Andy Nathan checks out a Stromberg-Carlson PA amplifier during the clearance sale at Groove Tubes in San Fernando this week. The business was sold to Fender Musical Instrument Corp. in June. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
Mark Sampson, left, and Groove Tubes founder Aspen Pittman sort out tubes in the company’s warehouse. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
The gear at Groove Tubes includes a vintage Blaupunkt stereo radio. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
Alan Stevens, 52, shops at Groove Tubes in San Fernando. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
Vacuum tubes powered lots of electronics before being rendered nearly obsolete by transistors. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
Boxes of tubes line the floors at Groove Tubes. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
Groove Tubes founder Aspen Pittman, 60, grew the business he started in 1979 with $8,000 into a company that sold to nearly 2,000 U.S. retail outlets. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
