Does anyone REALLY find vintage tube gear at garage sales?!?
- Thread starter Ocean92
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I got a Scott 299A at a church sale for $3 a few years ago. And console stereos are fairly common.
spartanmanor
Lunatic Member
Sure. Best bet is older neighborhoods like the one I live in. My neighboorhood was established in the 20's better still is houses from the 40's and 50's that have estate sales.
Destructor
Super Member
A nice Scott 340B for 15, Mac MA230 for 20. Got both years ago havn't found anything since but I only look if I Happen to drive by a yard sale. The person who sold me the MA230 had no idea what it was (other than an old stereo). It sounded lousy from scratchy controls, aside from that it was in excellent condition.
I bought a Fisher 500C at a garage sale for $3.00 about 3 or 4 years ago. That was before I discovered AK and had any idea what the potential of the 500C is. It is definitely can be restored but I just haven't gotten there yet. I have two other people that said that they have some old Fisher tube equipment that said that they will call me when they find it. Other than that, nothing really worth mentioning that has tubes. Lots of good finds with Solid State and speakers though.
Remember that most people that would have an old piece of tube gear that was long ago forgotten about in the basement would probably think that no one today would want that old junk so you have to ask. Show them pictures of what you are looking for if you want to improve your chances of finding that gem.
Remember that most people that would have an old piece of tube gear that was long ago forgotten about in the basement would probably think that no one today would want that old junk so you have to ask. Show them pictures of what you are looking for if you want to improve your chances of finding that gem.
2DualsNotEnough
Addicted Member
I got a Grundig Majestic console I found at a thrift for $50.Ive also found a Fisher tube integrated amp for $10,a Sansui 1000a for $10,and a little Monarch SA-10 integrated amp for $5,and Ive had to turn down various consoles with tubes in them because I had no way of getting them home.
Thrifts are a good bet,especially the established thrift organizations,because a lot of older people that still have these units will donate them to the Salvation Army,Goodwill,St.Vincent Depaul,or a local church or Soroptomist run thrift.The goodies are out there,you just have to be persistant,and lucky.Also,I never worry about getting there when they open,because these places are putting out new stuff all day,and a lot of times early in the morning,the workers and volunteers are still sorting out the donations from that weekend.
Happy Hunting!
Jimmy
Thrifts are a good bet,especially the established thrift organizations,because a lot of older people that still have these units will donate them to the Salvation Army,Goodwill,St.Vincent Depaul,or a local church or Soroptomist run thrift.The goodies are out there,you just have to be persistant,and lucky.Also,I never worry about getting there when they open,because these places are putting out new stuff all day,and a lot of times early in the morning,the workers and volunteers are still sorting out the donations from that weekend.
Happy Hunting!
Jimmy
markus
Master Procrastinator
a resounding YES : )
Although I've found more tubey stuff at thrift shops & flea market / antique malls, ebay and craigslist.
The last cool piece from a yard sale was a magnavox tube console - what's interesting about this one, is it's an all-in-one. Although it looks like the normal early 60's maggie tube console, it does not have a seperate amp - all the guts are in the radio chassis.
It's basically a tube integrated receiver: AM/FM/Phono with tape input; amp section is a 6BQ5 SE amp :thmbsp:
where are you locate some geographies are better than others for stumbling on tube stuff . . .
Although I've found more tubey stuff at thrift shops & flea market / antique malls, ebay and craigslist.
The last cool piece from a yard sale was a magnavox tube console - what's interesting about this one, is it's an all-in-one. Although it looks like the normal early 60's maggie tube console, it does not have a seperate amp - all the guts are in the radio chassis.
It's basically a tube integrated receiver: AM/FM/Phono with tape input; amp section is a 6BQ5 SE amp :thmbsp:
where are you locate some geographies are better than others for stumbling on tube stuff . . .
Marantz 500
Active Member
As a student, I bought two Dynaco SCA-35 at different yard sales for 10-15 dollars each. Sold both a few years later when I was strapped for cash, but I kind of regret it. Great sound! Still have a Dynaco ST-70/Pas-3, though!
soundmotor
super modified
Last piece I got was an EICO ST-70 for $5 but that was years ago. I've done much better at the town dump & usually 1-2X per month I'll walk out with something. It could be just the tubes pulled from a portable phonograph or something decent like a Fisher integrated. Usually though it is towards the former. The best I've ever gotten there was an Altec mono amp & 600B speaker in a common cabinet.
FalconEddy
Audio Mastering Engineer
Nope, never.
The only thing I've ever seen that used tubes, (and they were all missing) was an old radio that was physically beat to death at a local outdoor flea maket.
. . Falcon
The only thing I've ever seen that used tubes, (and they were all missing) was an old radio that was physically beat to death at a local outdoor flea maket.
. . Falcon
mhardy6647
Lunatic Member
Personally... I do better at the swap pile at our town dump... mostly radios and consoles; no higher-end tube separates yet.
Sput
New Member
Hi, newbie here.
One thing that I've used with success is the ebay distance feature. I'll search for keyword, "console" in a 50 mile diameter of my home. This is also great for big old speakers.
Often these sellers have starting bids at 25 to 40 dollars. That's too much. I contact and within ebay guidelines tell them that "I buy those old consoles at garage sale for 10 to 15 dollars, sometimes $5. If the item doesn't sell I'll give you $15 and drive over to pick it up."
One thing that I've used with success is the ebay distance feature. I'll search for keyword, "console" in a 50 mile diameter of my home. This is also great for big old speakers.
