Visit China

Question:

I just posted this to rec.audio.tubes as well. I’m hoping that one of you Tube Wizards can help me out here. I recently paid a visit to the local Radio Supply shop and picked up what NOS tubes he had. I came away with 3 NOS 12AX7s. These and two RCAs I had laying around the house just went into my amp. I also picked up some 6L6GCs. I got two Sylvania 6L6GCs and two tubes that were in boxes marked IEC Mullard 6L6GC. I have just been told that Mullard never made any 6L6GC tubes, and that what I had were probably Russian. Now I don’t know for sure what these are, but I doubt that they are Russian. They are in some rather old ratty cardboard boxes. In any case, I’ve posted some pictures of these little beasts at: http://www.cybermages.com/Mystery_6L6_Tubes.htm Warning for those with a phone modem; the pictures are pretty big, with links to some very large pictures. I would appreciate any help anyone could give me in identifying these. Also, I would love to try these out in my amp just to hear what they sound like, but they are not matched pairs. The guy in the radio supply shop said that as since they are from the same manufacturer, they should be fine, but I have my doubts. I wouldn’t want to risk the tubes or my amp. So what’s the consensus? Not a good idea? Thanks in advance for any help. Z

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I just posted this to rec.audio.tubes as well. > I’m hoping that one of you Tube Wizards can help me out here. I recently > paid a visit to the local Radio Supply shop and picked up what NOS tubes > he had. I came away with 3 NOS 12AX7s. These and two RCAs I had laying > around the house just went into my amp. I also picked up some 6L6GCs. I > got two Sylvania 6L6GCs and two tubes that were in boxes marked IEC > Mullard 6L6GC. I have just been told that Mullard never made any 6L6GC > tubes, and that what I had were probably Russian. Now I don’t know for > sure what these are, but I doubt that they are Russian. They are in some > rather old ratty cardboard boxes. In any case, I’ve posted some pictures > of these little beasts at: > http://www.cybermages.com/Mystery_6L6_Tubes.htm > Warning for those with a phone modem; the pictures are pretty big, with > links to some very large pictures. > I would appreciate any help anyone could give me in identifying these. > Also, I would love to try these out in my amp just to hear what they > sound like, but they are not matched pairs. The guy in the radio supply > shop said that as since they are from the same manufacturer, they should > be fine, but I have my doubts. I wouldn’t want to risk the tubes or my > amp. So what’s the consensus? Not a good idea? > Thanks in advance for any help. > Z

The octagon is often associated with RCA, but there’s no concensus on this, some Tung Sols have it too ….. I don’t see Made in USA on it. I have some 6L6GCs marked "England" that are Kudos to you for not crossposting 8^) dw

Response:

… > Thanks in advance for any help. … > The octagon is often associated with RCA, but there’s no concensus on

this, some Tung Sols have > it too ….. I don’t see Made in USA on it. I have some 6L6GCs marked "England" that are > Kudos to you for not crossposting 8^)

I believe they are RCA blackplates, and desirable. __ Steve .

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I just posted this to rec.audio.tubes as well. > I’m hoping that one of you Tube Wizards can help me out here. I recently > paid a visit to the local Radio Supply shop and picked up what NOS tubes > he had. I came away with 3 NOS 12AX7s. These and two RCAs I had laying > around the house just went into my amp. I also picked up some 6L6GCs. I > got two Sylvania 6L6GCs and two tubes that were in boxes marked IEC > Mullard 6L6GC. I have just been told that Mullard never made any 6L6GC > tubes, and that what I had were probably Russian. Now I don’t know for > sure what these are, but I doubt that they are Russian. They are in some > rather old ratty cardboard boxes. In any case, I’ve posted some pictures > of these little beasts at: > http://www.cybermages.com/Mystery_6L6_Tubes.htm > Warning for those with a phone modem; the pictures are pretty big, with > links to some very large pictures. > I would appreciate any help anyone could give me in identifying these. > Also, I would love to try these out in my amp just to hear what they > sound like, but they are not matched pairs. The guy in the radio supply > shop said that as since they are from the same manufacturer, they should > be fine, but I have my doubts. I wouldn’t want to risk the tubes or my > amp. So what’s the consensus? Not a good idea? > Thanks in advance for any help. > Z

Light blue lettering on white boxes ??   If so, I use to sell these (in retail electronics) in the early 70’s, and they VERY likely weren’t from Russia (or China) in those days.  I’d guess ‘em to be either Brit or US, more likely US and made by GE or Sylvania or RCA….said withOUT seeing the pic’s or lookin’ at ‘em at all….. I’m just surmising what the source would be for west-coast-sold replacement tubes in the early 70.  These were sold to TV repair guys as well as audio guys. Basically a relatively-less-expensive (not "name-brand labelled") replacement tube line….and I think they used the "Mullard" *name* to make ‘em sell better. Maybe your’s are quite different ?  ’Hope this somehow helped. Regards, Greg H.

Response:

>I believe they are RCA blackplates, and desirable. >__ >Steve

Agreed, they are one of the varieties of RCA black plates. Tim A great amp can make a lousy guitar sound great. A lousy amp will make a great guitar sound lousy.

Response:

> Tim > A great amp can make a lousy guitar sound great. > A lousy amp will make a great guitar sound lousy.

You’re fuckin’ right mate, I’m rockin my Marshall with a $100 (second hand, needed a lot of tweeking) guitar, but it sounds just really great!

Response: