Fellow DIYers,
I built a nice (I think) F5 a few years back with good quality parts and have since built a different amp (HoneyBadger) which I'm now using in lieu of the F5
I'm completely clueless what it's worth. Yeah, I know it's worth what someone will pay for it, I get that. But whats a fair value?
How much should I ask for the F5 in the Swap meet area?
Runs slightly warm, <50 hrs on her
Thanks, Ron
I built a nice (I think) F5 a few years back with good quality parts and have since built a different amp (HoneyBadger) which I'm now using in lieu of the F5
I'm completely clueless what it's worth. Yeah, I know it's worth what someone will pay for it, I get that. But whats a fair value?
How much should I ask for the F5 in the Swap meet area?
Runs slightly warm, <50 hrs on her
Thanks, Ron
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I don't know about other people but for me I'd calculate roughly $50 per hour (electricians charge anywhere between $50-$100/hr depending where you are) spent on building, and add that on top of the whole build cost for materials (excluding new tools).
Probably add an itemized list of charges if I took extra care in making the build better than other comparable ones such as shielding the transformers (example), a better grounding scheme than the current available models, or maybe even cosmetic improvements like a rare chassis design.
But I think charging per hour could be tricky if its a project build that had spanned over months. Some people could do it within one sitting because they're very skilled and experienced too so it'll be unfair for them to charge less than a several-month old project build, so exercise discretion.
Probably add an itemized list of charges if I took extra care in making the build better than other comparable ones such as shielding the transformers (example), a better grounding scheme than the current available models, or maybe even cosmetic improvements like a rare chassis design.
But I think charging per hour could be tricky if its a project build that had spanned over months. Some people could do it within one sitting because they're very skilled and experienced too so it'll be unfair for them to charge less than a several-month old project build, so exercise discretion.
This is a tough one.
However, I think that charging total parts and material costs and then also including labour at a professional rate is akin to operating a business for profit. To me, that is not in keeping with the spirit of diy and Papa Pass's extremely generous contribution of his time and designs to diyers.
However, I think that charging total parts and material costs and then also including labour at a professional rate is akin to operating a business for profit. To me, that is not in keeping with the spirit of diy and Papa Pass's extremely generous contribution of his time and designs to diyers.
I always had the impression that for diy gear you'd be lucky to get back the amount invested in parts, except for maybe super rare or super neat builds.
I recently bought an F6 in the swap section for $300. It was in an older, repurposed chassis, not a current modushop chassis. It was built well and plays well.
I’m not saying you should charge $300. Just passing on feedback from a current sale.
I’m not saying you should charge $300. Just passing on feedback from a current sale.
- sell it with all componen price + your labour work (set numbers to your hardwork)
- sell it with all componen price only
- sell it with all componen price with discount
your potential buyer might be a capable diy'er or just a reqular guy without soldering skill who wants to get a decent (cheap) good class a amplifier
search for all f5 clone sales in this site and mark their price, then you'll have a clue on your price.
anyway, just put the highest price that you might think reasonable. at least when someone bargain it, you still sell it on a good $$$
- sell it with all componen price only
- sell it with all componen price with discount
your potential buyer might be a capable diy'er or just a reqular guy without soldering skill who wants to get a decent (cheap) good class a amplifier
search for all f5 clone sales in this site and mark their price, then you'll have a clue on your price.
anyway, just put the highest price that you might think reasonable. at least when someone bargain it, you still sell it on a good $$$
"Second"
If I can return cost of parts I am happy, increased knowledge and skill is a payment.
One simple view point.
You can always come down in price, you can't go up.
Price it high, but have a "bottom line" in your mind.
And don't take the first low ball offer.
You can always come down in price, you can't go up.
Price it high, but have a "bottom line" in your mind.
And don't take the first low ball offer.
Good luck with that here. Completed projects generally sell for less than the cost of new parts.
The price of most used PL amplifiers at the distributor in USA, Reno Hifi, averages between $1000 and $1200. At least before the virus. I would think if you can get 1/2 that you would being doing good. Good luck with sale. It appears to be well built with good parts.
DIY products generally don't sell well unless you are very lucky.
Forget about any labour costs.
You might get what you paid for the components if you are lucky.
I sold a similar build for less than 50% of what it cost me in parts.
Forget about any labour costs.
You might get what you paid for the components if you are lucky.
I sold a similar build for less than 50% of what it cost me in parts.
Remember the buyer is getting a DIY amp, not a professional type-approved, regulatory checked, warranty backed unit. They are taking a risk that it is what it is, and there can be no comeback for faults that develop later.
For all these reasons a DIY amp will realistically sell for comparatively fantastic 'value'
For all these reasons a DIY amp will realistically sell for comparatively fantastic 'value'
Try E-Bay or your favourite local selling site.
If you are lucky more than one bidder might push the price up against another.
Remember, you are selling it because you didn't like it.
If you are lucky more than one bidder might push the price up against another.
Remember, you are selling it because you didn't like it.
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What is even worse is resale value. You buy second hand at a good price and in a year or two you can sell for roughly the same price minus the cost of transport. Not so with diy projects whether built by yourself or anyone else.
+1
What also works is reusing the parts or selling the boards to another diyer. After all the bulk of expense goes towards PS, heatsinks and other reusable hardware.
As many of these amps that many of us have built, why sell it at all, especially at less than parts invested. Better economics to repurpose it into another amp.
Chassis/heatsink and power supply are most expensive part and all. Why sell at loss then re buy everything for next build?
Russellc
Chassis/heatsink and power supply are most expensive part and all. Why sell at loss then re buy everything for next build?
Russellc
If you want to get the most back out of it, part it out to multiple people. If you want to do one person an awesome favor - sell it whole.
Au Contrair my British dog lover friend. (we both have springers)
I love the amp and it's presentation of music. It is a fantastic piece of design by Papa. It runs cool (for a Class A) and has never given me a lick of trouble or drifted off it's bias. I've built power hungry speakers.
I've had the pleasure of speaking with Papa on many occasions and indeed is part of the dilemma of selling the amp at all. I did not build it with the intent of selling it as a commercial unit, but I believe it is worth slightly more than the cost of the parts. Slightly. I enjoy building the cases from scratch and each component I've built over the years has a unique case. I'm not knocking those who buy a case, just saying that I enjoy the manual designing and building of the "box". Chassis are EXPENSIVE, whoa.
Papa has given so much to us as a community that it would be immoral to build one with the intent of making a profit. I'm always upset when I see some Ebay'er selling fake Pass Lab boards. It's just wrong to steal.
The F5 collecting dust so it's better off being used by someone who will appreciate Papa's gift and enjoy the clean pristine music the F5 is capable of.
Each one who has offered their advice is valid and appreciated. You can see with so many differing suggestions why I had a hard time coming to the decision of selling the amp. Like you all, I've had those same thoughts.
I Thank each of you for your insight and input.
$500 seems reasonable to me and fair to whomever purchases it.
Thank you all very much.
Ron