Jump to content

Amprex bugle boy 12AX7 SOLD


A1UC

Recommended Posts

What's the difference between a Bugle Boy, and a regular Amperex orange globe 12AX7?

 

There are several versions of Amperex Bugle Boys.

 

First clarification: the term "Bugle Boy" is simply a brand name given to tubes produced in the Philips plants - from about 1956ish until 1966. These same tubes also appear with other labels - "Miniwatt", Rogers, Dumont, Monitor, and many others. The Bugle Boy logo is just that - a logo - but what defines the tube is the acid etched codes that pinpoint what the tube is and when and where it was made.

 

The 12AX7s in question - the Philips/Holland manufactured ones - go in chronology like this:

 

Mid 1955ish until 1958 - 17mm plate, D getter. Coded MC1 through MC6.

 

1959-1962 - 14mm plate with large round O getter. There are several "series" of these tubes - I60, I61, I63, I65.....and those are just the ones that I am aware of and own.

 

1662 1966 - 14mm plate small O getter, I 65 codes.

 

1967-about 1970 - 14mm plate with small O getter, no longer with Bugle Boy logo (usually globe logo or other name brand) coded I65

 

1970ish moving forward until mid 70's - dimple disc getter, I66 coded IIRC.

 

ALL of these tubes were manufactured in the Philips plant Heerlen, Holland, designated by the "delta" code on the second line of the acid etched coding near the base of the tubes..

 

These tubes all possess a similar "house sound", but the earliest are best in terms of detail and imaging. The later you go, the details get lost a little bit - although I think they are all very good tubes and beat all current production. Can't go wrong with any of 'em, really. My favorites are the 1959-1962 14mm large O getter - still have great detail and imaging, but have more low end slam than the others. The 17mm longplates are the best vocal tube ever made.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

What's the difference between a Bugle Boy, and a regular Amperex orange globe 12AX7?

 

There are several versions of Amperex Bugle Boys.

 

First clarification: the term "Bugle Boy" is simply a brand name given to tubes produced in the Philips plants - from about 1956ish until 1966. These same tubes also appear with other labels - "Miniwatt", Rogers, Dumont, Monitor, and many others. The Bugle Boy logo is just that - a logo - but what defines the tube is the acid etched codes that pinpoint what the tube is and when and where it was made.

 

The 12AX7s in question - the Philips/Holland manufactured ones - go in chronology like this:

 

Mid 1955ish until 1958 - 17mm plate, D getter. Coded MC1 through MC6.

 

1959-1962 - 14mm plate with large round O getter. There are several "series" of these tubes - I60, I61, I63, I65.....and those are just the ones that I am aware of and own.

 

1662 1966 - 14mm plate small O getter, I 65 codes.

 

1967-about 1970 - 14mm plate with small O getter, no longer with Bugle Boy logo (usually globe logo or other name brand) coded I65

 

1970ish moving forward until mid 70's - dimple disc getter, I66 coded IIRC.

 

ALL of these tubes were manufactured in the Philips plant Heerlen, Holland, designated by the "delta" code on the second line of the acid etched coding near the base of the tubes..

 

These tubes all possess a similar "house sound", but the earliest are best in terms of detail and imaging. The later you go, the details get lost a little bit - although I think they are all very good tubes and beat all current production. Can't go wrong with any of 'em, really. My favorites are the 1959-1962 14mm large O getter - still have great detail and imaging, but have more low end slam than the others. The 17mm longplates are the best vocal tube ever made.

 

This was a 162 Series

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

What's the difference between a Bugle Boy, and a regular Amperex orange globe 12AX7?

 

There are several versions of Amperex Bugle Boys.

 

First clarification: the term "Bugle Boy" is simply a brand name given to tubes produced in the Philips plants - from about 1956ish until 1966. These same tubes also appear with other labels - "Miniwatt", Rogers, Dumont, Monitor, and many others. The Bugle Boy logo is just that - a logo - but what defines the tube is the acid etched codes that pinpoint what the tube is and when and where it was made.

 

The 12AX7s in question - the Philips/Holland manufactured ones - go in chronology like this:

 

Mid 1955ish until 1958 - 17mm plate, D getter. Coded MC1 through MC6.

 

1959-1962 - 14mm plate with large round O getter. There are several "series" of these tubes - I60, I61, I63, I65.....and those are just the ones that I am aware of and own.

 

1662 1966 - 14mm plate small O getter, I 65 codes.

 

1967-about 1970 - 14mm plate with small O getter, no longer with Bugle Boy logo (usually globe logo or other name brand) coded I65

 

1970ish moving forward until mid 70's - dimple disc getter, I66 coded IIRC.

 

ALL of these tubes were manufactured in the Philips plant Heerlen, Holland, designated by the "delta" code on the second line of the acid etched coding near the base of the tubes..

 

These tubes all possess a similar "house sound", but the earliest are best in terms of detail and imaging. The later you go, the details get lost a little bit - although I think they are all very good tubes and beat all current production. Can't go wrong with any of 'em, really. My favorites are the 1959-1962 14mm large O getter - still have great detail and imaging, but have more low end slam than the others. The 17mm longplates are the best vocal tube ever made.

 

Now this isithe type of thing that should be up in 2 Channel, aka, the good old days.

 

Great info  Audible and thanks for sharing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...