jimjimbo Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Hey guys, I will be attending a sale in my area that apparently has a rather large amount of vintage radios and tubes that will be available, as well as several what look to be fairly comprehensive tube testers. I acknowledge that my question may be rather broad, but regardless, I am wondering if there are any particular highly desirable tubes I should keep an eye out for, and/or specific manufacturers that would be generally considered good quality. Also would be great to know what to stay away from.... Unfortunately not able to assess anything or preview prior to the sale, so I'll be walking in relatively blind other than my own extremely limited knowledge and anything I receive here. Any help at all is appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakeydeal Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 6922, 7308 (particularly Mullard and/or Telefunken) 6SN7s Mullard or Phillips EL34s (original version) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick J B Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Jim, NOS tube sellers will give you an idea of what to be on the lookout for. http://www.nostubestore.com/ http://www.audiotubes.com/nos.htm http://www.hitestguitars.com/ http://www.tubemonger.com/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tube fanatic Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 A few things to consider: If the person was mostly into radios, and not audio equipment, it's unlikely that you will encounter any rare audio tubes. It's more likely that you may come across some 6V6s, 6K6s, 6F6s, and so on, as these were used in the better quality radios. In addition, since you will be buying tubes that are presumably untested and not guaranteed, spending more than a minimal amount (i.e. a dollar or two at most) for each would be a mistake. Even tubes which look like pristine NOS may not be, may have open filaments, shorts, etc. In the event that you are allowed to test the tubes on one of the testers you mentioned, keep in mind that the testers may be out of calibration and show tubes as being good when they are not. At auctions, tubes are usually sold in box lots. So, if you can pick one up for a few dollars, take the chance and post what you found. Unfortunately, there are too many potentially useful audio type tubes to provide you with a comprehensive list. Good luck, though! Maynard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimjimbo Posted October 22, 2014 Author Share Posted October 22, 2014 A few things to consider: If the person was mostly into radios, and not audio equipment, it's unlikely that you will encounter any rare audio tubes. It's more likely that you may come across some 6V6s, 6K6s, 6F6s, and so on, as these were used in the better quality radios. In addition, since you will be buying tubes that are presumably untested and not guaranteed, spending more than a minimal amount (i.e. a dollar or two at most) for each would be a mistake. Even tubes which look like pristine NOS may not be, may have open filaments, shorts, etc. In the event that you are allowed to test the tubes on one of the testers you mentioned, keep in mind that the testers may be out of calibration and show tubes as being good when they are not. At auctions, tubes are usually sold in box lots. So, if you can pick one up for a few dollars, take the chance and post what you found. Unfortunately, there are too many potentially useful audio type tubes to provide you with a comprehensive list. Good luck, though! Maynard thanks very much, that is very helpful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigStewMan Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 I am wondering if there are any particular highly desirable tubes I should keep an eye out for Fee Waybill is quite entertaining, and Roger Steen is a highly underrated guitarist. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimjimbo Posted October 22, 2014 Author Share Posted October 22, 2014 Jim, NOS tube sellers will give you an idea of what to be on the lookout for. http://www.nostubestore.com/ http://www.audiotubes.com/nos.htm http://www.hitestguitars.com/ http://www.tubemonger.com/ thank you Rick! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimjimbo Posted October 22, 2014 Author Share Posted October 22, 2014 I am wondering if there are any particular highly desirable tubes I should keep an eye out for Fee Waybill is quite entertaining, and Roger Steen is a highly underrated guitarist. very helpful, thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike stehr Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 I am wondering if there are any particular highly desirable tubes I should keep an eye out for Fee Waybill is quite entertaining, and Roger Steen is a highly underrated guitarist. Quay Lewd! