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Post by Die Bullen on Jun 12, 2021 23:27:40 GMT
I'm going to go ahead and get a single TAD 6L6WGC-STR so I can restore my Twin Reverb to a four power tube output. I just realized that I didn't mark the bad tube of the pair that's out, so I've appealed on Facebook for somebody in the area with a tube tester to test the pair for me. (No service shops in a 30 mile radius with a tube tester, so I'm hoping for a sympathetic musician). If I can determine which one's bad, I'll chuck it out and order a single....If I can't find anybody with a tube tester, I may have to order a matched pair. If I order a single, I'll send the company a picture of the label on the good tube I have and hope they'll know what's needed to get a close match.
(Edited to add:) well, Facebook won't run my ad, so I guess I'll end up having to buy a pair of tubes. This is the second time that Facebook's declined to run one of my ads because it "contravenes their policy". I think I'm done with Facebook Marketplace.
You should reply back to them with what it is that you are trying to do. I had put a wine bottle corker and bottle drying rack under a title of “winemaking supplies” and I received the same response from them as it contravened their policy. I think they thought I was selling wine. So I responded back to them that I am only selling a bottle corker and a drying rack for bottles. Within a day, it was posted. You should also put your ad on Kijiji and also look to see if any repair guys are posting on there. They may have a tube tester. However, like DB said, you can mount the new tube and one of the old tubes and determine for yourself. If you are using it with only 2 tubes right now, replace one of the 2 tubes with each of the spares. Surely one of the two configurations will sound worse and you can figure out which is the bad one. There had to be something that you noticed that made you pull those tubes. Heck I have 2 tube testers and I'd gladly do it for him but postage to and from Canada would cost more than the tube..
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2021 1:10:23 GMT
I've always been under the impression that if I tried a tube that potentially had a fault that it could put the transformer at risk, so I've been avoiding that. (You can tell me if I'm wrong) Kijiji isn't an option for me because it won't recognize my password and I'm having difficulty changing it....It keeps telling me that my user name is already taken, but when I try to register a new account so I can choose a new password, it says that an account is already registered at my IP and it denies me access. I've tried several times to deal with this but with no success. Facebook says that my ad doesn't meet their criteria because it doesn't represent an offer to sell something. I did manage to get onto Used Cowichan and put up an ad there, and ironically, it offered to repost it on Facebook, although I haven't been able to find it since. A Facebook playing guitar buddy (the guy that bought my Conrad years ago) that I messaged has sent me a phone number for a guy who does his service....Says he has a tube tester although he doesn't know what the guy might charge me for a couple of tube tests, and it's a 20 mile drive each way. One way or another, I'll figure this out.
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Post by infant on Jun 13, 2021 3:42:50 GMT
Correct in that if a tube fries, it could take out the x-former.
I’m surprised that on Kijiji, you can’t just hit the “Forgot password” button and modify it
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2021 2:48:07 GMT
I've connected with a local musician who does some service work for my buddy that owns the pawnshop. He has a tube tester and has offered to test my 6L6's for fee but says we should talk on the phone first. also, a friend on TDPRI says if he has the numbers from the labels on my T.A.D.'s, he might be able to source a close match for the faulty tube. It's slow, but I feel like I'm getting closer to solving this.
I haven't heard back from the guy with the Super Twin Reverb that I proposed a trade to, so I guess that deal's not going to fly (although I notice the Super Twin's still for sale). I've found a Vox VR30R for sale used that interests me, so maybe that's smething I can look at at some point.
