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Post subject: Re: Sad news for tube nuts
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 2:06 pm
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Ok, sorry about crappy blackberry pictures:

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Image

I dont see the OTK stamp on them. Underneath Made in Russia it says: 9836.


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Post subject: Re: Sad news for tube nuts
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 2:18 pm
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It's a Svetlana. Made 36th week of 1998. Certain "selected" versions had the light gold lettering, while others had white or even black lettering. The "selected" were the ones (I believe) that passed the OTK inspection for military use.

The quality of the guts are the same. Just that the OTK selected those that met certain military standards. And has nothing to do with blasting your neighbor doing "Crazy Train" at 3am.

You have the real thing. BEWARE of any "Svetlana" or "SED" label tube with black plastic base. No dimples. And non-welded plates. Really, you plug in a real Svet (=C=), bias it, and you will hear the difference almost immediately compared to other brands.

Try to get another new pair, while they are still available. Too many dang Fender amp owners out there doing the same thing.

Good hunting!


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Post subject: Re: Sad news for tube nuts
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 2:42 pm
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Will definitely hunt another pair now that I know. Good info, thank you. They were in my Bandmaster when I bought it so no credit for me.

Listen to this, I have this guy at work, heard me talking about amps and tubes, little did I know, found out his father was an electronics repair man in the 50's and he says he left him crates of tubes and he didnt know what to do with them. So I told that some of those may be worth their weight in gold, waiting for him to bring me some. I made him a list of common tubes we use in amps, I'll have to make him an offer, should have told them they were worthless right? Apparently he has thousands in his basement...


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Post subject: Re: Sad news for tube nuts
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 3:00 pm
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If you were not so honest... you'd offer him $50 to get them off his hands. I can see loads of black plate RCA 6L6GC and TungSol 5U4GB's. Not to mention RCA 7025's.

Ok, I won't torture you, anymore. :mrgreen:


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Post subject: Re: Sad news for tube nuts
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 3:07 pm
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I know, I keep telling him to bring me a few. He will sell to me before anyone else though.

Anyway, found Svetlana's from 1999 but they each have a Ruby sticker on the brown base, does that check out? Ruby is just the tube seller putting his sticker on the base right?


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Post subject: Re: Sad news for tube nuts
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 3:44 pm
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Ruby, like Sovtek, Mojo, Tungsol and Mullard RI, Electro-Harmonix, TAD, etc are just relabelers. They do not make the tubes. There are only a few plants in Russia, Czech Republic, Yugoslavia, and China actually making tubes. The re-labelers may select from the best of the crop. Or even place a special order in for a "special requirement" tube.

As long as that Ruby meets all the internal structure, as well as extrenal features of the Svetlana (SED). It's prolly made at the St Petersburg plant. Do you have a link to the ad?

Check out this old VTV post on tube makers. All of the US plants are currently closed.

http://www.vacuumtube.com/Mfg.htm


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Post subject: Re: Sad news for tube nuts
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 4:14 pm
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Here's a picture of the tubes for sale, a matched quad for $65:

Image

The ad reads:

"For your consideration is one used matched set of four Svetlana 6L6GC vacuum tubes. These have all tested good with no shorts or leaks. Readings on a B&K 700 Mutual Conductance Tester measured the tubes at 84, 85, 85, and 87. The tubes are labeled Svetlana Electron Devices Inc. 9921. Each has a proprietary Ruby label with TC readings of 3200, 3000, 3200, and 3100. PC readings are all 41. I believe these date from 1999."


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Post subject: Re: Sad news for tube nuts
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 4:24 pm
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I have a matched quartet of Ruby-branded Svetlana's in my '78 Twin Reverb, installed ten years ago this month. The amp still sounds fabulous and delivers solid performance. I think they're great tubes.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Sad news for tube nuts
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 4:37 pm
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Man, they coulda put those labels on a bit straighter. They ARE Svetlana, seemingly are from 21nd week of 1999.

However, looking a bit closer, the far left and right tube MAY have tilted alignment with the base. Often, there is no issue with this. But, you may want to email the seller and make sure you can get refund, if an issue arises.

Most sellers will give you a 10-15% discount on well-testing, "tilted" tubes. Even very old NOS 1950's tubes.

Tube testing numbers are nearly useless for power and rectifier tubes. Unless they are near or at DOA. Both types need to be tested in amps. Run at real life voltages and currents. Not to say that these are bad tubes. But, don't put a lot of faith in tube tester numbers in power tubes & rectifiers.

NOS quad for $65, is a good price. I just paid $125 for a set of 1998 quads. Good luck on your deal!


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Post subject: Re: Sad news for tube nuts
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 4:45 pm
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I know what you mean, I have a very old RCA tube that's crooked as hell in another amp, it's scary but it keep it since it sounds awesome. Yea, the price seemed right to me too, especially with the free shipping. I think I'll buy. Thank you for your input, helped a lot.


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Post subject: Re: Sad news for tube nuts
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 8:34 pm
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atolleter...I bought out some old tv/radio repair shop tube stock from a couple of places,didn't get much of a goldmine,after I dug through what I had and found some 12AX7s,12AT7s,AY7s, and some other tweed type tubes,and a few 6V6s,the rest were tubes there's no use for,I have some really old radio tubes that look really cool though.
I found a few good amp tubes,but not many...hope your friend has better tubes.


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Post subject: Re: Sad news for tube nuts
Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 5:07 am
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Will post whenever I find out, I'll keep nagging him until he brings them to work. :)


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Post subject: Re: Sad news for tube nuts
Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 2:16 pm
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Got my "matched" quad of Svetlana (notice they have only the =C= labels now on the tube). And SED on the boxes. Looks like 2009 versions. Last of a dying breed.



Image


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Post subject: Re: Sad news for tube nuts
Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 2:32 pm
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Nice, ordered yesterday. Should arrive next week.

If the demand for tubes keep increasing, why are companies closing?


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Post subject: Re: Sad news for tube nuts
Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 6:06 pm
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Tubes have been going away since the late 80's. I have never thrown a tube away, and started changing them regularly after a 6L6 shorted and took out the screen resistor (I think?), leaving me dead in the water onstage in the middle of a set. I used to change them every 6 months when I was playing full time. I changed them all every time; they were cheap and available. This accidental foresight only partially makes up for the guitars I wish I still had...
P.S.: In the mid-'90's I sold a minty rough brown Tolex 3-10 Bandmaster, with cover and footswitch, to Aspen Pittman, Mr Groove Tubes. He put a picture of it in his Tube Amp Guide book. Anyway, half the deal was in tubes, which I still have.

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