Tube ID
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BrassTeacher
Uncurable Tweaker
Dunno, but these are RTFs - (Both overstamped ARS), both showing the RFT logo:
Now, RFT did obviously use yellow ink, but of course, so did Raytheon. I think DDR considered themselves "Germany), and did not use the word "East" on anything, so that's a clue in favor. But, two clues against are the white ink, and the location of the ECC83 marking. Does the top of the tube close into an "X" like Mullards usually do? If so, it's probably Phillips. If not, could be Siemens. Of course, Raytheon would have left the word "East" off if they were from RFT, but I doubt any US tube maker would import from East Germany, much less a known military contractor. So, I'm going with Siemens or Phillips.
On the big code list I found for European tubes, which was amazingly thorough, the manufacturer mark "K" was followed with a question mark, so that must be a marking Raytheon used. Sorry can't be of more help.
Now, RFT did obviously use yellow ink, but of course, so did Raytheon. I think DDR considered themselves "Germany), and did not use the word "East" on anything, so that's a clue in favor. But, two clues against are the white ink, and the location of the ECC83 marking. Does the top of the tube close into an "X" like Mullards usually do? If so, it's probably Phillips. If not, could be Siemens. Of course, Raytheon would have left the word "East" off if they were from RFT, but I doubt any US tube maker would import from East Germany, much less a known military contractor. So, I'm going with Siemens or Phillips.
On the big code list I found for European tubes, which was amazingly thorough, the manufacturer mark "K" was followed with a question mark, so that must be a marking Raytheon used. Sorry can't be of more help.
Dswankey
Lunatic Member
@BrassTeacher i do see an X seam at the top of tube.
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BrassTeacher
Uncurable Tweaker
Then, I'm definitely going to go with Phillips
(That is, unless the filaments flash brightly on power up!)
Or re-labeled Matsushita made. Tubes got relabeled with all kinds of manufacturers and countries of origin, by the 1970-90s.
EL504
Active Member
In my experience many ECC83's manufactured by Philips (so in one of the production sites in The Netherlands) do flash brightly on power up.Then, I'm definitely going to go with Phillips
(That is, unless the filaments flash brightly on power up!)
You would be surprised at the stuff that showed up in US military inventory in the dying years of the US tube manufacturing industry. I've seen plenty of clearly Soviet tubes that had been relabeled for US manufacturers and military inventory.
dogscanskate
Super Member
There were a few german tube makers back then: Siemens, Valvo, RFT... If there is a code etched on the tubes, there are places like this where you can try to identify them : http://www.tube-classics.de/TC/Tubes/Valvo ECC83/ECC83.htm. That's kind of the fun part about finds, they get to tell a story.
Most of the German tube makers besides Telefunken were subsidiaries of Phillips. I've seen other Phillips tubes marked as being made in assorted places, but the codes don't jive with that. Stuff marked Holland but the codes are England, etc.
Looks like I see some traces of the etch codes directly below the K18 printed on the side. They are usually fairly small and dark grey so it can be hard to make out.
Looks like I see some traces of the etch codes directly below the K18 printed on the side. They are usually fairly small and dark grey so it can be hard to make out.
Radiotechnique (Philips licensed plant), French made. 1970 (or 80). August (8th month)?
RFT ecc83 look totally different. very distinctive plate structure that resembles ecc81.
@Mr Boochie interesting.....Good, bad or meh tube??
Matsushita made fine tubes. In fact, most Japanese-made tubes of the 1960-70s are good tubes.
@Mr Boochie Now im confused...Who made it, French made Philips or japan Matsushita???
