The Reference Pentode and Beam Tetrode Thread EL34, KT66, KT77, KT88, EL11, EL12, EL3N, EL35, EL37, 6550, 6L6, EL51, EL39, 4654, 4699, KT63, KT61, 6V6, etc

[Zachik]

Both my testers show great results for these tubes.

So, after having backup (and backup for the backup) tubes - the next step is a backup for the tube tester?!?!

 

[leftside]

So, after having backup (and backup for the backup) tubes - the next step is a backup for the tube tester?!?!

Of course Some people even have quite a few tube testers.

 

[Renexx]

Going through my tubes, and I don't think these GEC 6V6G have been mentioned before. Very early (WW2 I think). These have a getter type I haven't seen/noticed before. As expected, sounds very similar to early KT63 tubes.

You have a beautiful pair in original boxes.
I think that's a Tungsram 6v6g just like my pair:

Inspected by British military 1953.

This would be my old version of GEC 6v6g:

I saw Brimar and GEC with ingraved bases but those might be later versions with better smoked glasses.
Sonically I think they are really close.

 

[leftside]

You have a beautiful pair in original boxes.
I think that's a Tungsram 6v6g just like my pair:

Inspected by British military 1953.

This would be my old version of GEC 6v6g:

I saw Brimar and GEC with ingraved bases but those might be later versions with better smoked glasses.
Sonically I think they are really close.

I think you’re right. That’s why I didn’t recognize the getter type.

Yours are in super nice condition with the perfect print. I have two more - one with black glass. I’ll check those later.

 

[Tom-s]

There's something weird going on with codes on these tubes.
Were these made in T -> Tottenham / British Tungsram made? Or ZA5306 -> ZA being MOV Gateshead??
@gibosi can you help out?

Edit: upon closer inspection. I see the R -> Ferranti ?? On some tubes.

For me the black glass versions are Brimar @Renexx. I've yet to find one with engraved base.
If you look inside, like yours' you'll see the RCA type top mica with metal supports (compare to Brimar 6J5G to understand similarities).
Most have the orange printing on the base of some sort.

For the grey glass tubes; British Tungsram or GEC is correct.
Based on build these actually are British Tungsram. As you see they use more frequently seen in Tottenham factory Tungsram type mica, getter and supports.

The link I normally use for finding the UK military / factory codes: https://mullard.org/blogs/news/83886851-cv-numbers-and-uk-military-date-and-factory-codes

Here's a few pictures from my own collection. With the Army sticker on both a GEC (Tungsram?) from 1953 and aswel on a Brimar from 1953?

 

[leftside]

There's something weird going on with codes on these tubes.
Were these made in T -> Tottenham / British Tungsram made? Or ZA5306 -> ZA being MOV Gateshead??
@gibosi can you help out?

Edit: upon closer inspection. I see the R -> Ferranti ?? On some tubes.

For me the black glass versions are Brimar @Renexx. I've yet to find one with engraved base.
If you look inside, like yours' you'll see the RCA type top mica with metal supports (compare to Brimar 6J5G to understand similarities).
Most have the orange printing on the base of some sort.

For the grey glass tubes; British Tungsram or GEC is correct.
Based on build these actually are British Tungsram. As you see they use more frequently seen in Tottenham factory Tungsram type mica, getter and supports.

The link I normally use for finding the UK military / factory codes: https://mullard.org/blogs/news/83886851-cv-numbers-and-uk-military-date-and-factory-codes

Here's a few pictures from my own collection. With the Army sticker on both a GEC (Tungsram?) from 1953 and aswel on a Brimar from 1953?

The plot thickens! I don't think 'ZA' in this case means Gateshead, but is simply the military designation for this type of tube 'ZA5306':
https://www.radiomuseum.org/tubes/tube_za5306.html

Yes agreed 'R' is Ferranti

 

[leftside]

Here's one of mine with the same getter type as above. This is black glass. I had to shine a light quite brightly to get a picture of the getter. GEC? Brimar?

Edit: Brimar. The top mica certainly looks very similar to the Brimar 6J5 with the hanging support wires.

 

[bcowen]

Of course Some people even have quite a few tube testers.

I'm down to 4 plus a couple donor units. I'm actually pretty proud of myself.

 

[gibosi]

The plot thickens! I don't think 'ZA' in this case means Gateshead, but is simply the military designation for this type of tube 'ZA5306':
https://www.radiomuseum.org/tubes/tube_za5306.html

Yes agreed 'R' is Ferranti

Yes, ZA5306 shows up here as a 6V6G / CV509 on the Old Stores Numbers list:

https://frank.pocnet.net/other/ServiceTypes/OldStores.html

 

[leftside]

Having spoken to a few different people and from doing a little research, I don't believe GEC made a 6V6 tube? Happy to hear if anyone else has input.

I also asked my new personal assistant, the new Bing, and this is what the AI tool had to say:
According to my web searches, GEC did make a KT63 vacuum tube12, which is a power pentode with almost identical characteristics to the American 6F6 beam tetrode3. GEC also made a KT66 vacuum tube4, which is similar to the American 6L6GC beam tetrode3. However, I could not find any evidence that GEC made a 6V6 vacuum tube, which is another type of beam-power tetrode5. Are you looking for a specific application or model of these tubes?

 

[Renexx]

These GEC 6v6 seem very legit to me.
I can't see a different construction in my Brimar and GEC 6v6. Just the Tungsram grey glass seems different.
Sonically I would say the Brimar and Tungsram are warmer than the GEC.

The Tungsram also were made as 6v6gt.

 

[Mr Trev]

I can't see a different construction in my Brimar and GEC 6v6. Just the Tungsram grey glass seems different.
Sonically I would say the Brimar and Tungsram are warmer than the GEC.


These GEC 6v6 seems very legit to me.

The Tungsram also were made as 6v6gt.

My screen was scrolled so that the bottom of the tubes was cropped (GEC logo and below). The black glass top part kinda looks like Darth Vader's lid. Coincidence…

 

[leftside]

These GEC 6v6 seems very legit to me.

Who knows for sure. I've seen a few "GEC" tubes with those stickers that aren't GEC if you look inside at the construction. Possibly a GEC rebrand.

 

[leftside]

The Tungsram also were made as 6v6gt.

Very nice. The box says 'FE' which implies the STC/Brimar Oldway factory. The tubes say 'T' which implies the Tungsram Tottenham factory

I just picked up the Brimar 6V6GTY pair from the 60's that Langrex had for sale. Also 'FE'. They still have plenty from the early 70's. A bit cheaper than their "black beauty" 6SN7GTY versions....
https://www.langrex.co.uk/?s=6v6&post_type=product

 

[Renexx]

Very nice. The box says 'FE' which implies the STC/Brimar Oldway factory. The tubes say 'T' which implies the Tungsram Tottenham factory

I just picked up the Brimar 6V6GTY pair from the 60's that Langrex had for sale. Also 'FE'. They still have plenty from the early 70's. A bit cheaper than their "black beauty" 6SN7GTY versions....
https://www.langrex.co.uk/?s=6v6&post_type=product

Those Brimar 6v6 from Langrex pushed me over the edge for another purchase also. I will also try the russian 1950s 6v6.
Langrex always have some interesting tubes at a good pricepoint. Those brimar 6sn7 are ridicioulsy overpriced tho! Especially for the later verions!