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Post by Die Bullen on Jun 16, 2021 11:10:14 GMT
I've connected with a local musician who does some service work for my buddy that owns the pawnshop. He has a tube tester and has offered to test my 6L6's for fee but says we should talk on the phone first. also, a friend on TDPRI says if he has the numbers from the labels on my T.A.D.'s, he might be able to source a close match for the faulty tube. It's slow, but I feel like I'm getting closer to solving this. I haven't heard back from the guy with the Super Twin Reverb that I proposed a trade to, so I guess that deal's not going to fly (although I notice the Super Twin's still for sale). I've found a Vox VR30R for sale used that interests me, so maybe that's smething I can look at at some point. Well that sounds promising on the tube testing front. Have you reached out to the guy about the trade? Maybe he is waiting for you to get in touch?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2021 0:07:12 GMT
I just talked to the tech who was going to test those tubes for me. Reinstalling the four power tubes immediately brought back the problem I was having years ago, so it needs someone with more expertise than me to deal with it. Since the boss at work is buying my new air conditioner, I can afford to get the amp serviced, and I can revisit whether I want to sell or trade it after I'm sure it's working 100%.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2021 1:53:52 GMT
I took my Twin head for service today, so we'll see what comes out of that. Something else weird....and I'll mention it here only because I remarked in an earlier post that if I managed to get the Twin Reverb sold, I have an interest in a Vox hybrid VR30R that's for sale on Facebook. It's the same guy who had the Hofner viola guitar for sale a while back that I missed out on. The Hofner (which he sold last time for 300.00) is now posted for 500.00, and he's asking 190.00 for the Vox amp, which is fair. He says he doesn't want trades, but if they're both still unsold by the time I get my Twin Reverb back from service, I'd think about to trading him my Twin head and Altec Lansing 15" box for the Hofner and the Vox. Just a back burner idea for the next few days....
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Post by Die Bullen on Jun 20, 2021 12:31:57 GMT
I took my Twin head for service today, so we'll see what comes out of that. Something else weird....and I'll mention it here only because I remarked in an earlier post that if I managed to get the Twin Reverb sold, I have an interest in a Vox hybrid VR30R that's for sale on Facebook. It's the same guy who had the Hofner viola guitar for sale a while back that I missed out on. The Hofner (which he sold last time for 300.00) is now posted for 500.00, and he's asking 190.00 for the Vox amp, which is fair. He says he doesn't want trades, but if they're both still unsold by the time I get my Twin Reverb back from service, I'd think about to trading him my Twin head and Altec Lansing 15" box for the Hofner and the Vox. Just a back burner idea for the next few days.... Not a bad idea to trade but it seems very weird that he has the same bass for sale- did he have two of them? Which is the fairer price, $300 or $500?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2021 16:09:15 GMT
I took my Twin head for service today, so we'll see what comes out of that. Something else weird....and I'll mention it here only because I remarked in an earlier post that if I managed to get the Twin Reverb sold, I have an interest in a Vox hybrid VR30R that's for sale on Facebook. It's the same guy who had the Hofner viola guitar for sale a while back that I missed out on. The Hofner (which he sold last time for 300.00) is now posted for 500.00, and he's asking 190.00 for the Vox amp, which is fair. He says he doesn't want trades, but if they're both still unsold by the time I get my Twin Reverb back from service, I'd think about to trading him my Twin head and Altec Lansing 15" box for the Hofner and the Vox. Just a back burner idea for the next few days.... Not a bad idea to trade but it seems very weird that he has the same bass for sale- did he have two of them? Which is the fairer price, $300 or $500? The Hofner isn't a bass....It's a six string guitar - An Ignition 459. I'm virtually positive it's the same one, as there are some subtle cosmetics changes such as different knobs which make it quite distinctive. I can think of a couple of reasons he might have it - Maybe the first sale fell through and he's realized that it's worth more than he initially asked, or maybe the originally buyer traded it back in against one of the Telecasters he had for sale as well. It was a hell of a deal at 300.00, but even at 500.00. I'd at least consider it. If a person could get one new now, it would probably be 700.00 - 800.00, but since they're no longer available, it'll bring whatever someone will pay for it.
