Help Identifying a strange "GE" 12AU7A/ECC82

[jgriffter]

Hi,

Hoping to get some help identifying a tube from the experts here!

It's a GE 12AU7A marked "Made in West Germany" and also appears to have the stenciled tube markings you see on military tubes. On the bottom there is an etched "12" in the glass. Also the gray plates have one hole on the right and two on the left. Four copper rods, twin mica, O getter. GE lettering is "LD 188".

I thought it might be Siemens but can't ID it for sure. Hoping to get some insights. I have other GE 12AU7s that are Mullards and Mazdas so I know they sourced from other manufacturers.

Thank you!

 

[Dswankey]

Give the link below a try, it might help.

Tube Classics

Click on any of the pics and it will enlarge it.

 

[Mr Boochie]

This is a GE (USA) made 12AU7A.

 

[Dswankey]

^ I initially thought that too however and not be argumentative just curious is all why would GE have "Made in West Germany" labeled on it?

 

[Mr Boochie]

^ I initially thought that too however and not be argumentative just curious is all why would GE have "Made in West Germany" labeled on it?

Many tubes got relabeled "Made in..." a country they were not made in.


Russian-made "Made in England," 5AR4.


Chinese-made "British made" GZ34.

 

[jgriffter]

Thanks for the insights. I was thinking that it might be a GE but the plate structure is different than what I am used to seeing with GE (this one has 2 slots one side, one slot other side). The "made in West Germany" printing threw me. Also I know that some GE's marked "made in West (ern) Germany) can be Siemens or Telefunken, though this one does not have the Tele symbol on the base. I attached a picture of the plate structure. Different looking GE 12AU7 then the others I have which are one hole plates each side and wider middle plate size.

 

[Mr Boochie]

Thanks for the insights. I was thinking that it might be a GE but the plate structure is different than what I am used to seeing with GE (this one has 2 slots one side, one slot other side). The "made in West Germany" printing threw me. Also I know that some GE's marked "made in West (ern) Germany) can be Siemens or Telefunken, though this one does not have the Tele symbol on the base. I attached a picture of the plate structure. Different looking GE 12AU7 then the others I have which are one hole plates each side and wider middle plate size.

The acid-etched dots and font style gave it away. I have never seen that on any other tubes.