I'm wondering how to approach buying large lots of unidentified tubes. I put an add on craigslist and got some responses, but of course most people want an offer sight unseen. I have bought some large lots in the past (old repair shops) and know that the lion share is usually TV stuff, which isn't really very useful, at least to me. So, what do you guys think a reasonable offer for say 500 tubes would be. I know it's kind of like rolling the dice, but the lure of the tube is great.:D Just looking for ideas on how to approach this. Thanks, Jay

Unless you want to end up with 500 TV tubes id pass. Tubes are one thing I would never make an offer on sight unseen. Even when seen without testing each and everyone one its sometimes not an option.

I agree with Grumpy! I have driven 30 miles to pick up a tubecaddy full of tubes. Turned out to be mostly used and there were only about 5 that were even audio related.

You might have better luck hitting the live auctions in your area. I scored a bunch of NOS 6B4G tubes (and other good ones) that I bought in a lot for around $12!! Then got wind of a garage sale a few days before the fact. It was the adult children of an engineer from the TV station where I worked and they were finally going through the piles of stuff in his old garage. $1 for each boxed tube and $.50 for loose ones....I spent around $100...and wished I had more in the bank at the time! 45s, a 2A3 single plate, etc.

Good luck hunting!

Tom

The only box lots of tubes I ever buy are the ones where I see a couple that are worth more than the asking price. A couple Telefunken 12AX7s in a lot of 30 for $20 is a good example.
Like the guys said, there's lots of old TV tubes out there among other things. I just gave Kegger about 100 I had no use for and probably have another 100 for him here too.

If you don't see something you want, I'd pass.