[Ripper2860]

Thanks mate. Which Sylvania are they? In my Cayin, they are at warm side, sweet bloom mids, not too heavy bass compare to TS 6sn7GTB new production.

I'd guess they are 1940s Sylvania VT-231s. If I'm correct, they are highly regarded and excellent examples of what I call the Sylvania 'house' sound. The Bad Boys seem like a bit of a deviation form that house sound to me, having a bit more punch and sparkle at the extremes -- great for rock or EDM. The VT-231, Chrome Domes, 6SN7W, etc., seem a bit more relaxed to me with a bit more smooth, lush, and euphonic sound. More typical of the 'house' sound. Of course, that is my opinion with my gear, my ears, and my music.

 

[Erwinatm]

I'd guess they are 1940s Sylvania VT-231s. If I'm correct, they are highly regarded and excellent examples of what I call the Sylvania 'house' sound. The Bad Boys seem like a bit of a deviation form that house sound to me, having a bit more punch and sparkle at the extremes -- great for rock or EDM. The VT-231, Chrome Domes, 6SN7W, etc., seem a bit more relaxed to me with a bit more smooth, lush, and euphonic sound. More typical of the 'house' sound. Of course, that is my opinion with my gear, my ears, and my music.

Yes spot on, that's what I'm hearing from these tubes as well.

 

[DenverW]

Yes spot on, that's what I'm hearing from these tubes as well.

Ripper knows his stuff

 

[TLO]

Before careful, there are listings in Ebay selling fake Sylvania Bad Boy that fit the description of a real Bad Boy...3 holes T-plate, spiked top mica, etc. This is a good example, https://www.ebay.com/itm/203279692868
It is a GE made in Canada 6SN7GT
If you really must try this fake Bad Boy, Langrex is selling GBP30 a piece: https://www.ebay.com/itm/313526659879

 

[TLO]

A couple pages back someone was singing the praises of the mullard cv6 and adapter. I would agree, this is my favorite of this tube type, with my 2nd favorite being the e1148. A very good tube to get on the cheap with an adapter. I've been using xulingmrs on ebay with good success for adapters. I'm sure the woo ones are good quality, but that price is ridiculous in my eyes.

Harmonic distortion is godsend, I guess this is why many ppl prefer two tubes over one...

 

[Ripper2860]

Before careful, there are listings in Ebay selling fake Sylvania Bad Boy that fit the description of a real Bad Boy...3 holes T-plate, spiked top mica, etc. This is a good example, https://www.ebay.com/itm/203279692868
It is a GE made in Canada 6SN7GT
If you really must try this fake Bad Boy, Langrex is selling GBP30 a piece: https://www.ebay.com/itm/313526659879

Yes. Many fakes out there. In this example it is VERY tricky. Although having many of the characteristics of a Bad Boy, the bottom rectangular wire getter holder style is not correct for a legit Bad Boy. The correct getter holder is a rectangular pan/foil style, whch is sometimes hard to see as it is below the base top.

 

[rawheadjim]

EDIT - I was incorrect, my latest Bad Boys are definitely legit, this ebayer is the most knowledgeable one I've dealt with and I do trust him so no issues here. He said Bad Boys can be 2 hole or 3 hole and what makes them true BAD BOY tubes is the era in which they were made... All were made from the WWII era to as late as 1954 and ALL have a bottom FOIL getter and a tall glass envelope... There is absolutely no difference in the sound between the 2-Hole and 3-Hole."

 

[TLO]

Yes. Many fakes out there. In this example it is VERY tricky. Although having many of the characteristics of a Bad Boy, the bottom rectangular wire getter holder style is not correct for a legit Bad Boy. The correct getter holder is a rectangular pan/foil style, whch is sometimes hard to see as it is below the base top.

Hmm...it looks like Italian.

 

[Ripper2860]

A have a few Fivre Italian tubes and this is not one of them. It is a pic of an early '53 Sylvania 6SN7GT BB from my stash of tubes.

 

[TLO]

A have a few Fivre Italian tubes and this is not one of them. It is a pic of an early '53 Sylvania 6SN7GT BB from my stash of tubes.

Oh, I meant the getter is the same type you would find in some Fivre or even Visseaux tubes. Like a small crescent shape.

Visseaux 6N7GT

Fivre 6N7G

 

[TLO]

Harmonic distortion is godsend, I guess this is why many ppl prefer two tubes over one...

Mullard CV6 matches with TFK EC88 for playing Italian string like Fausto Mesolella is living in heaven. If you dont think Monica Bellucci is more gorgeous than before, I will buy them from you...

 

[Contrails]

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1645992...8Iuu-lvSmC&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

He's charging an arm and two legs.

Thanks for all the info BTW. I just need one 6sn7 badboy for my Apex peak amp. I have a 2 hole Syl 6sn7gt and I thought that sounded marvellous.

 

[Isaacc7]

Not sure about 12SN7s. For Bad Boys, dates are on the base. in Y-WEEK format. 3 1 3 would be 1953, 13th week. You have to know about difference in 40s and 50s tube characteristics to identify whether the first 3 is from 43 or 53. Bad Boys must meet ALL of the criteria and 1943 Sylvania tubes typically had rectangle non-spiked top micas.

So here's a typical 12sn7 from my collection. It matches with everything that has been laid out, spiked top mica, rectangle bottom, bottom getter, foil getter, 3 holes. Green lettering not sure about the date though.

 

[Isaacc7]

So here's a typical 12sn7 from my collection. It matches with everything that has been laid out, spiked top mica, rectangle bottom, bottom getter, foil getter, 3 holes. Green lettering not sure about the date though.

I also have several identical looking tubes but they are labeled JAN and with no discernible date codes. I'm led to believe that this disqualifies them from official BB status but they do look identical.

 

[TLO]

So here's a typical 12sn7 from my collection. It matches with everything that has been laid out, spiked top mica, rectangle bottom, bottom getter, foil getter, 3 holes. Green lettering not sure about the date though.

9th week, 1953