[tomb]

Quote:

Don't underestimate a nice Jackson.
Many Hickok can't test WE tubes, most Jackson can.
They have a superior leakage and shorts circuit than Hickok, and the results are based on plate current.

Cool - didn't know that!  I have been impressed with the 658A.  It's a much older machine than the B&K 747, yet it seems to be able to test a lot more tubes.  I've actually found a few mistakes in the B&K tube test settings for some tubes.  It's fine for the prevalent tubes, but something out of the ordinary the Jackson just takes in stride.  I have to make adjustments on the B&K, though.

 

[Garage1217]

Very cool gear guys - glad this post was dug up. Good to see so many keeping vintage gear in such excellent condition! That 747 is a beauty.

 

[gwaaron]

I picked up a B&K 707 from an estate sale for 109.00.  Great shape and recently calibrated.  Has been very useful.
 
 
 
 
 

 

[Mr.Tom]

I love my 747. I've had a 1/2 dozen different testers over the last 30 years. The 747 is my most used and most useful.
 
 

 

[bmichels]

To test and match our tubes, I found this tester also discussed here  

   is it any good and is there alternative testers recommended ? 
 
 

 
 
 
Another question : is matching usually only done based on bias reading, or it should be done on several parameters results ? 

 

[silentmoon]

 

 

 
Mine, TV7 - D/U 
Fast and reliable. 

 

[whirlwind]

 

[JKDJedi]

Nice - didn't know this thread existed.

I can't compete with the Hickok stuff, but I do have a couple of nice Jacksons:

A fairly typical 648S:




(A very nice Jackson 658A seen on the right.)

My pride and joy is an immaculate B&K 747 (fully restored and calibrated):

I just received mine and sent her out to @bcowen (The Restoration King) for an overhaul. He's doing some great thorough work with her, we're both finding out that it might not test a few tubes as well as other testers, the 5998 for example. I've also read that some 12v tubes don't test as well on the BK. Little bummed about the 5998 but I carry mostly 6SN7 type tubes, so she'll be used a lot. Cool thread..glad I found this!

 

[bcowen]

I just received mine and sent her out to @bcowen (The Restoration King) for an overhaul. He's doing some great thorough work with her, we're both finding out that it might not test a few tubes as well as other testers, the 5998 for example. I've also read that some 12v tubes don't test as well on the BK. Little bummed about the 5998 but I carry mostly 6SN7 type tubes, so she'll be used a lot. Cool thread..glad I found this!

I didn't know this thread existed either. Nice resurrection! I just hope your 747 can be resurrected too.

This has been my go to tester for close to 20 years. Fully rebuilt with calibration dialed in perfectly. I check calibration about every 6 months, and after the rebuild it has stayed almost right on the money. The original case was in poor shape, so I made one for it, along with a Lexan cover to keep the dust off:

This is one of the reasons it's been my favorite: the 2nd plate button which allows for testing the 2nd triode in a dual triode tube by just pushing and holding this button. Most other testers require resetting 4 or more rotary controls or sliders for dual triodes.

Also use a (rebuilt) Weston 981 Type 3, mostly for checking power tubes and rectifiers as it has a much beefier transformer and throws higher plate voltages to those tubes than the Hickok. The circuit is pretty much the same as the venerable Triplett 3444 (and the Heathkit TT-1A):

 

[JKDJedi]