Tube Time!

chuckamok63 · December 4th, 2008, 12:21 AM

Who's your favorite tube vendor? New and OS. I know I'm opening a can 'o' worms here but I need a good vendor. Thanks in advance.

6942 · December 4th, 2008, 09:31 AM

I've used Tube Depot for new tubes, and KCA for NOS tubes.
Both vendors are very good IMO.

Steve

teleamp · December 4th, 2008, 09:42 AM

Do you have any old TV or radio shops around, those places are gold mines. Nothing against the online tube vendors, but they charge premium prices for what are supposed to be "maintenance" items.

If your going to buy JJ's, Eurotubes is a major importer for them and he screens them well.

Places like tubesandmore don't screen them and sell them at a lower price and leave the screening to the customer.

stxrus · December 4th, 2008, 09:57 AM

Bob at Euro Tubes gets 3 thumbs up from me. nice and knowledgeable dude

steve

marshman · December 4th, 2008, 10:01 AM

If memory serves, Eurotubes is a JJ only operation. Neither here nor there, but just a point. Antique Electronices (tubesandmoredotcom) sells a broader line of tubes, but as noted, charge for matching and don't screen. I tend to use AES mainly because I usually need other bits at the same time, and they sell most anything you could need.

All the tube/radio repair guys around here cleaned out their tubes long ago, but it never hurts to ask. If you're not careful, you'll end up like some of us with a couple thousand useless (to you) tubes in boxes in the basement...

There are deals to be had, if you're careful and patient, on ebay.

chuckamok63 · December 4th, 2008, 07:38 PM

There used to be a ton of old man TV Radio fix it shops, but they've all retired or died. The last one I found was bought by a bunch of opportunistic buttheads who charge double what the net does. I had a box of tubes and offered money to use their tester or pay them to test them for me but they insisted on "seeing what I had" before they'd let me into the shop.

My need is to find vendors who test their tubes before selling them. Too many risks on Fleabay.

PraiseCaster · December 4th, 2008, 08:51 PM

New: The Tube Store or Tube Depot are good outfits. Good prices, and good customer service.

I had a power tube die just one day before the warranty return date expired. My amp guy calls em up (The Tube Depot), tells em there's no way we can get it back to them on time, and they said, no problem, we'll send you a new matched set, send both of em back too us!

I'll bet it would be the same way with the Tube Store as well (you just get that sense in dealing with them.

NOS: Couldnt tell ya, cause there just too pricey for me anywhere you go.

Scott S · December 5th, 2008, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marshman

All the tube/radio repair guys around here cleaned out their tubes long ago, but it never hurts to ask. If you're not careful, you'll end up like some of us with a couple thousand useless (to you) tubes in boxes in the basement...

At least I'm not the only one.

- Scott

marshman · December 5th, 2008, 01:05 PM

Hey, Scott, I'll send you some if you want (insert smirkey, wise-a$$ face thingy here)...

brownshoe · December 5th, 2008, 02:32 PM

I ordered two JJ 12ax7's and two JJ 6v6's from Tube Depot this morning and specified Fedex overnight shipping. 13 minutes after placing the order, I got another email saying the order was shipped! I don't how that's possible, but that's what happened.

Ben Harmless · December 5th, 2008, 04:05 PM

If you're into JJs, I'll also give a thumbs up to Bob at Eurotubes. Fantastic service.

In doing my first (and still only) amp build, I ordered some tubes from Antique Electronics along with a few bits and pieces for the amp. Very prompt and 100% correct service on each of the three total orders I've made from them.

Guitar_Ninja · December 5th, 2008, 05:54 PM

Tube Depot.

Doug Ferguson · December 6th, 2008, 04:43 PM

I've had good experiences with Doug's Tubes and Tube Depot.

December 4th, 2008, 12:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
chuckamok63 TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Chicago Il Age: 45 Posts: 92	Tube Time! Who's your favorite tube vendor? New and OS. I know I'm opening a can 'o' worms here but I need a good vendor. Thanks in advance.

