Discovered a new source for old tube equipment

[gui_tarzan]

There is a company called Comprenew in Grand Rapids, MI. They have four locations throughout the area and carry computers, stereos, TVs and other electronics that have been salvaged from wherever.

Today I made the trip (90 minute drive from my house) and went to three of the stores. I picked up two oscilloscopes, a Clairtone "Project G" chassis, a "The Fisher 200" complete stereo and a nice looking organ amp chassis, all for under $150. They are all as-is, probably need repairs but doggone, for the money I couldn't have done any better with this lot.

[gui_tarzan]

There was also a mid-'60s Gibson amp that I would have scarfed up had it not been almost $400 and said "smokes" on it. For a hundred, MAYBE two, I would have.

[gui_tarzan]

By the way, that organ amp has the same blue molded caps that we all love in the Fender BF amps.

[edit] Pics!

The organ amp is laid out perfectly for a stereo setup so that's what that will become. The Fisher stereo works on one channel in stereo, both outputs work in mono. I already downloaded the service manual so hopefully it's nothing major.

[Stevem]

Old cathode ray tube color TVs have some great PTs for big builds, lotsa current!
Even the black and white ones, but some of them had series filaments so you need a seperate trans to power those, but for 10 bucks or less its not a issue if you have the real estate on the chassis!

[gui_tarzan]

Pics added to previous post.

[randalp3000]

I have a friend who goes there quite often. I'm only a half hour away but never have time to go.

[gui_tarzan]

Isn't their new store right there in Holland?

[randalp3000]

Isn't their new store right there in Holland?

I'll have to look into that, thanks

[Cliff Schecht]

How much was the Fisher? Those don't pop up so often!

[dorrisant]

Is this only a brick and mortar type store? No browsing and buying via the web?

Tony

[randalp3000]

I went lookin' this mourning but couldn't find it. I might try again tomorrow.

[dorrisant]

Is this only a brick and mortar type store? No browsing and buying via the web?

Tony

[gui_tarzan]

Correct, no inventory online. There's one on 28th st, one on Division, one on Northland and the store in Holland.

http://comprenew.org/e-stores/

Neither of the scopes work, the units power up but there's nothing on the CRTs. Oh well, it was worth a shot. Maybe I can fix them some day. One is a Bell & Howell, the other is a Tektronix 465.

The Fisher works but in stereo mode only one side has sound. In mono mode they both work. It's ok but certainly nothing like the Pioneer tube stereo I fixed several months ago.

[Bob S]

The Tektronix 465 is a good scope - worth fixing as long as it's nothing too disastrous wrong with it. They were the cat's meeow back in the day.

[gui_tarzan]

I was able to find the service manual for it so when I get some time I'll see if I can fix it.

Here are the blue molded caps from the Thomas organ chassis. Between that and the Clairtone tube stereo chassis I have enough pieces to make a nice stereo amp finally.