Ebay A3801 thread

[Cliff Schecht]

Figured we could have a thread dedicated to A3801 sales found on Ebay. This one is only at $39 right now and is located in Seattle.

http://cgi.ebay.com/STANCOR-35-WATT-OUT ... tronics_R2

[lumox0013]

exellent idea!! thanxx cliff

[Cliff Schecht]

Still $39+shipping, so about $50 total. Not that expensive for the vintage version this transformer. The two I have are this vintage style with the 250 Ohm and 500 Ohm secondary taps (don't think the modern version KF used had these). I love 'em, they really sound great.

I've had good luck with old Stancor stuff. Even in bad shape the leads are usually recoverable. I've never owned a bad one.

[rdjones]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0658704703

On it's way to Nashville ...

This auction went for WAY higher than I thought it would given that the auction description did not contain the words "Trainwreck" (or "vintage", "rare", etc.)

rd

[selloutrr]

over $200 for a used transformer is nuts, but you paid for the lead length and bright colors. most have faded so bad are cut so short they really need to be redone.

If you buy a transformer with short leads heybear is willing to redo the leads. It's not cost effective but can be done if you are set in your ways like me. The cost is about $100.

I've been buying A-3801's off craigslist over the last couple years for under $100 each. Seems to be a small surplus floating around the boston area.

remember 2 years ago when ebay iron was under $100, the good 'ol days.
I'm guessing most of the bidding is among forum members. it might be a smart idea to all be friends and communicate so the bidding can stay low. for example.... tom, dick, hairy and duck all want the same iron, they draw straws and choice Tom goes first. then the others don't outbid him and the winning bid is much lower then the next time it's dock's turn. just saying, outside of a trainwreck the transformer is not highly sought after.

[dynaman]

Y'all want to see the prices go through the roof, don't you?

Incidentally, a local fella approached me years ago about building him two Expresses. I had no idea what they were until someone pointed me to this forum. Without doing much research, I simply copped the schems and made my own boards and layout. Since these were budget builds, I used whatever trannys I had on hand.....a pair of old 3801s. I really had no idea they were the most appropriate OTs possible for these amps. I think the most I ever paid for a 3801 was about $45 about four years ago on Ebay. Had I known, I would have saved them all to sell them here!!

[Cliff Schecht]

I've always been curious as to what popular Stancor transformers I've collected were used in actual end products. I've never found any actual devices with Stancor's OT's attached, just the occasional filament or PT. I'm not complaining mind you, most of my Stancor stuff is NOS/unmolested from the 50's and were kept in basements for 60 years. I just put a set of A3310's to use in a hifi amp and found a brand new A3800 which I'm going to figure out something for. I guess I'm just a big fan of the old Stancor stuff, they look and sound consistently great.

[selloutrr]

From what I've found in searching for the correct power transformer was that Stancor in the 50's became Essex Stancor by the 70's and then had a cross reference for the A-3801 with Allied transformers in the mid 70's. I haven't been able to find the Allied transformer yet but i'm sure it'll just be a matter of time before one surfaces.

[Richie]

There are a few. Merit also has a 3801. The old RCA books in the data of tubes suggested certian transformers to use with some of their tubes. Many listed were the A-3801. There are also alot more out there that are just as good if not better. Thordarson,Haldorson,Merit, then on to many used in old tube amps. Console radios to things like that.
I've had and tested quite afew different ones in the Wreck type amps.

The Pacific and heboyers are really nice transformers. As others will also work.

[Cliff Schecht]

One thing I am yet to do is actually try different transformers in the Express. I've never heard another Express or clone in person and all I have to go on is my ear. With that said, I think my Express sounds pretty darn good .

[rdjones]

over $200 for a used transformer is nuts, but you paid for the lead length and bright colors. most have faded so bad are cut so short they really need to be redone.
= = = = =
I'm guessing most of the bidding is among forum members. it might be a smart idea to all be friends and communicate so the bidding can stay low. for example.... tom, dick, hairy and duck all want the same iron, they draw straws and choice Tom goes first. then the others don't outbid him and the winning bid is much lower then the next time it's dock's turn. just saying, outside of a trainwreck the transformer is not highly sought after.

Tranny appears brand new, "NOS". I don't see a date code though.

The price was high, but when compared to what Mercury stuff goes for
it's not quite that bad, for the real authentic thing.

For the sake of the keeping prices reasonable going forward, I agree
that it's not a good idea to bid things up so far. Ebay had really pushed
the whole "vintage" thing way beyond realistic levels, and not just
musical instruments.

rd

[selloutrr]

on average i can find anything offered on ebay for 45% less on craigslist and know i'm not going to be outbid by a last second computer program.


the worst part about ebay are the fees the seller gets hit with in how they post, i've lost items to sellers out bidding me or trying to drive up the cost because they are to cheap to post a reserve. other refuse to sell it for less then they hoped to get. Craigslist is great you find it contact them figure out the details meet, exchange on with life.

I agree the values are out of check with reality for most things. but the ecomony falling out has been awesome for buying great gear for pennies on the dollar. studio gear, amps, and guitars are a steal.

[rdjones]

Here's another one on eBay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/110586835621

Apparently older than the '70s version I got recently.
It has the riveted metal tag as opposed to the yellow sticker mine has.

Anyone know anything about dating these, such as when they stopped
using the metal tag ?

rd

[Cliff Schecht]

All of my old Stancor iron is from the late 50's/early 60's. My 3801's look nothing like that one though. Must be early 50's vintage and is unmolested to boot. Maybe not KF approved for age reasons but a cool find nonetheless!

[selloutrr]

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