21Fretter
I was having a little argument with my friend's father about tube amps and we got onto the topic of maintenance and he was saying that when the tubes die you have to send it into a tech and he orders the tubes from who knows where etc etc, and i was saying that you can obviously buy them yourself. He then asked where do SA players buy tubes and i was stumped. Therefore, where do you guys get your replacement tubes. I was thinking Musiciansfriend but is there a physical walk-in shop anywhere (specifically CT) to buy tubes off the shelf?
P.S. Gave search a whirl before posting, came up blank for me.
matta
The problem is there is a VAST array of tubes/valves and so many stores just don't stock them, but ANY good music store should stock the 'basics' like preamp valves.
It is harder with output valves as there are quite a few, they need to be matched in the case of a push-pull amp and so that makes it harder for them to have these on hand as a considerable amount of money needs to be outlayed to stock them all, test them, hence why a tech/repair shop is a better option.
I keep stock of the basics, but then import on a case by case basis, it helps to have lined up a great supplier in the USA so my turn around time is typically a week, a short delay, but it keeps the costs down, WAY down, which is a saving that is handed over to the client, so a win-win.
RE Cape Town guys, Marshall and Bothners have a few and Karel Mars and myself stock a few and both of us have access to a wide range, both types and values.
Hope that helps!
Cheers
Matt
AlanRatcliffe
Yup. Plus Marshall's are Mesa agents and Bothner's are Fender, Sovtek and Electro Harmonix, so they will each carry the valves branded and/or distributed by those companies.
You want anything special, it pays to get from someone like Matt, Mr. Valve or import from KCA NOS and keep your own backups.
21Fretter
Cool guys! Appreciate the help and good to know that there are guys on this forum who can help organize and willing to help ? I've been thinking lately of making the move over to valve as well ?
