Tubes

[REAL GAIN]

I've noticed some crazy things happening with tubes lately. If for example, you stumbled onto a huge quantity of NOS tubes, what would be the best avenue to get rid of them. I know everyone wants a good deal. If someone wants a fair price, and the guitar amp guy is happy, it's a win win situation. You see guys getting top dollar if they use a Hickok tube tester to test their tubes. We all know it's really hard to tell without having tubes in a live circuit. I think it's a good debate. Hopefully this category is appropriate for this discussion. Thanks, William

[Chuck H]

Well...That's not a really specific question. If you just want to sell them for top dollar, find a tester and test them. Then stick them in a circuit and test for current draw at idle and "match" them. If you can say that the tube tester was "recently callibrated" that will get you a couple more $$$. This is the typical criteria. And if you were buying tubes, Would you sooner buy them based on the above criteria or would you want to buy them from a guy who said "I actually plugged these into a guitar amp and they sound great to me."

I think the typical selling criteria is lacking too. I would like to see tubes matched in operation rather than at idle. And I would like to know the mechanical vibration/ microphonic issues with any tubes. Some NOS stores will sell you guaranteed non microphonic tubes for a premium. So if you intend to sell tubes that you find. The best you can do is find out what kind of testing criteria you can meet and price tubes sold under similar circumstances. Then sell your tubes for those prices.

If you want to USE the tubes you are buying IMHO your better off buying tested tubes than untested "pulls" or even untested NOS. Back in the day there was still a generous amount of returns and flawed or failed new tubes even from the famous brands. Anyone selling a "box" or "lot" of untested NOS tubes probably knows he can get a better price for them by plugging them into a tester. So why is he selling a box of tubes described only as NOS Sylvania/ RCA/ Mullard etc. Probably because these are the rejects from a tested batch of tubes. But he can still sell them based on their NOS and brand name stature.

If your going to spend the money on good tubes you should spend a little more to be sure you are getting what you pay for. In fact you have to just to be sure your not throwing your money away. Unfortunately mechanical noise/ microphonics are not on every sellers agenda. But you can always ask. Contact the seller and see about a return policy for tubes that won't operate properly in a circuit such as they were intended. I mean, after all, if the product being sold won't work for it's intended purpose then why shouldn't it be returnable? If they won't go along with that, do not buy from them. They are either unreasonable or they already know something you don't about those tubes.

Chuck

[Steve Conner]

It's a question that I've been thinking about quite a lot. I recently got 7 GEC KT88s that were pulled from scrapped lab equipment at a university. All 7 work fine, they seem very little used, and I can make a reasonably matched quad from them.

The question is whether to keep them or sell them. I like money, but I like tubes too. I currently have two in my guitar amp and the other 5 on the mantelpiece

[REAL GAIN]

Go with the best reputation

I guess all we can do is go to the best source Antique Electronics Supply, etc. Sell our tubes to those companies for pennys on the dollar. Keep the best for our own projects, and buy from those same places. It seems like selling tubes on ebay, classifieds, wherever is only limited to the quality testing you can provide. You would also want to replace a bad tube if the buyer was unhappy. I've seen some top of the line tube testers, it would be hard to justify the expense unless you had a huge amount of tubes to sell.

[Chuck H]

I used to hunt salvaged tubes at an electronocs store that just pulled them and then pitched them all into a few cardboard boxes. The boxes were designated for tube number range but you still had to go through ALOT of tubes to find what you could use in a guitar amp. They had a tester next to the boxes so guys could test the tubes they selected. Then you'd take them to the counter and pay anywhere from $1.00 to $3.00 each for them. I did find some smokin deals this way. But it was alot of work too. Point is, if you just have a few or a dozen tubes to sell, maybe you could find a tester you can use. I was in good with the guys at that old shop. They wouldn't have blinked if made such a request.

Chuck

[Steve A.]

I've been very happy buying tested old stock tubes that have been used. The tester gives some indication of how much life is left in them and usually guarantees them for 30 - 60 days so that you can test them out in your own equipment.

In fact I spent my entire George Bush tax rebate in 2001 on $300 worth of tested UOS (used old stock) tubes including about a dozen Telefunken and Mullard 12AX7's... I'm still using some of those tubes as my "Holy Grail" standard for different amps and amp builds- just to see how good they might sound with killer tubes. Then I'll check my current production tubes to see if I can find something that comes somewhere close...

I would imagine that there are still used tube sellers around (besides AES) but have no idea where...

Steve Ahola

[rockon1]

Test them to the best of your ability. Give an accurate description and list them on Ebaywith no starting bid. Let the market set the price. Bob

[PRNDL]

If for example, you stumbled onto a huge quantity of NOS tubes, what would be the best avenue to get rid of them.

It depends on price:
- lowest price & easiest would be to sell them bulk to a retailer. You usually send a list of tubes first.
- mid price would be eBay, either single or in lots, untested or tested on a simple tester
- high price would involve extensive testing, including what you mentioned (Hikock, in circuit)

It is possible to do a mix of all three, since only certain tubes would be worthwhile to test. If they are used tubes you are selling, a simple tube tester is critical because some batches have a lot of bad or broken tubes. The retailer usually tests all tubes and deducts the bad ones from your payment.

It may be worthwhile to make a list of high priced tubes (or those used in guitar amps) and remove them. Some buy huge lots of tubes knowing that a few choice tubes can make the entire purchase worthwhile. They usually check to make certain someone hasn't already taken them.