more threads to keep the place going...

I've been buying broken gear and fixing and selling it for the past 6 or 7 years. It's a hobby business that I started doing after getting laid off and becoming a stay-at-home dad. I definitely find it easier (and more fun!) to acquire new projects than fix and sell the ones I have, so the amps have piled up pretty high at times. I've been doing a really good job lately of selling off stuff, not buying up projects, etc. but have had a setback lately.

Twice in the past couple of months someone gave me literally a vehicle full of unwanted gear for free. One was a guy clearing out his studio/practice space of stuff he had been hoarding, and one a respected shop that is shutting down and these were amps that had been deemed not worth fixing. The first van full I've done a pretty good job of dispositioning. I told my kids that if they helped some with getting stuff ready for sale they could have all the profits from that haul. So far they've made about $300, with one more amp that may actually sell for over $400 yet to go.

The second car load of amps has been a bit more challenging. There were two Crate Vintage Club amps (which I love) but one has a bad PT and the other may also have a PT problem. They may just get scavenged for parts. There is an Acoustic bass combo that just isn't worth fixing so I'm just selling that off as a cheap bass speaker. There is a Trace Elliot bass head which seems to just need a new power switch, so that is pretty cool. The last amp is a 1974 CMI SG Systems (aka The Oven). I converted it from 8417s to KT88s, and am now trying to get the phase shifter working right.

Because of the influx of new projects it is making me go through and make some hard choices on old projects. There are some that have languished and may end up in the recycling pile. I sold off one project amp on reverb but that feels like admitting defeat publicly. Throwing them in the bin is at least a private failure.

Going to go play with my new ESR meter now. Maybe later I'll rearrange the ways the projects are stored to see if they seem less daunting that way...

Greg

[xtian]

I have also found that gear attracts gear. Trick is not to get yourself buried prematurely. Good job getting the kids involved!

[Mick Bailey]

I've managed to get rid of a pile of consumer electronic equipment that's been lying around for a good while - 70s tape decks, HiFi amps, CD players and Mini Disk players. Ever tried moving one of those on? Most of it not economically worth repairing, more of an interest in saving them from landfill, but they've taken years to find anyone who would want them even for free despite working perfectly. I keep getting offered gear and accept it, despite assuring my wife that 'This is the last one" each time.

The only thing that's really made any serious money is 70s analogue synthesizers, but these are thin on the ground nowadays. I keep looking out for them as they're fairly straightforward to repair, if time consuming, and have a strong resale market. I have a bulky AV amp that's the latest acquisition. In excellent condition and was pretty upmarket in its day, but needs output transistors and my heart isn't in it as it's of practically zero value when fixed. But this is the last one........

[mozz]

Don't part out those crates. I'd be interested in them but shipping to PA might be bad.

[glebert]

Aaannnndddd, I'm going to go buy a project JC-120 in the next couple hours. LOL.

[Axtman]

I too have the same problem with amps (my basement is overflowing with broken stuff). It is hard to sell old gear (especially old, low powered, heavey rack gear). Everybody want the latestest and greatest (cough cough) stuff....unless it is vintage and commands obscene prices.

I have been fixing some stuff at a loss just to hone my skills and keep it out of the landfill and into the hands of musicians.

[The Dude]

Most audio techs I know (including myself) have a house or garage full of projects or even completed projects not yet sold. I'd be curios to know if there are any techs that DO NOT. It kind of seems like part of the job to me.

I'm not so bad at completing projects/repairs, but getting around to selling the stuff is another story. It's such a time consuming PITA to package up and ship something. I just can never seem to get motivated to sell/ship once something is repaired.

[Axtman]

Dude,
For me it is local sales only. The only exception is if the item will fit in one of those USPS Priority Mail boxes.

[Tom Phillips]

I have a dream that someday my shop will be clutter free, parts all organized and easily accessible, all test equipment refurbished to "as new" operation and no project equipment that I only keep because it has nostalgic value. That's the dream but I also have dreams that I can fly (without an airplane) and that I was invited to join the Beatles. We'll see how that works out.

I am making slow progress. Very slow, but progress. One big change was accepting that fact that I could be long dead before I get to everything I have waiting.

I did recently implement a procedure that organizes the customer repair queue and eliminated a pile of amps taking up floor space as they wait their turn.

[The Dude]

I have a dream that someday my shop will be clutter free, parts all organized and easily accessible, all test equipment refurbished to "as new" operation and no project equipment that I only keep because it has nostalgic value. That's the dream but I also have dreams that I can fly (without an airplane) and that I was invited to join the Beatles. We'll see how that works out.....

..

[Chuck H]

but I also have dreams that I can fly ...

A guy walks onto a roof top pub. He isn't sure what he wants. He sees a fellow having a beer and asks "What kind of beer are you having?"
The second guy says "Magic beer." He then downs a big swallow, sets down the mug, jumps off the roof and flys around the building. Then settles back at his seat.
The first guy says "Wow! I'd like to try that." Picks up the mug and takes a swallow. Then he jump off the roof and falls five stories to the ground.
The bartender looks at the second guy and says "You're really a jerk when you're drinking Superman."