The Vox VR30R 's a really mint example, and it comes with the optional footswitch which sold for 70.00 new. I paid 229 years ago for my first one used on eBay, and when I sold it, I traded it straight across for a 1966 Fender VibroChamp that was mint, but had a service problem. This one's used ask price of 190.00 is fair, I think. And, it's a heck of a fine amp....30 watts, in the Valve Reactor series which has one 12AX7A in the preamp section. They do wonderful cleans and a very credible overdrive with pre- and post- gain controls. The speaker's been upgraded to a 10" Emminence, and the price also includes the original speaker.
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Post by Die Bullen on Jun 20, 2021 22:12:29 GMT
Not a bad idea to trade but it seems very weird that he has the same bass for sale- did he have two of them? Which is the fairer price, $300 or $500? The Hofner isn't a bass....It's a six string guitar - An Ignition 459. I'm virtually positive it's the same one, as there are some subtle cosmetics changes such as different knobs which make it quite distinctive. I can think of a couple of reasons he might have it - Maybe the first sale fell through and he's realized that it's worth more than he initially asked, or maybe the originally buyer traded it back in against one of the Telecasters he had for sale as well. It was a hell of a deal at 300.00, but even at 500.00. I'd at least consider it. If a person could get one new now, it would probably be 700.00 - 800.00, but since they're no longer available, it'll bring whatever someone will pay for it.
The Vox VR30R 's a really mint example, and it comes with the optional footswitch which sold for 70.00 new. I paid 229 years ago for my first one used on eBay, and when I sold it, I traded it straight across for a 1966 Fender VibroChamp that was mint, but had a service problem. This one's used ask price of 190.00 is fair, I think. And, it's a heck of a fine amp....30 watts, in the Valve Reactor series which has one 12AX7A in the preamp section. They do wonderful cleans and a very credible overdrive with pre- and post- gain controls. The speaker's been upgraded to a 10" Emminence, and the price also includes the original speaker.
Thanks for the clarification- too much gear for me to keep track of sometimes... Keep us posted with this one!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2021 19:37:20 GMT
So....Final chapter on the tube story. The tech looked at my amp and called me. As I was told years ago, one of the inside pair of power tubes is faulty and that's what caused the noise I was hearing. However, it gets a little worse - He tested all the power tubes and says the others are leaking and it's only a matter of time before they fail. Obviously, the amp can't be used again till I buy a new matched quad of output tubes. The tech offered to sell me a quad of new JJ's at his cost, but I had to explain to him that the TAD 6L6WGC's are patterned after the classic old GE tubes and are smaller, and that a quad of JJ's would be so tall that they'd melt the reverb tank bag, and probably cook the amp in the smaller head enclosure. I told him to put it back together and I'll pick it up and pay him for his time. I told him that in a few months, when I can afford a new matched quad of TAD 6L6's, I'll bring it back to him and get him to rebias it before I try to use it. Sounds like I won't have a guitar amp for a few months, and trading the amp away is now out of the question.
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Post by Die Bullen on Jun 29, 2021 20:37:53 GMT
Well that's not great news to be sure. What does a new quad cost?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2021 21:27:04 GMT
The new matched quad will be about 200.00 CDN, plus shipping, so I'd estimate about 225.00. I don't know the cost to rebias the amp, but I'm guessing between 25.00 and 50.00.
I tried to go back to the Stewart MacDonald page to review the costs, but they don't appear to sell the TAD 6L6WGC-STR's anymore. They only list the TAD 6L6GC's, which I think is the RCA-cloned (non-GE6L6GC) version, which is not suitable.
I did a bunch of looking online, and I've found a place Antique Electronic Supply that still sells the 6L6WGC's and will accept my Paypal as payment. They show their retail as US 147.80, which I guess works out about the same as StewMac, by the time you add the currency exchange conversion from US to Canadian funds, plus the extra money that Paypal bones you for when they do their artificially high conversion from US to Canadian funds.
What I'm a bit afraid of is that TAD has apparently lost their factory production facilities which is why so many places are no longer showing the TAD 6L6WGC versions as available. I hope to find a way to get the tubes as fast as possible before the supply dries up completely. The TAD 6L6GC, the RCA version is described as "bright and chimey with lots of grit when overdriven"...Not my cup of tea at all.
