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When (in the amp-tech-ing learning curve) is it time to buy one?
How much should I expect to spend?
Are there guidelines for shopping for a used one?
How much should I expect to spend?
Are there guidelines for shopping for a used one?
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If you can afford it and have a basic understanding of analog circuits, it's time. It helps to have a mentor or someone who can steer you in the right direction.
There are plenty of deals to be had in SoCal with all the companies going out of business. You could set your budget anywhere from $100 up and find something that will do the job. Find a place that sells used scopes that will demo what you want to buy. Stay away from anyone who won't give a demo, says they don't know if it works or don't know anything about it.
Then there are the little boxes that connect to your computer via USB. Not a bad way to go but some will be limited in features and capabilities.
Don't forget probes. You'll need at least one X10 or X100 for tube work. And you'll need some type of signal generator.WARNING! Musical Instrument amplifiers contain lethal voltages and can retain them even when unplugged. Refer service to qualified personnel.
REMEMBER: Everybody knows that smokin' ain't allowed in school ! -
Use the serch funtion here. We have discussed buying scopes a few times already.Education is what you're left with after you have forgotten what you have learned.Comment
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The very first O'scope I bought was an old Heathkit scope for $5.00 from an old Ham guy who was "done" with it. it worked fine for most everything except RF.Originally posted by Groover View Post
But a year or so later I found a very cool old rack mount, 500KHz HP scope at a local Ham Radio Swapmeet in 1975-1976 for about $5 but it needed a new 6L6 tube (which was used as a voltage regulator of sorts) and it needed some probes. It also worked fine for everything except RF,
After I learned how to really use the darn things, I gave the Heathkit away and the HP was on my bench for at least 8-10 years until it just started acting way too weird so, I bought a brand 20MHz dual channel scope for like $650.00, ... thinking I deserved it and I was doing a lot of 2-way radio repair at the time so I liked the idea of being able to test those under 15mHz oscillators.
Now, I have three, two 20MHz dual trace scopes but my best one is probably my good old used, 100MHz, dual channel Tektronix 465, ...
bought "calibrated" for $175.00.
Ironically, and to be honest, for all the audio work I do now, the Tek 465 doesn't really work much better then my clunky old single channel. 500KHz, $5 HP gronk....Comment
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Suppose you were looking to buy a new one, strictly for audio work. Where would you look?Comment
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A reputable seller on EbayOriginally posted by otto pärt View Post
oscilloscope, Business Industrial, Computers Networking. Great deals on eBay!
but:
Protek - Test and Measurement
10MHz Single Channel Oscilloscope | GW Instek | GOS-310 (GOS310)
Instek GOS620 20 MHz Triggering Oscilloscope, Instek GOS-602 - Sale Priced Instek on Sale at Test Equipment DepotComment
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Idiot's guideOriginally posted by Groover View Post
Tales From The Tone Lounge: The Idiot's Guide To (analog) Oscilloscopes!
This site is pretty straightforward and has other handy links
http://www.radio-electronics.com/inf...ying_scope.phpLast edited by tubeswell; 04-01-2010, 05:21 PM.Building a better world (one tube amp at a time)
"I have never had to invoke a formula to fight oscillation in a guitar amp."- EnzoComment
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There's a guy in Orange County that occasionally sells refurbished Tektronix 465s. Costs more than your typical E-bay seller (though not always by much), but at least you know your getting a nice piece of equipment.Originally posted by Groover View Post"In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is."
- Yogi BerraComment
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Be careful on Ebay, make sure you buy one that actually has been tested. A lot of scopes on there are listed as 'powers on, but daon't have probes so can't test'.
I bought two on the bay, one was damaged beyond repair and the other was perfect and almost like new(yet was listed as not working).Comment
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That's a real good point. I belong to a Tek scopes group on Yahoo and there's some real horror stories of scopes being destroyed in shipping. CRTs are fragile and the shipper has to know how to properly pack these things. I've bought a couple on e-bay, and several needed repairs. Beware of statements like "removed from working environment"Originally posted by DIY_Guy View Post"In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is."
- Yogi BerraComment
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I got a Tek T922 for $50 to replace the old RCA tube model I used for years,with seperate electronic switch to make it dual trace capable.The 922 has been going strong for almost 10 years now.Its dual trace,15MHz enough for any amp work.I still see some on ebay for $100 and less.Comment
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O'Scope
You can try some soundcard o'scopes to get you familiar with the concepts. Some of them also give you spectrum analyzer capability.
Check out Visual Analyzer at Visual Analyser 2010 NE-XT v2.4
Charles Luke
"clean" distortion musical products
GizmoAudio, the Sawmill distortion overdrive guitar pedalComment
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