Good sources for Telefunken 12AX7 tubes?

[Ctiger2]

I'm looking for reputable sources for some <> Tele 12AX7 tubes. Does anyone have any experience with www.thetubeshop.com? He is selling them for $25/tube there. Seems very reasonable to me... I have checked ebay acutions and they seem way overpriced on there. Also, browsing the web for them and I am finding prices from $25/tube to $200/matched pair. Anybody that could point my in the right direction? I would greatly appreciate it! :thumbsup:

Thanks,
Charlie

[Jeffrey]

Hi Charlie,

I've scored most of mine via Ebay and it's rather risky. Never purchased from the Tubeshop BUT the price is certainly reasonable. Seems like they should hafta keep the customer satisfied to stay in business long so if it were me i'd give 'em a try but only buy a few Tele's the first go around. ;)

Good luck,
Jeffrey :)

[Jeffrey]

Hi Charlie,

Then again :laugh: check the description:

"TELEFUNKEN

12AX7/ECC83....USED/TESTED.TELEFUNKEN RIB PLATE
Labeled Dyanco,Fisher,etc ................. $25

TELEFUNKEN USED/TESTED RIB PLATE 12AX7/ECC83
With good original logos............... $30

12AX7/ECC83.USED/TESTED TELEFUNKEN SMOOTHPLATE
labeled Dyanco,Fisher,etc.................$30

TELEFUNKEN USED/TESTED SMOOTHPLATE 12AX7/ECC83
Good original logos .....OUT OF STOCK...... $40 "


He wants $40 for a smoothplate original logo AND he doesn't have any. The $25 deal is for ribbed Tele's w/ other labels (Dyn., Fish., etc.) that usually can be found for that price or sometimes even less. I'd say the ribbed original logo Tele's for $30 is the way to go!

Take care,
Jeffrey :)

[Vinyl-Addict]

I've paid a pretty penny($50 ea.) for some of the Teles I own, although those have been tested as new and with perfect logos. These almost always go for big bucks because they are just getting harder to find in that kind of shape. I know of a certain dealer asking $150 a piece for a Tele 12AX7 in that kind of condition.:eek:

The Fisher branded Teles and Dynaco's(I own a couple) are the way to go if you want to save cash but make sure the seller gives you a money back guarantee, should they exhibit problems when you receive them.

BTW, ask the seller what type of test equipment he uses and what the numbers actually mean in terms of condition of the tube. IOW, the tube may only be tested for shorts, knowing how used the tube actually is gives merit to the price too. :)

[Steve Hoffman]

Remember the paint used to make tube logos is purposely designed to disintegrate with heat. In other words, if you are actually going to use the friggin' tube, the logo will vanish within a short time so why pay extra for a tube with a mint logo?

Also, since the 12AX7 is a dual triode, make sure that both sides are tested! Even though you might only be using one side in your application, both should be even.

I think 25 or 30 bucks is an ok price these days for a tube that might last you for 10 years. Remember, to me the smooth plate and ribbed plate versions sound identical.

Don't forget to verify the diamond on the bottom!

[audio]

Here's a tip for finding Telefunken 12AX7s. I've got more than I could ever use right now and the way I got them is I started scouring around for broken, but old and untouched, cheap, tube amps. 7 times out of 10 they are loaded with Telefunkens, particularly those models by Scott.

[Ctiger2]

Thanks for the info guys! This forum is a great way to bounce ideas & questions off knowledgable folks such as yourselves!

Prix, that is a great idea to find old Tele's. I don't really want to fool around with buying/acquiring old tube amps and pilfer their tubes though :laugh: Would you be interested in selling any? Or better yet, borrowing me any? :D

Thanks,
Charlie