I grew up on and old school system that my father bought used at Audio King near Minneapolis back in the mid nineteen sixties. A Mac amp and preamp, a large Warfdale Speaker, a Gerrard TT and a Sherwood receiver. I cranked Cream, Neil Young and Black Sabath on it when my folks were gone. So about 40 years later my Father offered to give me the Mac separates and I declined because I did not know how to care for a vintage tube set up. I told him to advertise it on Craig's List. He was flooded with replies. A fellow from Wisconsin was one of the first and was willing to make the four hour drive as long as my Dad promised not to sell it before he got there.
The guy arrived and was overjoyed and quite animated about it. When he asked how much, my Dad just gave it to him for free because of his unbridled enthusiasm. He said the fellow got tears in his eyes and that was worth more than money to my Father. I think we both made the right decision.
The guy arrived and was overjoyed and quite animated about it. When he asked how much, my Dad just gave it to him for free because of his unbridled enthusiasm. He said the fellow got tears in his eyes and that was worth more than money to my Father. I think we both made the right decision.
That's how I got my MC240. It was under a pile of rack panels at work and my boss gave it to me when I inquired about buying it. It was his personal amp retired after upgrading to an MC250.
I would tag along to the Mac clinics that Audio King had yearly where Mac factory techs would go over the amps for free. They had oscilloscopes and would do a thorough job. I think that's why I declined my Dad's offer, thinking a more electronic oriented person should get them. These days I might have kept the preamp hoping I could find a decent place to have it tuned up.
My Dad is an interesting guy, 94 and still living on his own with my mother. A Navy captain and Dr. of English who thought a liberal arts education was worth more than money because it allowed one to "drink more fully from the cup of life".
My Dad is an interesting guy, 94 and still living on his own with my mother. A Navy captain and Dr. of English who thought a liberal arts education was worth more than money because it allowed one to "drink more fully from the cup of life".
That reminds my of a similar experience of my own. During my job as hardware developer I visited regularly a laboratory to measure EM-compliance of our products. Over the years we were quite familiar with the people there and on one summer day the lab engineer told me that his son had given up learning the guitar and so he was on the way to bring it to some charity shop. It was in the booty of his car, he presented it so I could have a look at it.
It was in a quite good condition so I asked for a price. But he refused to take money so I have it now for free.
A Japanese Tele-copy besides my Fender Stratocaster.
Meanwhile I am retired, but whenever I do a gig around I invite him to join in and listen to his son's guitar.
He comes regularly from Hannover the 50km to Braunschweig and became a member of my small fan base.
It was in a quite good condition so I asked for a price. But he refused to take money so I have it now for free.
A Japanese Tele-copy besides my Fender Stratocaster.
Meanwhile I am retired, but whenever I do a gig around I invite him to join in and listen to his son's guitar.
He comes regularly from Hannover the 50km to Braunschweig and became a member of my small fan base.
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I was over at a friend's place introducing him to another friend and showing the other friend all of his audio gear.
My friend asks about the gentlemens early McIntosh Mx110.
"Doesn't work" he said in a disgusted tone.
"Tony, why don't you take it, you'll fix it"
So I did, and now it works.
My friend asks about the gentlemens early McIntosh Mx110.
"Doesn't work" he said in a disgusted tone.
"Tony, why don't you take it, you'll fix it"
So I did, and now it works.
I remember those days at the Record shop in Montgomery, Alabama as well. If a tube tested weak they would replace it free. Speaks of our age friend.
"I remember those days at the Record shop in Montgomery, Alabama as well. If a tube tested weak they would replace it free. Speaks of our age friend"
Yep, I'm voting for George McGovern next fall😉
Yep, I'm voting for George McGovern next fall😉
When good and wise men like your dad get to their twilight years, and know either heaven or the abyss is near, the best comes out of them. A great story of your dad's generosity.