| Re: Buying Amps on eBay [message #99792 is a reply to message #69262] |
Mon, 14 September 2026 13:50  |
Clint
Messages: 53
Registered: December 2025
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Baron |
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Yeah I’ve grabbed a few tube amps off eBay. Some were solid, a couple needed work pretty quick.
I would say that brand and specs only get you so far. I check the seller’s feedback first—lots of sales and good ratings in audio stuff helps. Then I stare at the photos. I want to see the insides if they’re showing them, the tubes, any obvious wear or junk. If the listing is sparse I just message the guy and ask what’s up with the tubes, if it’s been worked on, does it hum, any weird noises. Decent sellers usually reply.
Still a gamble though. Caps go bad, tubes get tired, stuff like that. I’ve had ones that looked perfect and still needed a re-cap once they showed up. So I usually figure I’ll spend a little more getting a tech to look it over, especially on older ones. If the price is too good I get suspicious.
Specs tell you the basics but the real sound comes down to condition and the tubes more than anything. I just try not to get burned and accept that sometimes you’re still fixing things.
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