Marshall Amp Forum - View Single Post - Preamp Tubes?

MartyStrat54 · 07-04-2009, 07:32 PM

Well the problem is these online tube brokers are just plain crazy on their prices, because they know that someone with the $$$ will buy from them. I can't afford $400 for a quad of power tubes either. That's why I buy on EBAY. Is there more risk? I don't think so, because any time that I've had a problem the seller refunded my money.

What sucks is that back in the 60's and even the 70's, if you had a tube amp, you could buy any brand of tube you wanted cheap. Now all of these special tubes are priced at $80 apiece. I went to that website you posted and looked up the cost on a Raytheon BP. They wanted $80 and were out of stock. So Joe got a great deal from me.

Most of the tubes I buy end up costing me $15 to $24 each. That's a lot cheaper than $40 to $125. The same goes for power tubes. If you really want some nice EL34's, you have to watch several auctions and hope that one of them isn't getting a lot of activity. These are the auctions I like and the one's I make a great deal on. It's just a shame the little buggers wear out, but at least the NOS power tubes last longer than a set of JJ's.

Marty

07-04-2009, 07:32 PM	#553 (permalink)
MartyStrat54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Formerly Phoenix, now north of KC Posts: 2,583	Re: Preamp Tubes? - Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How? Well the problem is these online tube brokers are just plain crazy on their prices, because they know that someone with the $$$ will buy from them. I can't afford $400 for a quad of power tubes either. That's why I buy on EBAY. Is there more risk? I don't think so, because any time that I've had a problem the seller refunded my money. What sucks is that back in the 60's and even the 70's, if you had a tube amp, you could buy any brand of tube you wanted cheap. Now all of these special tubes are priced at $80 apiece. I went to that website you posted and looked up the cost on a Raytheon BP. They wanted $80 and were out of stock. So Joe got a great deal from me. Most of the tubes I buy end up costing me $15 to $24 each. That's a lot cheaper than $40 to $125. The same goes for power tubes. If you really want some nice EL34's, you have to watch several auctions and hope that one of them isn't getting a lot of activity. These are the auctions I like and the one's I make a great deal on. It's just a shame the little buggers wear out, but at least the NOS power tubes last longer than a set of JJ's. Marty __________________ MARTY 2009 Gibson Explorer-Hell Raising Machine 1989 Fender Strat Plus USA 2008 Fender Tele USA 2004 Schecter Elite w/DiMarzio's TSL100 with custom 4x12 cab. TSL122 with Man 'O War Speakers. TSL602 #1 with JBL D123 Speakers and 602 #2 with Altec 417 Speakers. "Oh so sweet my friends." DSL401 #1 with Red Fang Speaker and 401 #2 with JBL D123 Speaker. Tubes: Let's just say they are NOS that kick ass.