Have I been duped?

[racktifier]

This is my first foray in the NOS tube market. Take a look at these listings:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&it em=360127480708

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&it em=360127486638


On hindsight, I should have paid closer attention to the pictures
But I can't help but feel that there has been some misrepresentation here. Should I kick up a fuss with the seller?

[bunuel]

It's not clear to me from the auctions why you feel duped. Is there something wrong with the tubes?

[TwoTubMan]

With the pictures in the auctions, I personally would not have bid.

[racktifier]

I thought I was buying telefunken and mullard 12ax7s. But upon delivery I find that they are all labelled "fisher". The seller makes no mention of this any where in his listings.

[svenhoek]

The 2nd auction said Mullard "type" tubes. Still rather dodgy. 1st auction totally implies Telefunken as the brand.

They have high + feedback and will undoubtedly refund your money. Though maybe you should hear how they sound first?

[kimock]

Originally Posted by racktifier

I thought I was buying telefunken and mullard 12ax7s. But upon delivery I find that they are all labelled "fisher". The seller makes no mention of this any where in his listings.

I've got plenty of Teles that say fischer. It's just oem stuff.
Look for a little embossed diamond on the bottom of the tube in the middle of the pins. Diamond=Telefunken. Ignore the ink.

The Mullard plates and getters were described correctly, I think you're fine.
Those pics were pretty bad, but those looked like smooth plate Tele's to me.


Signed, his mom.

[racktifier]

thanks everyone, as always, for the advice :AOK

the teles do have the embossed diamond so I guess they are bona fide oem tubes. Ignore the ink and listen with my ears, I shall!

[SatelliteAmps]

Fisher is a hifi company, that used primarily Telefunken tubes. Fisher would re-screen the tubes to have their logo's on them.

[NativH]

Relabels are the same tube as the ones with Telefunken or Mullard ink on the glass. They do go for less than the real Mullard/Tele labeled tubes but you didn't pay the price of a Mullard label IMHO. It really is all about the sound and you probably got that for sure. FWIW, Mullard labeled I63 short plates should go form $50-$100 each depending on their condition. You got away much better than that. Those preamp tubes should last you a long long time, even though they are used. Guitar amps just don't put much if any stress on a 12AX7.

[bunuel]

1+ ignore labels, pay attention to production codes, key features like the embossed , tube construction, and o' course tone.

[SatelliteAmps]

+1 and remember that they are pulls, and might be microphonic, dead, or just old and tired sounding. Pay accordingly.

[Jahn]

Originally Posted by SatelliteAmps

+1 and remember that they are pulls, and might be microphonic, dead, or just old and tired sounding. Pay accordingly.

Bingo, that's what I would watch out for most. Even if they test high still, they could be microphonic. That's just one of many issues you might have with pulls.

[Blue Strat]

Originally Posted by Jahn

Bingo, that's what I would watch out for most. Even if they test high still, they could be microphonic. That's just one of many issues you might have with pulls.

... or even brand new tubes.

[soldano16]

I usually feel OK buying from someone who is 100% positive on 7,000 deals.