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Post by infant on Jun 29, 2021 23:02:04 GMT
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Post by Die Bullen on Jun 29, 2021 23:59:09 GMT
I've bought from that store quite a few times- they are always helpful and they know their stuff
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Post by infant on Jun 30, 2021 0:45:59 GMT
I've bought from that store quite a few times- they are always helpful and they know their stuff Yes, they really are helpful. I’ve gone in there and picked their brains regarding certain tubes. I used to have an original ‘94 Blues Deluxe with a non adjustable bias. I told them what I was looking for sound wise and they gave me the perfect tubes. After that I would just give them the number code on the tubes and the amp would sound the same with the new tubes.
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Post by infant on Jul 1, 2021 4:02:05 GMT
The new matched quad will be about 200.00 CDN, plus shipping, so I'd estimate about 225.00. I don't know the cost to rebias the amp, but I'm guessing between 25.00 and 50.00. I tried to go back to the Stewart MacDonald page to review the costs, but they don't appear to sell the TAD 6L6WGC-STR's anymore. They only list the TAD 6L6GC's, which I think is the RCA-cloned (non-GE6L6GC) version, which is not suitable. I did a bunch of looking online, and I've found a place Antique Electronic Supply that still sells the 6L6WGC's and will accept my Paypal as payment. They show their retail as US 147.80, which I guess works out about the same as StewMac, by the time you add the currency exchange conversion from US to Canadian funds, plus the extra money that Paypal bones you for when they do their artificially high conversion from US to Canadian funds. What I'm a bit afraid of is that TAD has apparently lost their factory production facilities which is why so many places are no longer showing the TAD 6L6WGC versions as available. I hope to find a way to get the tubes as fast as possible before the supply dries up completely. The TAD 6L6GC, the RCA version is described as "bright and chimey with lots of grit when overdriven"...Not my cup of tea at all. Check out the info I posted recently. There are many other short bottle 6L6 / 5881 tubes….and some are cheaper than TADs.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2021 18:24:57 GMT
I hadn't realized there were other short bottles available, which is good to know for the future. I think I want to stay with the TAD 6l6WGC-STR's though.....I really liked the way they sounded. The technician that just had the amp also remarked on how good the amp sounded. If I had options as far as where I buy the new match quad, I'd choose to spend the money with a Canadian company - probably The Tube Store. In my case, I don't have a credit card (yet) so I've tentatively decided to deal with Antique Electronic Supply because they accept Paypal. However, I've applied for a credit card and apparently have been accepted. I'm waiting for the card to arrive, and I'm told the PIN number will be mailed separately a few days later. If I get the new card in time, this might be a good way to start using it......I don't want to carry a credit card balance, but if I make a few purchases that I have the cash to cover and then pay the card off immediately, it'll give me a way to re-establish my credit.
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Post by Die Bullen on Jul 1, 2021 20:50:44 GMT
I hadn't realized there were other short bottles available, which is good to know for the future. I think I want to stay with the TAD 6l6WGC-STR's though.....I really liked the way they sounded. The technician that just had the amp also remarked on how good the amp sounded. If I had options as far as where I buy the new match quad, I'd choose to spend the money with a Canadian company - probably The Tube Store. In my case, I don't have a credit card (yet) so I've tentatively decided to deal with Antique Electronic Supply because they accept Paypal. However, I've applied for a credit card and apparently have been accepted. I'm waiting for the card to arrive, and I'm told the PIN number will be mailed separately a few days later. If I get the new card in time, this might be a good way to start using it......I don't want to carry a credit card balance, but if I make a few purchases that I have the cash to cover and then pay the card off immediately, it'll give me a way to re-establish my credit. Sounds like a plan. Congrats on your credit card- that should make online purchases easier on certain sites
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2021 3:13:05 GMT
The technician, who builds amplifiers, told me that he sees preamp tubes as having an even bigger influence on the tone quality of an amp. It makes me think that when I have discretionary income, one of the things I want is to replace the new Groove Tube that I had to buy last summer as the only 12AX7 that Long & McQuade had in stock. I've always thought the Groove Tubes stuff was second rate. I've read online that Tube Amp Doctor has produced a modern version of the 7025 that's reputed to be quite good. I think there's one of those in my future.