Often these sellers have starting bids at 25 to 40 dollars. That's too much. I contact and within ebay guidelines tell them that "I buy those old consoles at garage sale for 10 to 15 dollars, sometimes $5. If the item doesn't sell I'll give you $15 and drive over to pick it up."
jaynemo
Member
So Help Me with this Roadside Rescue-Fisher console
I saw the original post to this thread and had to chime in. I was on my way to a tag sale about 500 yds down the street after grocery shopping and on my way (mind you about 250 yds from my house) I saw a fairly decent looking cabinet on the side of the road on the sidewalk. I thought it was a book case or something so I passed it by. On my way back from the tag sale I noticed a cord hanging out of it, so I had to stop. I'm definately not a console collector by ANY means, but the cabinet appeared to be of high quality, basically solid rock maple, brass ornamental door pulls, etc. Well I opened it up and the Fisher label jumped right out at me. I knew this one had to something good, as I was familiar with the popularity of the early Fisher receivers. I went and knocked on the door nearest the unit, and asked the lady if they were getting rid of it. Bright eyed in her night gown (this was 7:30 am,) she said yes and asked if I needed a hand loading it. Well the husband came out and lucky I had the wifes minivan off it went. The guy claimed the original owner , had left it in the house he bought almost 25 years ago. He was downsizing and moving again, and had no plans to take it with him on his 5th move.
Well so much for the story, basically this is a Fisher Custom Futura Console. I'm by no means an expert, it appears to be a mono receiver with a J-10 designated chassis, S/N 78651. VERY clean chassis. There is a 15 inch driver, with LS 547 113-C5979 stamped on it, it has a 20 uF cap in parallel with the leads.
Does anyone know the make of the driver?
I consulted a local guy who restores Fisher tube gear, (Urban Audio up here in CT, great guy over the phone) he said it was most likely a Jensen driver.
Well this receiver is off to the bench for sure. Cool item it has a TV AUX jack. Prime evil home theater!
He's been researching this particular piece of gear for some time now, he claimed he cant find any real info on it, but did say it was a very expensive custom ordered console and not many were made.
It has what appears to be a lower to mid-fi phonograph, a Webster (Chicago,Ill) model 140-61. Complete with Janis Joplin LP.
Oh, did I say rescue? About 4 hours later about 2 inches of rain fell over our houses.
I saw the original post to this thread and had to chime in. I was on my way to a tag sale about 500 yds down the street after grocery shopping and on my way (mind you about 250 yds from my house) I saw a fairly decent looking cabinet on the side of the road on the sidewalk. I thought it was a book case or something so I passed it by. On my way back from the tag sale I noticed a cord hanging out of it, so I had to stop. I'm definately not a console collector by ANY means, but the cabinet appeared to be of high quality, basically solid rock maple, brass ornamental door pulls, etc. Well I opened it up and the Fisher label jumped right out at me. I knew this one had to something good, as I was familiar with the popularity of the early Fisher receivers. I went and knocked on the door nearest the unit, and asked the lady if they were getting rid of it. Bright eyed in her night gown (this was 7:30 am,) she said yes and asked if I needed a hand loading it. Well the husband came out and lucky I had the wifes minivan off it went. The guy claimed the original owner , had left it in the house he bought almost 25 years ago. He was downsizing and moving again, and had no plans to take it with him on his 5th move.
Well so much for the story, basically this is a Fisher Custom Futura Console. I'm by no means an expert, it appears to be a mono receiver with a J-10 designated chassis, S/N 78651. VERY clean chassis. There is a 15 inch driver, with LS 547 113-C5979 stamped on it, it has a 20 uF cap in parallel with the leads.
Does anyone know the make of the driver?
I consulted a local guy who restores Fisher tube gear, (Urban Audio up here in CT, great guy over the phone) he said it was most likely a Jensen driver.
Well this receiver is off to the bench for sure. Cool item it has a TV AUX jack. Prime evil home theater!
He's been researching this particular piece of gear for some time now, he claimed he cant find any real info on it, but did say it was a very expensive custom ordered console and not many were made.
It has what appears to be a lower to mid-fi phonograph, a Webster (Chicago,Ill) model 140-61. Complete with Janis Joplin LP.
Oh, did I say rescue? About 4 hours later about 2 inches of rain fell over our houses.
Attachments
VinylHanger
Navigaret ex ironia
My first vintage piece was a Bogen DB10. That led me to AA, which eventually led me to AN which then led me to here and down the slippery slope of audio.
truetone36
electronics packrat
I love consoles (much to my wife's dismay). My Packard-Bell which I use daily
was a curbside find. I also have a 1947 Stromberg-Carlson Model 1235 console which I got at a sale for $20, and the most recent score is 4 consoles
(1 RCA, 1 Packard-Bell, 1 Silvertone, and 1 Crosley) for $25, and another Packard-Bell and a early '70s Magnavox (with 8-track) for free. If I keep bringing these home, my wife's gonna tie me down to the chair so I can't leave the house!!
Dumont-First with the finest in television.:yes:
was a curbside find. I also have a 1947 Stromberg-Carlson Model 1235 console which I got at a sale for $20, and the most recent score is 4 consoles
(1 RCA, 1 Packard-Bell, 1 Silvertone, and 1 Crosley) for $25, and another Packard-Bell and a early '70s Magnavox (with 8-track) for free. If I keep bringing these home, my wife's gonna tie me down to the chair so I can't leave the house!!
Dumont-First with the finest in television.:yes:
