Mystery 6BQ5 / EL84 tubes

[derekva]

I've got a couple of tubes that appear to be the same manufacturer and test pretty closely. They have the following markings (some others may have been lost to time):

5L 5L
6BQ5 (W)

The (W) above is fully encircled. There are four seams at 90 degrees on the top of the tube. Getter is a standard halo. I've taken a couple of photos but it is hard to see the markings:

I'm guessing these are Westinhouse, but any idea on who made them (since I believe Westinhouse outsourced 6BQ5 to several manufacturers. My assumption since it says '6BQ5' is that it is either US or Japanese-made.

Thanks,

-D

 

[cgoroo]

...reminds me of Matsushita-National 6bq5 tubes...

 

[analog addict]

...reminds me of Matsushita-National 6bq5 tubes...

I'd bet they are Japanese manufacture...

 

[derekva]

...reminds me of Matsushita-National 6bq5 tubes...

I'd bet they are Japanese manufacture...

Perfect for my Roberts 770 project, then. From what I understand, Matsushita are one of the better-regarded Japanese tube manufacturers.

Thanks!

-D

 

[loonze]

I have the same tubes-but marked magnavox-and in micro print-made in japan-they are excellent tubes!

 

[GordonW]

Given that lettering style, I think that those pretty much have to be Matsushita/Panasonic/National tubes. Those were made to Philips tooling standards (so they test and sound similar to Amperex and Mullard tubes).

Regards,
Gordon.