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Post by infant on Jul 3, 2021 3:54:09 GMT
The technician, who builds amplifiers, told me that he sees preamp tubes as having an even bigger influence on the tone quality of an amp. It makes me think that when I have discretionary income, one of the things I want is to replace the new Groove Tube that I had to buy last summer as the only 12AX7 that Long & McQuade had in stock. I've always thought the Groove Tubes stuff was second rate. I've read online that Tube Amp Doctor has produced a modern version of the 7025 that's reputed to be quite good. I think there's one of those in my future. I’ve been using JJ preamp tubes. All 3 amp techs that I’ve used over the last 15 years swear by them. The only tubes I’ve ever had problems with are TADs. I’ve had 2 power tubes crap out on me at different times. Read John Templetons reviews regarding the preamp tubes on the Tube Store website and then read the customer reviews too. It may help you decide. Groove Tubes used to be good until Fender bought the company from Aspen Pittman.
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Post by Die Bullen on Jul 3, 2021 13:11:48 GMT
From what I know about Groove Tubes (correct me if I am wrong), they don't manufacture their own tubes, they basically select tubes and classify/ match them and put their own brand on. So likely they are JJ or SovTek or similar. Nowadays there aren't that many companies that even make tubes.
JJ's work fine but I have had longevity issues with their power tubes in my Dr. Z. In fact when the amp was new the first time I turned it on, 2 power tubes were red plating and Dr. Z replaced them
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Post by infant on Jul 3, 2021 23:31:07 GMT
I’ve only used TAD and Sovtek 6L6 tubes in my Blues Deluxe and the TADs gave me problems while the Sovteks (recommended by my tech) were indestructible and sounded great. My SF Deluxe Reverb came with the original RCA tubes and I later replaced them with Mesa Boogie 6V6. When the MB tubes started acting up, I asked my tech what he recommended and he said Electro Harmonix was a great tube, built like the old RCA and could easily handle high voltages. So when I replaced the 6V6 in my Champ, I threw an EH in there. The EH tubes are made in Russia and so I believe they are rebadged Sovteks.
I have used JJs for my preamp tubes for quite a few years and haven’t had any problems with them going microphonic but I’ve heard of JJ power tubes being a little flakey.
Groove Tubes used to rebadge Sovtek tubes as well as some Chinese tubes depending on how much you wanted to pay and what kind of sound you were looking for. Back then (25 years ago) the only new tubes you could find were either from Russia or China.
These are my own personal opinions and as they say YMMV.
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Post by Die Bullen on Jul 4, 2021 0:15:12 GMT
I’ve only used TAD and Sovtek 6L6 tubes in my Blues Deluxe and the TADs gave me problems while the Sovteks (recommended by my tech) were indestructible and sounded great. My SF Deluxe Reverb came with the original RCA tubes and I later replaced them with Mesa Boogie 6V6. When the MB tubes started acting up, I asked my tech what he recommended and he said Electro Harmonix was a great tube, built like the old RCA and could easily handle high voltages. So when I replaced the 6V6 in my Champ, I threw an EH in there. The EH tubes are made in Russia and so I believe they are rebadged Sovteks. I have used JJs for my preamp tubes for quite a few years and haven’t had any problems with them going microphonic but I’ve heard of JJ power tubes being a little flakey. Groove Tubes used to rebadge Sovtek tubes as well as some Chinese tubes depending on how much you wanted to pay and what kind of sound you were looking for. Back then (25 years ago) the only new tubes you could find were either from Russia or China. These are my own personal opinions and as they say YMMV. Right, I've never had problems with the JJ preamp tubes, just the power tubes
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2021 19:19:37 GMT
Okay, just ordered my new matched quad of TAD 6L6WGC-STR's. I was going to try The Tube Store but they are apparently out of stock, so I ordered from Antique Electronic Supply. Should have them in 2 - 6 weeks via UPS.
