NOS 'ANOS' ETC TUBES... Be extremely careful!

[HilltopExplosion]

This is why I own digital tube testers. I let the sellers know that I have them and will be testing the tubes on arrival. I've gotten some amazing tube deals since having them.

Maximatcher?

 

[psychodave]

This is why I own digital tube testers. I let the sellers know that I have them and will be testing the tubes on arrival. I've gotten some amazing tube deals since having them.

Maximatcher?

Yep. Work perfect for my needs. In fact I won't put a tube into an amp without it going into the tester first.

 

[Loudness250]

Tube Depot would sell these for about $300 a piece, i got all three for $130 cash off CL about a year ago.
New, never used Blackburn Mullards.

You have to do you homework.

I had one of those eico branded ones, it lasted forever, probably still works. You got yourself an awesome deal there, 10 years ago you could get the rebranded ones for like 30$ a pop, not new but used and still good.

 

[FourT6and2]

This is why I own digital tube testers. I let the sellers know that I have them and will be testing the tubes on arrival. I've gotten some amazing tube deals since having them.

Maximatcher?

I kinda want one. But close to $700 is a lot.

 

[psychodave]

This is why I own digital tube testers. I let the sellers know that I have them and will be testing the tubes on arrival. I've gotten some amazing tube deals since having them.

Maximatcher?

I kinda want one. But close to $700 is a lot.

I bought both the preamp and power tube versions and spent $1,700. Seems like a lot, but so is the cost of blowing an original transformer in a 67 plexi or 2C+ by putting in a shorted tube. We're all tone freaks here and owning these lets me know exactly what's in my amp. No more guessing how strong a preamp tube is or how closely matched power tubes are... One of the best features is I can find tubes I like and be able to replicate their data for optimal tone. No more guessing...

 

[steve_k]

This is why I own digital tube testers. I let the sellers know that I have them and will be testing the tubes on arrival. I've gotten some amazing tube deals since having them.

Maximatcher?

I kinda want one. But close to $700 is a lot.

I bought both the preamp and power tube versions and spent $1,700. Seems like a lot, but so is the cost of blowing an original transformer in a 67 plexi or 2C+ by putting in a shorted tube. We're all tone freaks here and owning these lets me know exactly what's in my amp. No more guessing how strong a preamp tube is or how closely matched power tubes are... One of the best features is I can find tubes I like and be able to replicate their data for optimal tone. No more guessing...

same here. can't press enough how valuable these can be, especially when you are sporting some highly coveted or highly valued amps.

 

[glip22]

A tester is a must. The only thing you really need to worry about as far as damaging your amp is a tube short. It is nice to know mutual conductance and gain is nice to know also. My tester does not test for gain. It's not a must.

 

[Hey_bert_whtcha_doin_bert]

In my opinion just buy new tubes from new manufacture. Keeps them in business and hopefully gets them making better product so they don't have to cut corners. New tubes are much better than they used to be anyway. New amp are built with them in mind and while the old tubes were great it's really not worlds apart honestly... If you're being truly honest with yourself about it. Many other things in the chain can make up a lot of the difference for the ones that are there.

I don't have tons and tons of experience with tubes and I do agree with keeping the guys in business and also that it's not world's apart BUT I've got a couple of "ANOS" used vintage tubes in my Bogner (against Reinhold's recommendation) and it sounded better fo sho.

I've tried plenty of the NOS stuff a while back when I was on the maddest of tone hunts... And I do agree they can sound better but it's SOOO slight in most cases on modern amps. The vintage stuff yeah it can really make or break it.

 

[maddnotez]

What's an average price for say a mid level used and decent tube tester?