The Reference 6J5 Thread (L63, 6C5, 12J5, 6P5, etc.)

[mordy]

Thanks for the insight guys. I appreciate it.

I figured out what happened, or at least a working theory

Here is the good tube. Original engraved base

Here is the one with the broken pin. It’s newer cheaper feeling plastic. Not the original engraved base like the other Brimar. This pin likely broke awhile ago and someone repaired it with a new base and sold it as NOS

Anyway if it’s already been repaired once it’s probably not worth trying again

I’ll hold onto the good one, possibly try to match it at some point if I ever decide to invest in a tube tester (there are a few singles on eBay)

Did you try to approach the seller?

 

[Isaacc7]

Thanks for the insight guys. I appreciate it.

I figured out what happened, or at least a working theory

Here is the good tube. Original engraved base

Here is the one with the broken pin. It’s newer cheaper feeling plastic. Not the original engraved base like the other Brimar. This pin likely broke awhile ago and someone repaired it with a new base and sold it as NOS

Anyway if it’s already been repaired once it’s probably not worth trying again

I’ll hold onto the good one, possibly try to match it at some point if I ever decide to invest in a tube tester (there are a few singles on eBay)

The tube could still be NOS, have you tested it yet? Sometimes bases crack. There is a seller in Singapore I think that has a whole batch of some British tube that he sells with repaired bases. I have had several tubes develop a loose base. Luckily the important part is above the base and they can be salvaged.

 

[shwnwllms]

The tube could still be NOS, have you tested it yet? Sometimes bases crack. There is a seller in Singapore I think that has a whole batch of some British tube that he sells with repaired bases. I have had several tubes develop a loose base. Luckily the important part is above the base and they can be salvaged.

I’m sure it tested NOS, but it was likely repaired at one point so I’m hesitant to try and repair the broken pin again. I don’t have a tester anyway but am considering getting one so I can test the good tube and try to find another matched single

 

[zenith2134]

Loose bases can occur due to physical shock or even improper cleaning. I've personally heard of audio "experts" submerging the pins in CLR or similar cleaner. Problem is, it tends to work its way up-pin and ruin the adhesive. Totally repairable if you're careful.

 

[shwnwllms]

Loose bases can occur due to physical shock or even improper cleaning. I've personally heard of audio "experts" submerging the pins in CLR or similar cleaner. Problem is, it tends to work its way up-pin and ruin the adhesive. Totally repairable if you're careful.

The base isn’t the problem. One of the heater pins broke

 

[triod750]

You could try this heat resistent glue and then report back: https://www.permabond.com/technical-datasheets/permabond-920/

 

[leftside]

I have an ECC32 with a loose pin. So I put the tube into a socket saver. And it will never be removed again

 

[shwnwllms]

I have an ECC32 with a loose pin. So I put the tube into a socket saver. And it will never be removed again

You know this isn’t a bad idea. Although I’ll need two socket savers as my OCD wouldn’t allow 6C5’s at different heights into the adapter. They also wouldn’t fit in their original boxes any longer

 

[triod750]

You know this isn’t a bad idea. Although I’ll need two socket savers as my OCD wouldn’t allow 6C5’s at different heights into the adapter. They also wouldn’t fit in their original boxes any longer

What about putting your OCD in these boxes instead?

 

[shwnwllms]

What about putting your OCD in these boxes instead?

That definitely would not fit. I might be able to cram it in the Pelican case for my Agartha though.

 

[tholt]

That definitely would not fit. I might be able to cram it in the Pelican case for my Agartha though.

 

[WildPhydeaux]

Thanks for the insight guys. I appreciate it.

I figured out what happened, or at least a working theory

Here is the one with the broken pin. It’s newer cheaper feeling plastic. Not the original engraved base like the other Brimar. This pin likely broke awhile ago and someone repaired it with a new base and sold it as NOS


Anyway if it’s already been repaired once it’s probably not worth trying again

Sorry for the necro of this topic, but I just had a closer look. Whomever replaced that base was a pretty ham-fisted solder monkey; that's some nasty work. I would bet money the reason the pin is wobbly is because they overheated that pin so bad it turned the area surrounding the hole into Velveeta. The good news is it's an easy fix for someone with modest soldering skills and the tube is very likely worth the minimal effort. The bad news is that it sounds like the owners OCD would hold extreme prejudice against the visual non-conformance.

Cheers,
Robert

 

[shwnwllms]

Sorry for the necro of this topic, but I just had a closer look. Whomever replaced that base was a pretty ham-fisted solder monkey; that's some nasty work. I would bet money the reason the pin is wobbly is because they overheated that pin so bad it turned the area surrounding the hole into Velveeta. The good news is it's an easy fix for someone with modest soldering skills and the tube is very likely worth the minimal effort. The bad news is that it sounds like the owners OCD would hold extreme prejudice against the visual non-conformance.

Cheers,
Robert

unfortunately I don’t have modest soldering skills. I’d be ok with a fix, even if it looked repaired. I’m just not confident enough to do it myself and risk damaging my amp or having a pin break off in my adapter

 

[WildPhydeaux]

Pity you're not in Canada, eh? Would be happy to help you out and I have a couple spare bases. But shipping to/from has gotten silly expensive. Surely someone in your neck of the woods would put things right for you...

Cheers,
Robert

 

[WildPhydeaux]

Pretty quiet in the 6J5 forum these days, so maybe I can slip in a question and request...

First up is the question. I have a couple of 6J5G tubes to identify. One is labeled as Raytheon and the other Tung-Sol. I've examined the construction very closely and all internals are absolutely identical, with one exception - one tube has its two copper rods slightly longer than the other tube and has a black tag across them. For what it's worth, this one with the black tag is the one labeled Tung-Sol. Any educated guess on who actually made these two fraternal twins?

Secondly, a request to the community... I've been looking high and low for a mate to my single early globe glass Philco #37 solid plate. I've seen the odd mesh plate but I'm trying for a dance partner for my lonely single. Anyone have one they would be willing to part with? Need not be NOS, just not worn out.

Cheers,
Robert