December 4th, 2008, 10:01 AM	#5 (permalink)
marshman Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SE PA Posts: 982	If memory serves, Eurotubes is a JJ only operation. Neither here nor there, but just a point. Antique Electronices (tubesandmoredotcom) sells a broader line of tubes, but as noted, charge for matching and don't screen. I tend to use AES mainly because I usually need other bits at the same time, and they sell most anything you could need. All the tube/radio repair guys around here cleaned out their tubes long ago, but it never hurts to ask. If you're not careful, you'll end up like some of us with a couple thousand useless (to you) tubes in boxes in the basement... There are deals to be had, if you're careful and patient, on ebay. __________________ 42

December 4th, 2008, 08:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
PraiseCaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Whittier, California Posts: 4,428 16 Photos	New: The Tube Store or Tube Depot are good outfits. Good prices, and good customer service. I had a power tube die just one day before the warranty return date expired. My amp guy calls em up (The Tube Depot), tells em there's no way we can get it back to them on time, and they said, no problem, we'll send you a new matched set, send both of em back too us! I'll bet it would be the same way with the Tube Store as well (you just get that sense in dealing with them. NOS: Couldnt tell ya, cause there just too pricey for me anywhere you go. __________________ Later! PraiseCaster Visit Guitarists Praise and Worship Forum!! Dance Like David, MySpace

December 5th, 2008, 01:05 PM	#9 (permalink)
marshman Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SE PA Posts: 982	Hey, Scott, I'll send you some if you want (insert smirkey, wise-a$$ face thingy here)... __________________ 42

December 5th, 2008, 02:32 PM	#10 (permalink)
brownshoe Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sunnyvale, CA Posts: 220	I ordered two JJ 12ax7's and two JJ 6v6's from Tube Depot this morning and specified Fedex overnight shipping. 13 minutes after placing the order, I got another email saying the order was shipped! I don't how that's possible, but that's what happened. __________________ If I grow up I'll be a singer wearing rings on every finger

December 4th, 2008, 09:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
6942 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Western Maryland Posts: 1,631	I've used Tube Depot for new tubes, and KCA for NOS tubes. Both vendors are very good IMO. Steve

December 4th, 2008, 09:42 AM	#3 (permalink)
teleamp Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Central TX Age: 49 Posts: 667	Do you have any old TV or radio shops around, those places are gold mines. Nothing against the online tube vendors, but they charge premium prices for what are supposed to be "maintenance" items. If your going to buy JJ's, Eurotubes is a major importer for them and he screens them well. Places like tubesandmore don't screen them and sell them at a lower price and leave the screening to the customer.

December 4th, 2008, 09:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
stxrus Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2007 Location: St. Croix, USVI Age: 56 Posts: 685	Bob at Euro Tubes gets 3 thumbs up from me. nice and knowledgeable dude steve

December 4th, 2008, 07:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
chuckamok63 TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Chicago Il Age: 45 Posts: 92	There used to be a ton of old man TV Radio fix it shops, but they've all retired or died. The last one I found was bought by a bunch of opportunistic buttheads who charge double what the net does. I had a box of tubes and offered money to use their tester or pay them to test them for me but they insisted on "seeing what I had" before they'd let me into the shop. My need is to find vendors who test their tubes before selling them. Too many risks on Fleabay.

December 5th, 2008, 04:05 PM	#11 (permalink)
Ben Harmless Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Albany, NY US of A Posts: 3,375 12 Photos	If you're into JJs, I'll also give a thumbs up to Bob at Eurotubes. Fantastic service. In doing my first (and still only) amp build, I ordered some tubes from Antique Electronics along with a few bits and pieces for the amp. Very prompt and 100% correct service on each of the three total orders I've made from them. __________________ "I think I'll go for the life of sin, followed by the last-minute, presto-change-o, deathbed repentance." - B. Simpson

December 5th, 2008, 05:54 PM	#12 (permalink)
Guitar_Ninja Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Kingston, Ontario Posts: 1,717 7 Photos	Tube Depot. __________________ "Envy is Not the Root of All Enmity"

December 6th, 2008, 04:43 PM	#13 (permalink)
Doug Ferguson Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Indianapolis, IN Age: 56 Posts: 1,824	I've had good experiences with Doug's Tubes and Tube Depot. __________________ "There comes a point where you have to stand up to reality and deny it." -Garrison Keillor