Tung Sol Date Code Question

[bokat57]

Hi

I have 4 tung sol 6v6gt reissues. My question is the two sets of numbers on the base below the Tung Sol brand name. Are these date codes ?

The numbers on the 4 tubes are :

12 03
12 04
14 04
14 04

Can someone Please tell me what these numbers represent ?

Thanks :thmbsp:
Bob

 

[WobblySam]

Well, they sure look like date codes. If they were ICs it would indicate the 3rd and 4th week of 2012 and the 4th week of 2014. But they probably represent March and April of '12 and '14.

I'm not sure what standard, if any, the current tube manufacturers use - perhaps they will respond to an email request for specifics.

 

[byoungman1]

Yep, Tung-Sol (Sovtek) has been using that month/year date code since the early 1990s.

 

[bokat57]

Well, they sure look like date codes. If they were ICs it would indicate the 3rd and 4th week of 2012 and the 4th week of 2014. But they probably represent March and April of '12 and '14.

I'm not sure what standard, if any, the current tube manufacturers use - perhaps they will respond to an email request for specifics.

Yep, Tung-Sol (Sovtek) has been using that month/year date code since the early 1990s.

Thanks for the good information. I think just for the heck of it I will email Tung Sol. If they respond with the definitive answer I will post on this thread and share it.

Thanks :thmbsp:
Bob

 

[bokat57]

Hi Guys

According to New Sensor Customer Service (Sovtek, Tung Sol) the numbers on the tube and I quote directly from the email :

"The numbers on the base of the tube are the date code. The first two digits indicate the year of manufacture and the last two digits indicate the month"

I know byoungman1 is thinking to himself that's what I said but I thought no harm in taking WobblySam's advise and get it right from the source.

Anyway you guys answered my question !

Thanks :thmbsp:
Bob