Bret said:
Except that I don't. In fact I NEVER junked out ST70s for guitar amps
because as I have repeatedly said the ST70 transformer is a poor
choice for that purpose. In fact i've put in other transformers into
Sunn amps, which used Dyna iron from the factory, specifically because
of that.
Also, old ST70s are no longer cost effective for parts use. As I have
also said.
I HAVE junked out Scotts and Fishers which were landfill bound
anyway, for guitar amp use. Again, no longer cost effective.
I gotta wonder how valuable this old tube audio gear would be if
oriental buyers did not exist.
These guys have actually altered my buying pattern at swaps. In the
past, If I saw a junky piece of tube gear suitable as a parts donor, I
would pass it by and then pick it up on my second go-round the swap to
avoid interrupting the first go-round, which I do rather quickly to
catch any items which tend to sell early and quick. It was a reasonable
certainty that the junky item(s) that I spotted would still be there on
my second-go-round, because they were junk and only good for parts.
I can't do that anymore. It seems that almost anything with a hefty
high-voltage trasformer, output transformer or choke goes quickly now,
regardless of condition. If I want it and don't buy it right away, I
won't get another chance, because it will already be sold. The buyers I
am competing with are almost always oriental-the caucasian attendees
seem to pass 'em right by.
I'm not being prejudiced here, nor am I whining. At a swap meet, it's
every man for himself, and if somebody gets something that I want before
I do, more power to 'em. It's just strange that those of a particular
ethnicity would find more value in this old equipment than the rest of us.
-Scott