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Sylvania 2 hole and 3 hole BAD BOYS - DIFFERENCE???

ken99

ken99

Active Member
Is there a difference between the Sylvania 2 hole and 3 hole BAD BOYS?? Are they the exact same tube?? Anybody have any particulars on the differences if any (other than looks)?

I have one 2 hole and one 3 hole bad boy and was wondering if I could use them as a pair?

thanks
ken99
 
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I think posting a tube number might help you get an answer... I dont know of any vintage tube called "the bad boy"
 
I am going to be using a pair of 6SN7 tubes and a pair of 12SN7 tubes. I can use either or with a switch that changes the power to the tube socket.

later,
ken99
 
Rant warning...

The whole concept of the "Bad Boy" is ridiculous. It was created by someone who happened to have a certain type of Sylvania 6SN7GT in his stock and wanted to enhance the resale value of them. If you buy the hype, ONLY the "3 hole" plates qualify it as a "Bad Boy". Great. So now out know how to overpay for a Sylvania 6SN7 GT.

Just get the 1950's era VT-231 Sylvanias and you will pay less and get more ;)
 
Skylab said:
Rant warning...

The whole concept of the "Bad Boy" is ridiculous. It was created by someone who happened to have a certain type of Sylvania 6SN7GT in his stock and wanted to enhance the resale value of them. If you buy the hype, ONLY the "3 hole" plates qualify it as a "Bad Boy". Great. So now out know how to overpay for a Sylvania 6SN7 GT.

Just get the 1950's era VT-231 Sylvanias and you will pay less and get more ;)
Click to expand...

Catchy names. I been preaching for years the benefits of a series light bulb in the power line for starting up old equipment vs a variac. If a short occurs, no damage & the light goes bright. The concept did not catch on until someone came up with 'dim bulb tester' phrase. Go figure.
 
Last edited:
Skylab said:
Rant warning...

The whole concept of the "Bad Boy" is ridiculous. It was created by someone who happened to have a certain type of Sylvania 6SN7GT in his stock and wanted to enhance the resale value of them. If you buy the hype, ONLY the "3 hole" plates qualify it as a "Bad Boy". Great. So now out know how to overpay for a Sylvania 6SN7 GT.

Just get the 1950's era VT-231 Sylvanias and you will pay less and get more ;)
Click to expand...

Agreed. Another hole in the plate (or one less :D) will not any difference in the sound, unless there is something wrong with the tube itself.
Just listen and enjoy! Don't waste your time chasing hype.
 
If you want to get technical about it, you can run completely different brands and styles of tubes as long as they have the same number and have the amplifier work just fine. it was very common years ago to see mismatched output tubes, and other tubes replaced with whatever the store or repairman had in his caddy. The rare exception would be if you took your set to an authorized dealer that stocked that brand of tube. For example, my 1953 Philco TV had an almost complete re-tube in 1956 with Philco branded tubes. The only non-Philco tube in there is one I installed.
 
Iteresting Brent Jessee confirmation of your findings!

Thanks people! I was just curious. While rooting around on the Internet tonight I found this info on the Brent Jessee site which confirms your answers above:

6SN7GT / G:
This is the original version of this tube. It may be found in all three sizes of glass envelope. The Sylvania Tall Boy types have two triangular shaped plates facing each other mounted high in the tube, with either a top or bottom getter. Later GT versions were in a medium glass envelope with a green label and blackplates with bottom getter, sometimes called the "Bad Boy" 6SN7, and are sought after for their excellent sonics. The Bad Boy tubes are virtually identical to the military VT-231 from the early 1950s and are currently a less expensive alternative, but this could change as the Bad Boy fad catches on! A side note about Bad Boys, there were versions with 2 rivet holes in each plate, and versions with 3 holes. Both types sound identical. Don't fall for the bogus story that only the 3 rivet hole types are the true "Bad Boys"! You will miss out on some great sound from the 2 hole type, since the 3 hole versions are more difficult to find, more expensive elsewhere, and don't sound any different! I suspect the "3-hole only" story got started by my competition to justify charging a higher price for these tubes!

Here is the URL:
http://www.audiotubes.com/6sn7.htm

thanks
ken99
 
sony6060 said:
Catchy names. I been preaching for years the benefits of a series light bulb in the power line for starting up old equipment vs a variac. If a short occurs, no damage & the light goes bright. The concept did not catch on until someone came up with 'dim bulb tester' phrase. Go figure.
Click to expand...

The dim bulb tester is a good way to do it on the cheap... I use my metered variac its much quicker and I never have the change a bulb :D
 
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