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anyone like tubes?

L

Lee H

Nov 30, 2011
1,363
11
55
Redding CA
#1
I found a couple boxes hidden in the attic of my shop, that I did not even know where there.
The original owner was a ham radio fanatic, so I know they had to be his, but he died years ago

is there any place that recycles these things. I hate to just throw them out


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#6
Lee H said:
I found a couple boxes hidden in the attic of my shop, that I did not even know where there.
The original owner was a ham radio fanatic, so I know they had to be his, but he died years ago

is there any place that recycles these things. I hate to just throw them out


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While I would guess that most are from TVs and radios, look at the larger ones and see if the numbers 5Y3, 5V4, 5R4, 5U4, and 80 (these are all rectifier tubes that are common in guitar amps) and 6L6, 6V6, 6K6, 6CA7 (equivalent to EL34), 6BQ5 (equivalent to EL84) are all useful output tubes. If you see any 12AX7, 12AY7, 12AT7 or 12AU7, keep those, too.

Don't use harsh chemicals to clean them- the lettering will come off. Mild soap and water is best and don't try to make them look like new.

The TV/Radio tubes could be moved on Craig's List.
 
#7
1958Bassman said:
While I would guess that most are from TVs and radios, look at the larger ones and see if the numbers 5Y3, 5V4, 5R4, 5U4, and 80 (these are all rectifier tubes that are common in guitar amps) and 6L6, 6V6, 6K6, 6CA7 (equivalent to EL34), 6BQ5 (equivalent to EL84) are all useful output tubes. If you see any 12AX7, 12AY7, 12AT7 or 12AU7, keep those, too.

Don't use harsh chemicals to clean them- the lettering will come off. Mild soap and water is best and don't try to make them look like new.

The TV/Radio tubes could be moved on Craig's List.
Click to expand...

If you have access to a tube tester, you can weed out the junk and make a small fortune on the good stuff, if you can find the right buyer.

I was looking at old tubes at an electronics store not long ago, and was told they sell about one or two a year. Made me kind of sad that the technology is dead for most people. I guess finding a buyer is the tough part.
 
#10
dig through there like 1958bassman said. there's bound to be some preamp tubes, rectifiers and maybe even some power tubes. it'll take a while, yes, but you may turn up some ebay gems. a find like those two boxes is a dream come true for vintage geeks. it would almost definately be worth cataloging each one. i'd bet there's a nice dinner out for you and a special someone in there.

second look. box on the right, top of pic--- el84? come to think of it, try posting that pic in the amps section, too. you'll have a bunch of dudes getting drooly-mouthed and giddy... try diyaudio.com too. you'll get as-is offers i'd bet.

me, i'd be up for 12ax7, 5y3gt, 6v6gt. a bulk PM to interested parties once you find out what's in there might be in order!
 
#11
Hi.

Old, decades ago replaced probably non-functioning or partly functioning/noisy tubes by the looks of it.

From tube radios and tube TV's no less.

Nothing to be too exited about if You ask me.

Without being tested, I'd assume (and I have paid) ~1€/piece.
Tested good ~3€/piece. And that's for the "MI-tubes" mind You, the market for used radio/TV tubes is AFAIK non-existant. Plenty of NOS tubes out there.

Tested good, old tubes can have a real value, and the rekindled enthusiasm for Class A SE amps means that a single power tube can have some use.

The above doesn't mean I wouldn't be exited as hell for such a discovery myself, but having gone through such piles more than once, the reality has hit pretty hard.

Regards
Sam
 
#13
line6man said:
If you have access to a tube tester, you can weed out the junk and make a small fortune on the good stuff, if you can find the right buyer.

I was looking at old tubes at an electronics store not long ago, and was told they sell about one or two a year. Made me kind of sad that the technology is dead for most people. I guess finding a buyer is the tough part.
Click to expand...

I'm not the OP but I found myself in a similar position after someone forced me to take a box of tubes. He had done TV repairs and I really didn't think I would find much that was useful. Man, was I wrong! I found everything I listed, except #80 as well as several I didn't list. The rectifiers alone would probably bring a couple hundred bucks if I sold them on ebay.

I'm looking for a decent tester- I missed a few B&K 600 series that went for great prices but I'll keep watching.
 
#14
Lee H said:
yeah, there are quite a few of them, in there... If you look at the pic, there is a small box inside a larger box (right side box) There are a bunch in their original boxes, under the top box
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I could use an EL84, if you're interested in mailing a few my way, I'd be willing to pay for shipping and a bit extra to make it worth the time.
Actually, if you can find a 12ax7 too, that might help. I want to re-tube my valve jr., I'm not sure how good electro harmonix tubes are (which is my 12AX7), but I've heard that the sovtek EL84 prettymuch needs a change.
 
#15
Fill those boots with tubes and send boots and tubes to me.:p
I love old tubes, right now the only tube amp I have is a 58 tweed Champ. I found a funky old Admiral 6v6 in a bin at the local flea market for a dollar. They smirked like he was ripping my off. I put in my amp and it changed the whole tone. The overdrive really picked up and the amp is a little screamer now.
 
#16
slobake said:
Fill those boots with tubes and send boots and tubes to me.:p
I love old tubes, right now the only tube amp I have is a 58 tweed Champ. I found a funky old Admiral 6v6 in a bin at the local flea market for a dollar. They smirked like he was ripping my off. I put in my amp and it changed the whole tone. The overdrive really picked up and the amp is a little screamer now.
Click to expand...

how do you like the champ circuit? I'm considering getting a small parts kit for a 5F1 circuit and modding said valve jr. to the 5F1 circuit, would you say it's a reasonable thing to do?
 
#17
pie_man_25 said:
how do you like the champ circuit? I'm considering getting a small parts kit for a 5F1 circuit and modding said valve jr. to the 5F1 circuit, would you say it's a reasonable thing to do?
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I love the champ circuit. "To me the notes seem to jump right out of the amp on Class A amps. I really like you drive the amp and get that pure tube overdrive without earbleed volumes.
 

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