Tube Picture Guide

[cheshirecat]

German Made "Siemans" 6CA7/EL34 notice the slimmer glass envelope, single halo getter.  This one labeled for International Servicemaster.  No hole in guide pin on these and all 8 pins present, crimped pates.

[cheshirecat]

Mullard "Shield" logo 5AR4/GZ34 rectifier, the holy grail of GZ34s.  Again, these have the guide pin holes and etched date codes common to Mullard tubes.

[cheshirecat]

Telefunken EL84/6BQ5, like other TFK tubes, this has the <> between the pins on the bottom.

[cheshirecat]

Mullard XF2 Single Halo with welded plates.  This one labeled for Amprex with the orange "world" logo.

[Nick Culbreth]

This Tungsol 6SN7 dates from 1954.  This tube isn't quite as highly regarded as the earlier VT-231 roundplates but they are still very refined with a clear fast sound.

[Nick Culbreth]

I'm not sure on the exact date on this but I believe it dates from the mid 1940s - 1950s.  This version has staggered plates and from what I can tell it is identical to the Ken Rad VT-231.  Overall this tube doesn't have a ton of warmth but it is fairly clean and has wonderfully extended bass.

[Nick Culbreth]

I believe this tube dates from the 1950s but I don't have an exact year.  I haven't had a chance to listen to this tube very much so I can't really comment on its sound.

[Nick Culbreth]

I'm not exactly sure what year this tube was made but I belive it dates from the mid 1950s.  Overall it's a pretty decent tube with a nice warm midrange, though the highs are a bit rolled off.

[Nick Culbreth]

This tube dates from 1945-1950.  It is the same as the Ken Rad 6SN7GT, the only difference is this tube was manufactured for the US military so it was labeled VT-231 which is the military equivalent of the 6SN7.

[Brian Skalinder]

Nick - do you actually own and/or run all these tubes?!?

[Nick Culbreth]

This is a current production tube made in Russia.  Overall it's a pretty decent tube, it sounds a little bit cold but it is very quiet.  This tube would be a good option for high gain applications but wouldn't be as good for tone control.

[Nick Culbreth]

Nick - do you actually own and/or run all these tubes?!?

Yes these tubes are all from my personal stash. 

[Brian Skalinder]

Yes these tubes are all from my personal stash. 

Good God, man!!   

[Nick Culbreth]

This guy is a bit of a mystery to me, it shares a similar structure with the other Sylvania 12AU7A tube I have but the plates are significantly shorter and it has some sort of code under the acid etch.  This tube has a D shaped getter which can be seen in the second picture.  I only have one of these right now so I can't really comment on the sound until I track down a mate for it.

[Nick Culbreth]

Good God, man!!   

I like to keep my options open. 

Really I don't have a ton of tubes, just a few of each variety I need.  As far as I'm concerned it's easier to roll in different tubes than it is to buy new gear when you get tired of the sound.