• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Tubes with no apparent getter flash?

whoaru99

whoaru99

Epic Member
I have some 6V6GT tubes that on cursory inspection (they're still a little dusty) appear to have no getter flash/silvery coating.

I've seen a tube that lost vacuum where the flash turned white, I've seen tubes where the slivery layer is thin/scant, or started to turn brownish, but in these there appears to be none. No silvery layer, no white, no brown, no rainbowing, no nothing.

Is that possible? Are there some brands of tubes that do not have the characteristic silvery coating inside?

(Don't know the mfg., but they are branded Hammond)
 
Register to hide this ad
Do they even have getters?

I know RCA clear tops have a getter, but it's right close to the glass on the side and the flash tends to blend in with the plate ... many have a small enough flash that it's hardly noticeable.

Picture?

PS ... take a close look at the base. Looks like some have a bottom getter, and there's a LOT of glass hidden by the bottom cap.
 
Are there visible getter frames in the tube and where are they located? If they are down near the base the flash may be small and in the base so not visible. I've had some like that. If however you can see the frames at the top and no flash, I have no clue.
 
soundmotor said:
Are there visible getter frames in the tube and where are they located? If they are down near the base the flash may be small and in the base so not visible. I've had some like that. If however you can see the frames at the top and no flash, I have no clue.
Click to expand...

I believe there are some small disk-looking do-dads way down in the base.
 
I havnt see EH 6v6's in person but they look like the getters are down in the base also.
 
After a bit of cleaning and close look, they're not little disks down there, more like D or square/rectangle getters.

And it does look like there is a bit of silver adjacent to them but it's real hard to see clearly.

EIA code is RCA (274), date code 59-48 (or maybe 43) on all four.
 
I've seen bottom getter 6V6GT's before. Looks odd. Some of the later ones are coin base so its easier to see the bottom flash.
 
I also have some of those clear 6V6GT's and at closer inspection, the getter flash is indeed at the bottom. It is hard to see as it is covered by the base. I am currently using them in my Hammond JR-20 tone cabinet. Maybe I can get a good pic of one in a little bit.

The worse that could happen is they just won't work unless they happen to have an internal heater to cathode short or some such thing. Oh, I shouldn't have told you that! :eek: :D
 
Yeah, I believe that's what the amp was from. It's monoblock parallel push-pull 6V6GT. No reverb, just a basic amp. Not even a gain stage, per se, just a balanced input 6SN7 driver tube and the quad of 6V6.

They look like nice tubes. More research says they'd probably be called "RCA oval black plate, with double D getters".
 
Last edited:
I have read where not all getters are flashed,there is something called a pill getter,I have never seen one in person

el34.jpg
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom