|
|
Post by thehightenor on Aug 1, 2024 23:07:26 GMT -6
So how long does tube typically last if it was good to begin with, and well kept? 15-20 years? And not in a big studio where the gear may be on all day every day…only turn on what I’m using. I don’t have a lot of gear but most of it is tube. So to replace every tube, I’d need 20…so around $6000 bucks, damn! I have tubes that have been going for 20 years! But your point is correct. My gear isn’t on 247 as I’m not a commercial studio. I bought a NOS EF14 for my Wunder CM7 from Mike at Wunder …. and it’s a spare for the future. It cost $500 including import duty! |
|
|
|
Post by EmRR on Aug 1, 2024 23:29:12 GMT -6
So how long does tube typically last if it was good to begin with, and well kept? 15-20 years? And not in a big studio where the gear may be on all day every day…only turn on what I’m using. I don’t have a lot of gear but most of it is tube. So to replace every tube, I’d need 20…so around $6000 bucks, damn! Same tubes in preamps i restored in the late 90’s. I did an exhaustive comparison with new tubes 5 years ago and there was little evidence of wear. I have EL34’s in a bass amp I gigged heavily for 5 years, they were in an Altec install PA amp for 30 years before that, and they’re still in use as the house bass amp on every session. $6000/20 = $300/ea?!?!? WTH do you have!?!? The most esoteric actually rare tubes I could use in some ancient RCA preamps run $75-150 when they show up, and there’s a perfectly fine $5 substitute. I’ve got other stuff that is very hard to find, but never expensive when it shows up. The EF86 in a 67 and 6072’s in old Altec and RCA pre’s would be the most expensive stuff I have, and none have ever needed replacement, including the originals that came with when the amps came out of long term storage. |
|
|
|
Post by iamasound on Aug 2, 2024 16:15:54 GMT -6
Dateline...June 17, 2028
For sale: Mint NOS 1953 U47 found in my uncle's locked steamer trunk and full of other memorabilia from when he worked as an engineer at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles in the 50's and 60's (see my other listings).
Neumann U47 (without tube): $1
Telefunken VF 14 Tube: $2,350,000.°°
|
|
|
|
Post by russellcreekps on Aug 2, 2024 19:09:37 GMT -6
So how long does tube typically last if it was good to begin with, and well kept? 15-20 years? And not in a big studio where the gear may be on all day every day…only turn on what I’m using. I don’t have a lot of gear but most of it is tube. So to replace every tube, I’d need 20…so around $6000 bucks, damn! Same tubes in preamps i restored in the late 90’s. I did an exhaustive comparison with new tubes 5 years ago and there was little evidence of wear. I have EL34’s in a bass amp I gigged heavily for 5 years, they were in an Altec install PA amp for 30 years before that, and they’re still in use as the house bass amp on every session. $6000/20 = $300/ea?!?!? WTH do you have!?!? The most esoteric actually rare tubes I could use in some ancient RCA preamps run $75-150 when they show up, and there’s a perfectly fine $5 substitute. I’ve got other stuff that is very hard to find, but never expensive when it shows up. The EF86 in a 67 and 6072’s in old Altec and RCA pre’s would be the most expensive stuff I have, and none have ever needed replacement, including the originals that came with when the amps came out of long term storage. BU67, WT72 (pair), AS EQPA (pair), ELOP+ (might sell), soon to have RS660 (pair), not so soon a 47Tube and BN251. Pretty easy to get up to 20 tubes when you have stereo channels and there’s multiple tubes in each…I thought the WT72’s were 3 tubes but I think they’re actually 2…rough numbers. And that’s CAD, so like just over $200 per tube US…plus shipping and duties. From what I saw, they’re around $200 each (US), up to $300 for NOS…just did a quick search on TubeDepot Edited: My bad, yes the EF86’s in the WT72 are much cheaper…I did my math on an NOS 6386. And I would want to replace with high end tubes like Mullard. But yes, in doing deeper research, the Mullard EF86 is $130..so a lot cheaper. Still, if we’re looking at $3-4K (CAD), that remains a very significant expense! |
|
|
|
Post by EmRR on Aug 2, 2024 19:38:46 GMT -6
I'll just add that Tube Depot is pretty much the most expensive place to buy tubes. I don't know if they really offer any significant protection or testing guarantee that's really any better than anyone else. A lot of things that get 'tested' in tubes by dealers are not things that you can really guarantee and test for outside of the place they're going to end up.
|
|
|
|
Post by russellcreekps on Aug 3, 2024 19:36:12 GMT -6
EmRR good to know, thanks. Any suggestions on a really good place to buy tubes?
|
|
|
|
Post by chessparov on Aug 3, 2024 20:47:10 GMT -6
I'm SO worried.
What if my Chinesium Toob dies?
What's to become of my Vintage MXL V69?
It's vexing I tell you.
Vexing.
Chris
|
|
|
|
Post by the other mark williams on Aug 3, 2024 23:31:49 GMT -6
EmRR good to know, thanks. Any suggestions on a really good place to buy tubes? is the best source I’ve ever found. |
|
|
|
Post by Tbone81 on Aug 4, 2024 8:40:05 GMT -6
EmRR good to know, thanks. Any suggestions on a really good place to buy tubes? is the best source I’ve ever found. I’ll second that. I’ve had a few not so great interactions with Tue Depot in the past. I try to avoid them now. |
|
|
|
Post by russellcreekps on Aug 4, 2024 16:55:50 GMT -6
EmRR good to know, thanks. Any suggestions on a really good place to buy tubes? is the best source I’ve ever found. Thx, bookmarked! |
|
|
|
Post by ab101 on Aug 4, 2024 19:22:19 GMT -6
|
|
|
|
Post by EmRR on Aug 4, 2024 21:10:37 GMT -6
|
|
