• 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

What a find!

S

SpyderTracks

Super Member
A work colleague of mine unfortunately recently divorced and so has just moved into his own place not too far from me.

He's an audio nut as well, and once he's settled wants to build a system with a good record player and valve amp.

His father and grandfather were both big amateur audio people also, and had valve radios and various bits.

He was clearing out the attic and came across this box full of unknown state old original Mullard and Pinnacle (not familiar with them) valves that have just been collecting dust in his attic for 25 years.

He knows they have value, but with all he's gone through, he just hasn't got the patience to go through cleaning them and testing them and then arranging any kind of sale, which I totally get, it's quite an adjustment for him.

So he knew of my musical endeavors and that I had a valve amp and mentioned he had a few old ones that I could have if I wanted. I of course jumped at the idea, with the hope there may be some original Mullards.

And then tonight he's just dropped this off!!! I can't even guess how many are in here, but I put the mouse next to it for some perspective, there's got to be over 200 easy. They're very dusty, need a good gentle clean with contact cleaner, and I'm not certain what exact model they are yet or weather I'll be able to use them in my amp, but if I can't, I'll clean them up and find a good home for them. Of course, a lot of them will have leaked, but that's unavoidable.

But there's even the actual original specification manuals from Mullard in there. Real bit of history.

20220531_194739.jpg
 
Register to hide this ad
SpyderTracks said:
A work colleague of mine unfortunately recently divorced and so has just moved into his own place not too far from me.

He's an audio nut as well, and once he's settled wants to build a system with a good record player and valve amp.

His father and grandfather were both big amateur audio people also, and had valve radios and various bits.

He was clearing out the attic and came across this box full of unknown state old original Mullard and Pinnacle (not familiar with them) valves that have just been collecting dust in his attic for 25 years.

He knows they have value, but with all he's gone through, he just hasn't got the patience to go through cleaning them and testing them and then arranging any kind of sale, which I totally get, it's quite an adjustment for him.

So he knew of my musical endeavors and that I had a valve amp and mentioned he had a few old ones that I could have if I wanted. I of course jumped at the idea, with the hope there may be some original Mullards.

And then tonight he's just dropped this off!!! I can't even guess how many are in here, but I put the mouse next to it for some perspective, there's got to be over 200 easy. They're very dusty, need a good gentle clean with contact cleaner, and I'm not certain what exact model they are yet or weather I'll be able to use them in my amp, but if I can't, I'll clean them up and find a good home for them. Of course, a lot of them will have leaked, but that's unavoidable.

But there's even the actual original specification manuals from Mullard in there. Real bit of history.

View attachment 2581731
Click to expand...
Be careful cleaning them. Some brands have markings that can easily be wiped off and I certainly wouldn't use contact cleaner on the body of the tube. I sometimes use isopropyl alcohol diluted with water and Q Tip cotton swab and I always try to avoid the labelled area unless I'm sure it's not one of the types that will rub off.

It's better to have a dusty tube than a clean one which can't be identified because the lettering has been rubbed off.

When you say "a lot of them will have leaked", I assume you mean they may have lost their vacuum. Actually, that's relatively rare and it's obvious because the silvery "getter" material turns white and flaky when that happens.

Hopefully, you'll find at least a few that are useful for audio. Make a list and post it.
 
Cool story and cool friend for hooking you up with all those tubes aka valves.

Can you share more about that Mullard manual? I'm curious as to what info is in it other then what you already mentioned.

What types are the Mullards? 12AX7's? etc
 
FlaCharlie said:
Be careful cleaning them. Some brands have markings that can easily be wiped off and I certainly wouldn't use contact cleaner on the body of the tube. I sometimes use isopropyl alcohol diluted with water and Q Tip cotton swab and I always try to avoid the labelled area unless I'm sure it's not one of the types that will rub off.

It's better to have a dusty tube than a clean one which can't be identified because the lettering has been rubbed off.

When you say "a lot of them will have leaked", I assume you mean they may have lost their vacuum. Actually, that's relatively rare and it's obvious because the silvery "getter" material turns white and flaky when that happens.

Hopefully, you'll find at least a few that are useful for audio. Make a list and post it.
Click to expand...
Thanks, that's really useful, yes, I would only use contact cleaner on the pins themselves, I'm not worried about the glass too much, will wipe away any excess but embedded stuff can remain.

I'm very new to tubes, so any pointers are greatly appreciated.

Dswankey said:
Cool story and cool friend for hooking you up with all those tubes aka valves.

Can you share more about that Mullard manual? I'm curious as to what info is in it other then what you already mentioned.

What types are the Mullards? 12AX7's? etc
Click to expand...

So just on first glance, these look pretty old 50's and 60 models. But they're not the standard audio tubes I'm used to, from what I'm reading they were more for Radio's and TV's.

We've got some:

Mullard EBF 80 (actually produced in Holland by Phillips despite the Mullard branding)

Mullard EF184

30FL2/1

PCL85

Those are just some I've looked at on the surface, but there's so many here, it's going to take a while to root through them all

There are 3 little books, all Mullard ones, they appear to list each model and their electrical properties and pinouts

20220531_205658.jpg

20220531_205801.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom