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6bq5 maker identification

W

wally1956

Active Member
i have these 3 tubes that I found in a Dynaco SCA 35 and I'm trying to find a matching tube to make a quad, the thing is I can't figure out what company made them. There are no markings on them to say they are 6bq5 but I tested them on my TV-7 tester as 6bq5 and they test as that tube as good, close matching and the shorts test is like other 6bq5 that I've tested. They were in the amp when I got it so I'm pretty sure that's what they are.
I can barely make out what I think used to say "Realistic" on one of the tubes. They have gold colored pins. The tube bottle itself is wider than any usa, german, british or japanese 6bq5 I have on hand, my russian made tubes are the same width, could they be russian? The plates are crimped, folded over together instead of holes punched through that I usually see. Anyone recognize them ?
 

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wally1956 said:
i have these 3 tubes that I found in a Dynaco SCA 35 and I'm trying to find a matching tube to make a quad, the thing is I can't figure out what company made them. There are no markings on them to say they are 6bq5 but I tested them on my TV-7 tester as 6bq5 and they test as that tube as good, close matching and the shorts test is like other 6bq5 that I've tested. They were in the amp when I got it so I'm pretty sure that's what they are.
I can barely make out what I think used to say "Realistic" on one of the tubes. They have gold colored pins. The tube bottle itself is wider than any usa, german, british or japanese 6bq5 I have on hand, my russian made tubes are the same width, could they be russian? The plates are crimped, folded over together instead of holes punched through that I usually see. Anyone recognize them ?
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Most of the Realistic branded tubes I've seen were foreign manufacture - often Russian or Japanese.

The plate structure does look unique with the crimp on one side only. I don't recall seeing that before. The wider bottle often indicates Russian but don't they mostly have the "flying saucer" getter rings?

Finding a matching one might be difficult. I'd probably just keep those as spares and buy a new quad.
 
they don't look Russian to me, at least not any Russian / Soviet 6BQ5 I've ever run across. Those usually have a "flying saucer" type getter.

Seimens maybe?
 
Possibly a Realistic "Lifetime" tube, given the gold plated pins. Not sure who would have made it as Realistic used several manufacturers for their tubes. Look closely for a stamping between the base pins. If one exists, that would help identify it.
 
Some of the Russian Reflektor 6bq5 types have a halo getter. In the first picture you can just make out what looks like the Reflektor symbol?, on the center tube.
 
Thank you everyone for helping me out. I was also thinking "Realistic Lifetime" tubes myself from the golden pins and the barely visible label from which I can only maybe make out "Rea..", and I was thinking Japanese manufacturer too. I've looked at lots and lots of pics over the months on and off, but so far have not been able to find an example that matches mine.
The tube that looks to have the remnants of a Reflektor label is just some crud on the glass, and no markings on the bottom of any of them.
Looks like they are kind of unusual, but there must be more than just these three on the planet. I think I'll find out eventually what they are if I keep on looking .
 
I think I found them. RFT made them . I found two pics looking very similar to mine. Mystery solved.
 

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Yes they surely are RFT.You can identify them by the wide space between their mica tips touching the inside of the glass,and the usually dim , pale, almost "corroded" copper wire inside.
I have some RFT's ,but not with gold pins. Very good 6BQ5's.Still possible to find at reasonable prices.
 
^ Correct, I found this little blurb out on the interwebz

?RFT stands for Rundfunk- und Fernmelde-Technik - a group of state-owned technology companies in the former German Democratic Republic (East Germany)"
 
wally1956 said:
i have these 3 tubes that I found in a Dynaco SCA 35 and I'm trying to find a matching tube to make a quad, the thing is I can't figure out what company made them. There are no markings on them to say they are 6bq5 but I tested them on my TV-7 tester as 6bq5 and they test as that tube as good, close matching and the shorts test is like other 6bq5 that I've tested. They were in the amp when I got it so I'm pretty sure that's what they are.
I can barely make out what I think used to say "Realistic" on one of the tubes. They have gold colored pins. The tube bottle itself is wider than any usa, german, british or japanese 6bq5 I have on hand, my russian made tubes are the same width, could they be russian? The plates are crimped, folded over together instead of holes punched through that I usually see. Anyone recognize them ?
Click to expand...
Your best bet is to get a quad of perfectly matched quad. JJ EL84 works very well in this amp.
 
I agree, trying to find that one tube that matches my three would definitely be frustrating. If I found one that matched looks wise it would probably not match where it matters, playing nicely with the other three. If one should happen to pop up for sale, and it was not to expensive, I would take the chance and buy it,... and most likely regret it.
Fortunately I don't need a matched quad at the moment. I just thought it would be cool to have them all looking the same. I looked up the JJ's ... now I wonder where they are made. Thanks for all the help.
 
Any knowledge or guesses on the mfg of this 6BQ5? Getter-frame shape is a new one on me.
 

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