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Audio/Vacuum Tubes?

PostPosted: Tue Nov 23, 2010 12:08 am
by mj74
I have recently been scrapping out some old TV's,and radio's that contain the old vacuum tubes,and I was wondering if there is a market for these?
Are there any places that buy them?

Re: Audio/Vacuum Tubes?

PostPosted: Tue Nov 23, 2010 5:25 am
by Devil Soundwave
Stick them on eBay. Audio tubes especially always have a market particularly if they are from good, dow defunct brands such as RCA.

Failing that, don't throw them away, donate them to a guitar shop - they'll find an amp to use them in eventually.

Re: Audio/Vacuum Tubes?

PostPosted: Tue Nov 23, 2010 9:04 pm
by Dr. Cadmium
Check if it's valuable before taking it apart. Some old tube equipment sells for well into the four and even five figures.

This is especially true with tube radios, amplifiers and other audio equipment. If the case or cabinet is a total wreck, extract the actual console (guts) and sell that part intact. Some of the control knobs and faceplates are also very desirable.

If you think you have a valuable piece of tube equipment, DO NOT plug it into a normal house outlet to test it out. This can damage or blow out some of the more sensitive parts. Take it to someone with experience with old equipment; they'll usually have a variable power supply to test with.

Selling individual tubes is best left to those with the equipment to test them. Otherwise, sell in lots by brand or equipment type.

The market for old tube TV sets is more limited, but there are still some collectors who buy them.