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimjimbo Posted October 23, 2014 Author Share Posted October 23, 2014 I am wondering if there are any particular highly desirable tubes I should keep an eye out for Fee Waybill is quite entertaining, and Roger Steen is a highly underrated guitarist. Quay Lewd! sorry, but I don't get it, and honestly don't appreciate the BS.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigStewMan Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 (edited) I am wondering if there are any particular highly desirable tubes I should keep an eye out for Fee Waybill is quite entertaining, and Roger Steen is a highly underrated guitarist. Quay Lewd! sorry, but I don't get it, and honestly don't appreciate the BS.... yeah, i gathered that from your first post which is why i didn’t respond any further as i meant no offense. Fee Waybill and Roger Steen are members of the band The Tubes. I don’t know if your BS comment is directed at me or Mike Stehr; so i’ll leave it at that. So, if it’s me that you’re pissed off at--i apologize. Edited October 23, 2014 by BigStewMan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimjimbo Posted October 23, 2014 Author Share Posted October 23, 2014 Not necessarily pissed off, just annoyed. And annoyed at the fact that it's not just my post, but many others, and particularly some folks that are new here and coming for advice, that find their threads filled up with random, useless crap that has no bearing on the original query. Sorry if I sound cranky, but I am, because it seems to be getting worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigStewMan Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 (edited) Fair enough. I won’t add to your frustration by participating in any more of your posts. This is a community and not strictly a technical forum. Many of us are friends and joke around as friends do. Sorry you don’t feel the same way … or at least about me. Regards. Edited October 23, 2014 by BigStewMan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimjimbo Posted October 23, 2014 Author Share Posted October 23, 2014 Well, I did post in the Technical and Mod section, not the Lounge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick J B Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 Jim, NOS tube sellers will give you an idea of what to be on the lookout for. http://www.nostubestore.com/ http://www.audiotubes.com/nos.htm http://www.hitestguitars.com/ http://www.tubemonger.com/ I would thick if you had a fair idea on the preamplifier, drive tubes and rectifiers tubes used for audio amps and pre amps plus what the guitar boys like in their rigs too. thank you Rick! I am wondering if there are any particular highly desirable tubes I should keep an eye out for Fee Waybill is quite entertaining, and Roger Steen is a highly underrated guitarist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skelt Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 7199s are no longer being produced altho there is a replacement requiring an adapter. EL34s with metal based bring quite a premimum EL84s are also popular Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 partial quick list of common sought after audio tubes Output tubes KT88, 6550, EL34, 6L6, EL84, 6BQ5, 7591, 7868, KT66, 2A3, 300B Preamp small signal tubes 12AX7, 12AU7, 12AT7, 5751, 6201, 5814, 7247, 6DJ8, 6922, 7308, 6U8, 6GH8, 6BL8, 7199, 6SN7, 6SL7 Rectifiers 5AR4, 5U4, 5R4, GZ34, GZ32, GZ33, GZ37, 12X4, 6X4, EZ81 Maynard's advice is right on the money. If you see a lot of tubes with some of the above in it and you can get it cheap why not! But realize that most of them will be worthless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang guy Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 (edited) I have been looking for a single Mullard EL37. I have 3 of the 4 I need. Very hard to find, and pricey. Edited October 23, 2014 by mustang guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike stehr Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 Fair enough. I won’t add to your frustration by participating in any more of your posts. This is a community and not strictly a technical forum. Many of us are friends and joke around as friends do. Sorry you don’t feel the same way … or at least about me. Regards. I'll do the same. My apologies. Quay Lewd was a stage name that Fee Waybill used in the band The Tubes. I'm a Tubes fan, so when BigStewMan mentioned Fee Waybill I replied with his stage name. Whatever...you can do a Google search for "most desirable audio tubes" and get your answer... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audible Nectar Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 I have been looking for a single Mullard EL37. I have 3 of the 4 I need. Very hard to find, and pricey. They aren't necessarily hard to find - that certain auction site does have them - but you are correct that they aren't cheap. NOSValves's list is pretty comprehensive, and he and Maynard give good advice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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