Don't deal with this company!

[drhulsey]

As you all know, Rubycon caps (22/25's and 10/100's) are scarce as hen's teeth and very desirable to those trying to build an exact TW replica. I was searching for parts and came across Panther Parts (North Hollywood, CA) on the web. Rubycon was listed as one of their suppliers. I emailed them and was given a phone number to call. I told the salesman I was looking for these Rubycon caps, that I knew they would be NOS, and would he check his inventory. He said these caps were "general purpose" and he was sure they had caps that would work if there were no Rubycon's. I explained about the TW amps and why I wanted only Rubycons. He called back later to say, "We've got 'em." I was elated No, I was ecstatic They were pricey at $4+ each, but I ordered 20 of each.
When my package arrived, I opened it to find 22/25's, navy blue and light blue and looked like the Rubycons, but the 10/100's were tan and black and labeled IC. Closer inspection of the small 22/25's revealed the Nichicon label!
When I called them, the salesman said, "I told you they would be 'equivalent.'" Not so We had an extensive discussion about replicating TW amps, the fact that Rubycons were no longer made, and that I was looking for NOS caps. When I mentioned returning the caps and getting a refund to my credit card, he sad he would have to "talk to some people."
I am shipping the caps back, and with a proof of return of merchandise, can cancel the credit card payment. Save yourself the trouble

[Allynmey]

That guy is a scum! I talked to him a few months ago about a WBR 20-500 CDE cap. He said he had 4 and they were $25 ea! I asked why so high and he said "100 minimum order" So I said "I'll buy more stuff, I'm always looking for a new dealer" He said that's great! they are still $25.00ea and if youdon't like it screw" and hung up!

He should be out of business!

[geetarpicker]

I also called Panther because their search engine showed some original Mallory PVC612 .02 @ 600v caps in stock. They told me something like $27 per capacitor, and I repeat PER capacitor. They also were not very friendly on the phone.

I then searched some more and found the same capacitors (same quantity, and probably the same exact caps on a different site's search engine) for about $.83 each so I bought plenty. This other company (www.pcipci.com) was actually the vendor that warehoused them and even went out into the shop and checked the date codes for me and to confirm they were exactly as decribed. They even had them sorted into two piles, one from 2002 and from 2007. Apparently the reason was that the 2002 parts were pre Rohs certification. Hows that for detail? They were also nice on the phone too.

[drhulsey]

and if you don't like it...

He wasn't quite that harsh with me, but the components he sent me could be had from Mouser for 23 and 35 cents each. I was willing to pay more for a few NOS Rubycons, but not for readily available parts This was my first experience with a dealer that doesn't care whether you get the right stuff or not. I just EXPECT that people will be honest with me
Glen, thanks for the mention of PCI. It sounds like they can be trusted. I'll have to bookmark their site.

[Hotrod Ford]

Its so sad to hear stuff like this !

more companys that not only offered bad customer treatment but also ripped people (me) and other fellow amp builders,
both has recieves funds but not delivered any goods, and after years of waiting by now ( many attempts have been made to contact them and finally when you got hold of them they assured that they will ship,
but no dice and one bad ecscuse after the other,
I heard so many stories about these two companys below!

Shinrock transformers
( I believe he now also offers Dumble type speaker cabs under a new name in Germany also, I already heard similar stories about hard to contact and so on ) he told me earlier on that he was diagnosed with cancer and that was the reason for not shipping out , and I felt sorry for the guy,
but now on his Shinrock site he states that it is his little daughter that is diagnosed with cancer, hmm ??

Ampwares I know lots of stories, about the same thing here, BEWARE of his online ordering,

[drhulsey]

Well, I sent the merchandise back to Panther Parts at my expense. I've been tracking it with UPS. It was delivered today, and they REFUSED TO ACCEPT IT I have discussed all this with the credit card company and will be forwarding the UPS tracking information to them. What a crock Could they make it any more difficult

['67_Plexi]

As you all know, Rubycon caps (22/25's and 10/100's) are scarce as hen's teeth and very desirable to those trying to build an exact TW replica. I was searching for parts and came across Panther Parts (North Hollywood, CA) on the web. Rubycon was listed as one of their suppliers. I emailed them and was given a phone number to call. I told the salesman I was looking for these Rubycon caps, that I knew they would be NOS, and would he check his inventory. He said these caps were "general purpose" and he was sure they had caps that would work if there were no Rubycon's. I explained about the TW amps and why I wanted only Rubycons. He called back later to say, "We've got 'em." I was elated No, I was ecstatic They were pricey at $4+ each, but I ordered 20 of each.
When my package arrived, I opened it to find 22/25's, navy blue and light blue and looked like the Rubycons, but the 10/100's were tan and black and labeled IC. Closer inspection of the small 22/25's revealed the Nichicon label!
When I called them, the salesman said, "I told you they would be 'equivalent.'" Not so We had an extensive discussion about replicating TW amps, the fact that Rubycons were no longer made, and that I was looking for NOS caps. When I mentioned returning the caps and getting a refund to my credit card, he sad he would have to "talk to some people."
I am shipping the caps back, and with a proof of return of merchandise, can cancel the credit card payment. Save yourself the trouble