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Post by Die Bullen on Jul 7, 2021 19:24:22 GMT
Okay, just ordered my new matched quad of TAD 6L6WGC-STR's. I was going to try The Tube Store but they are apparently out of stock, so I ordered from Antique Electronic Supply. Should have them in 2 - 6 weeks via UPS. Great news- soon your amp will be whole again!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2021 23:44:09 GMT
Okay, just ordered my new matched quad of TAD 6L6WGC-STR's. I was going to try The Tube Store but they are apparently out of stock, so I ordered from Antique Electronic Supply. Should have them in 2 - 6 weeks via UPS. Great news- soon your amp will be whole again! I wonder how it will sound. As I remember, I had been coping with my first round of power tube issues, and I solved that by pulling the inside pair of power tubes. But about the same time, I began having preamp noise that took a while to pinpoint. It turned out to be the 12AY7 in V2. I ended up replacing both V1 and V2 with new Groove Tubes 12AX7's. But by that time, the remaining pair of power tubes in the amp had become leaky. So, I suspect it may be a long time since I've heard it at it's best no tube issues. I'm wondering if the new quad of power tubes and rebiasing, plus two almost new preamp tubes might make it a better sounding amp than it's been for a long time. Maybe I'll be happier keeping it if it suddenly begins to shine again. I'm already kicking myself that I didn't order new TAD 7025's for V1 and V2 preamp positions, but I can do that later if the amp sounds as good as I think it can.
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Post by Die Bullen on Jul 8, 2021 0:36:52 GMT
Great news- soon your amp will be whole again! I wonder how it will sound. As I remember, I had been coping with my first round of power tube issues, and I solved that by pulling the inside pair of power tubes. But about the same time, I began having preamp noise that took a while to pinpoint. It turned out to be the 12AY7 in V2. I ended up replacing both V1 and V2 with new Groove Tubes 12AX7's. But by that time, the remaining pair of power tubes in the amp had become leaky. So, I suspect it may be a long time since I've heard it at it's best no tube issues. I'm wondering if the new quad of power tubes and rebiasing, plus two almost new preamp tubes might make it a better sounding amp than it's been for a long time. Maybe I'll be happier keeping it if it suddenly begins to shine again. I'm already kicking myself that I didn't order new TAD 7025's for V1 and V2 preamp positions, but I can do that later if the amp sounds as good as I think it can. I'm sure it will breathe new life into it- then you won't want to ever sell it!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2021 14:38:54 GMT
I'm extremely pissed off and want to warn everyone about the company I ordered my power Tubes from - Antique Electronic Supply. I just got my Mastercard statement, and it doesn't show my order as being charged yet. I logged into my account at A.E.S. and it describes my order as "processing", but when I check the invoices charged to my account, it says "No invoices found". It's apparent that this company hasn't followed through and shipped my order the same day as they promised......It's now been nine days since the order was placed. I can't recommend them as a good place to deal when they don't appear to be running a professional business that can be depended on.
(Edited to add:) I just spoke to the company by phone and it appears that they didn't have stock at the time I placed the order but had not updated the web page. Now, they can't supply them. I've cancelled the order, told them exactly how unhappy I am and promised to let everybody on every guitar forum I belong to know what a bunch of screwups they are. DON'T Deal WITH ANTIQUE ELECTRONIC SUPPLY - You can't depend on them to complete your order correctly and they'll let you down.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2021 16:14:38 GMT
A quick update.....I cancelled the order with Antique Electronics Supply. It appears that Stewart MacDonald has stock again so I've ordered the power tubes from them. They're being shipped on Monday and I'll have them before the end of next week.
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