tube FAQ or identification sticky
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Thatch_Ear
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That is a tuff one because there were so many relabeled tubes made. I have seen Mullards labeled RCA and Sylvanias as Phillips and Amperex made in Holland, US and Japan.
RCA tubes typically have the tube type in a box with beveled corners, GE etched theirs and Sylvania had a unique style of lettering.
There are date codes, factory codes all kinds of stuff that is maybe worth knowing.
JAN tubes still in the boxes are best on giving info.
Ordering just by a number can get you about anything. Westinghouse labeled tubes made in Yugoslavia, some guitar suppliers slap labels on anything from Russia or China or so I had heard. Groove Tubes I think is what I was hearing a lot of bitching about a couple of years ago.
The 7868s in Fishers were made by Sylvania, but RCA made some too that have smooth tops while the Sylvanias had the little glass nipples. Etc and so on.
It can drive you crazy but it is a lot of fun.
RCA tubes typically have the tube type in a box with beveled corners, GE etched theirs and Sylvania had a unique style of lettering.
There are date codes, factory codes all kinds of stuff that is maybe worth knowing.
JAN tubes still in the boxes are best on giving info.
Ordering just by a number can get you about anything. Westinghouse labeled tubes made in Yugoslavia, some guitar suppliers slap labels on anything from Russia or China or so I had heard. Groove Tubes I think is what I was hearing a lot of bitching about a couple of years ago.
The 7868s in Fishers were made by Sylvania, but RCA made some too that have smooth tops while the Sylvanias had the little glass nipples. Etc and so on.
It can drive you crazy but it is a lot of fun.
I guess you're right. I was just thinking of something maybe like tubes you bought that were rips. I had a pair of Orange globe Amperex that turned out were Japan relabels. Something to do with the holes in the plates. Being knew to tubes I have trouble sometimes deciding whether or not to drop the hammer on some. I guess I'll just post about them as I find them.
Thanks,
md
Thanks,
md