I'll hopefully make life a little easier here.
I've serviced several original TW's (actually have 2 right now) and the best sounding Express amp I worked on was fitted with Sprague TVAs as cathode bypass caps. The one on V1b was 25uF 25V, the one on V1a was 25uF 50V (he must have run out of 25V caps). Before me, the last person inside this amp was Kenny in 2001 to fit a new base plate (according to his note inside the amp and the owner).
It was also fitted with a mixture of Clarostat and AB pots (all RV4 mil spec) and both V1 grids used sheilded cable.
I replaced a really noisy Valvo 12AX7 (with another Valvo) and a broken feedback resistor. Incredible amp.
For the record, this amp had never had any parts replaced since it was built except the resistor I fit and obviously the new base plate.
This particular amp was the best Express that I've ever played.

I guess my point is...don't get too hung about certain things, KF didn't. All that time trying to find obsolete parts could have been used enjoying an amp with parts that are available easily today.

[LeftyStrat]

I guess my point is...don't get too hung about things, KF didn't.

Thanks for sharing that! I guess we all get a little caught up by parts selection sometimes. Ken could build something off my bench with parts I have on hand and make something killer. An inexperienced builder could use $25 dollar a piece caps and still come up with a turd. Dumble used a ceramic cap which we all know is inferior (http://members.aol.com/sbench102/caps.html)

My mantra comes from the master himself "Use your ears."

['67_Plexi]

I guess my point is...don't get too hung about things, KF didn't.

Thanks for sharing that! I guess we all get a little caught up by parts selection sometimes. Ken could build something off my bench with parts I have on hand and make something killer. An inexperienced builder could use $25 dollar a piece caps and still come up with a turd. Dumble used a ceramic cap which we all know is inferior (http://members.aol.com/sbench102/caps.html)

My mantra comes from the master himself "Use your ears."

There are good quality ceramics and they do have their place. Silver Micas are usually brighter, ceramics tend to be darker.
I always find it funny when people call ceramics grainy.....I assume people make an association with the physical feel of a material to the tone. Ceramic...hard, gritty, grainy. Silver-precious metal, must be better.
In general SM's are actually notably more unreliable. I use no SM's in my own amp line, all sprague ceramics for pF caps.

[LeftyStrat]

I always find it funny when people call ceramics grainy.....I assume people make an association with the physical feel of a material to the tone. Ceramic...hard, gritty, grainy. Silver-precious metal, must be better.
In general SM's are actually notably more unreliable. I use no SM's in my own amp line, all sprague ceramics for pF caps.

Or the color, orange is bright, yellow is mellow, mustard is more mellow than yellow. Blue is good for a blues amp. Black works for metal.

['67_Plexi]

I always find it funny when people call ceramics grainy.....I assume people make an association with the physical feel of a material to the tone. Ceramic...hard, gritty, grainy. Silver-precious metal, must be better.
In general SM's are actually notably more unreliable. I use no SM's in my own amp line, all sprague ceramics for pF caps.

Or the color, orange is bright, yellow is mellow, mustard is more mellow than yellow. Blue is good for a blues amp. Black works for metal.

LOL...you got it bro !!!!

Sensory cross-talk !!

[dartanion]

One of the best sounding amps that I have built was using an old HiFi amp and whatever parts I had on hand. It has been my main gigging amp for a few years, but now I am playing my wreck type builds I think I have about $200 invested in my MUTANT18, but it sounds like a million bucks. It's loaded with high buck parts from Nichicon, Rat Shack, Koa Spear, and xicon. It has also been running a used pair of 1962 Mullard EL84s that I got for $15.

It doesn't have to be expensive or rare to sound good. If Ken had built 100,000 Wrecks, would the mystique still be there?

[lastwinj]

It doesn't have to be expensive or rare to sound good. If Ken had built 100,000 Wrecks, would the mystique still be there?

prob not.

germ

[lastwinj]

i deal with them all the time. he can be a bit abrasive, Melvin, but he is a straight shooter, at least in my dealings with him. He is definitely one of those "Time is money" guys, like Steve at angela.

bummer about your dealings.

the bias cap, 10uf 100v, wont make one bit of difference what brand you use.

germ

[benoit]

It doesn't have to be expensive or rare to sound good. If Ken had built 100,000 Wrecks, would the mystique still be there?

prob not.

germ

If he built 100000 amps the mystique still be there, but it would be tied to the fact that no human being should be able to hand-wire 100000 amps... roughly 5.5 a day for 50 years that would be.