Tube collecting.. :)

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kurtsstuff2003

Well-known member
Is it just me or.. has anybody bought an amp just to take the tubes out of them then flip the amp?. With this tube thing going on it got me thinking about it. I do it quite often and it's usually something older or obscure like an AIMS guitar or PA amp and the like. Amps like these are usually sporting GE 6550's or desirable 6L6's, EL34's etc...Preamp tubes like RCA 7025's etc..I was just thinking about it and wondering if anybody else does this? Right now I'm eyeballing a fender super twin that's stuffed with some really nice looking what I think are Sylvania STR 6L6's...But, to flip the amp would be a pain in the a##...lol!! Guess I should add that..These are usually amps that don't cost any more than $150.00 maybe $200.00 ;)
 
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Nah. I feel odd not giving a shit about tubes. I have a few spares of each and that’s it, when they blow I’ll put another one in. I couldn’t even tell you which tubes are in any of my amps.
 
Haven’t bought an amp to flip and harvest the tubes, but I have bought tubes off of customers amps in for repair. Had two ampeg v4b in from two different customers, one had 3 good 7027A and the other had just 1 that was good. Both agreed to take money off their bill in exchange for me getting the tubes and I now have a full backup set for my 73 ampeg v4b.

Last month I repaired a friends orange ad200b and it had a bad JJ 6550. Probably would have bought the remaining 3 had I had something that uses a pair of 6550s. He ended up putting in new sensor Mullard kt88s and was lucky to get those.
 
I don't like this at all. Can we move this to Off Topic? That is where insanity and nonsense belongs.
 
I would never do this someone. I actually take pride in trying to make the deal as good as possible for whomever I am selling too. I know how it feels to be on the shit end of a deal. I don't ever want to be the jerk that makes someone else feel like that. Call me weird, but I feel a personal responsibility to spread a little decency even if that favor isn't returned. Making someone have to track down tubes after buying an amp is a dick move in my opinion.
 
I did this once, and the tubes sounded MUCH better in one of my "keeper" amps than the donor amp that I bought.

Although lately, I have been considering buying cheap used cars for the gas in the tanks, lol.
 
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HarryCooter said:
I would never do this someone. I actually take pride in trying to make the deal as good as possible for whomever I am selling too. I know how it feels to be on the shit end of a deal. I don't ever want to be the jerk that makes someone else feel like that. Call me weird, but I feel a personal responsibility to spread a little decency even if that favor isn't returned. Making someone have to track down tubes after buying an amp is a dick move in my opinion.
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Read Kurt’s post again. Your misunderstanding the entire thing.

The point was buying obscure tube amps (not guitar amps) and snagging the badass vintage tubes that most people don’t even know the value of and then flipping the amp. I see no problem here? People have been doing this for years with old Baldwin tube organs and whatnot.
 
gtrwun said:
Read Kurt’s post again. Your misunderstanding the entire thing.

The point was buying obscure tube amps (not guitar amps) and snagging the badass vintage tubes that most people don’t even know the value of and then flipping the amp. I see no problem here? People have been doing this for years with old Baldwin tube organs and whatnot.
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I misunderstood. I just assumed we were talking guitar amps here.
 
HarryCooter said:
I misunderstood. I just assumed we were talking guitar amps here.
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I’ve bought and traded amps with Kurt. He’s a straight shooter for sure. He can chime in here, but he doesn’t post as much as some of us. All good.
 
Never been a vintage tube guy,always bought new from Laura.(tells you how long ago I bought power tubes).
But if I was, I think Kurt's idea is brilliant.
Not to mention most amp buyers(myself included) would rather have new tubes freshly biased and dialed in.
 
gtrwun said:
Read Kurt’s post again. Your misunderstanding the entire thing.

The point was buying obscure tube amps (not guitar amps) and snagging the badass vintage tubes that most people don’t even know the value of and then flipping the amp. I see no problem here? People have been doing this for years with old Baldwin tube organs and whatnot
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Thanks ..Don't know why it's misunderstood? Anyways...Appreciate you having my back :)
 
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