Inexpensive Chinese Vacuum Tubes Groups/Individual 6L6GC, 12AX7, 12AT7, EL34
SOME TUBES HAVE BEEN SOLD SO LISTING HAS BEEN UPDATED.
I picked up a group of what I believe are guitar pulls, and it included a large amount of Chinese tubes. As best as I can tell, these are NOT current Chinese production but are more likely from the 1990s.
Consider all the tubes for sale in this ad as USED.
The group includes a good number of 6L6GCs and 12AX7/12AX7As, as well as a smaller number of 12AT7. Most of these tubes are branded Ruby, Fender, Mesa and Groove Tube, and some are unbranded (or the brand has rubbed off).
There is only one EL34 left, and that is Mesa branded STR 440. Note that the “STR 440” number was later recycled by Mesa in connection with 6L6GC – this tube is in fact EL34 (the middle EL34, as you can see from the photo).
There are two types of 6L6GC – one is an ST bottle (6 of those) and the other is a straight bottle (5 of those left, the two on the far left in the photo are gone). There are 30 12AX7/12AX7As and 5 12AT7s (one of the unbranded is gone).
I only screened the 12AX7s and 12AT7s on a B&K 700 (too much work for full testing). All were well above the reject point, and clean for shorts and leakage. In fact, the vast majority of the 12AX7s tested comparably to a new production Tung-Sol gold pin 12AX7/ECC803.
Just for grins, I also screened a representative sample of the 12AX7s for noise and microphonics on my Kaye Small Signal Tube Checker. Surprisingly enough, each and every one that I screened was very quiet and had very low (if any) microphonic tendencies. While this is no guarantee of performance (see Terms and Conditions below), I have never had a complaint about a tube that passed the noise and microphonics tests on the Kaye (and I am actually keeping a few for this very reason).
I did, however, test all the 6L6GCs and EL34s on my Weston 981 III. The reject point (65%) is 1300 (6L6GC) and 1430 (EL34/6CA7), making “theoretical” 100% about 2000 (6L6GC) and 2200 (EL34/6CA7). A new tube will tend to be 10-20% above “theoretical” 100%. The results are as follows:
6L6GC (ST shape) – 2250, 2450, 2550, 2550, 1725 and 2000
6L6GC (straight) –
2550, 2550, 2600, 2450, 2600, 2600 and 2200
EL34 –
2650, 2700
and 2650Prices are as follows (shipping and Paypal fee are extra, see Terms and Conditions below). If you have a brand preference let me know and I will try to comply; otherwise, I will randomly pick and choose.
6L6GC - $3 each, or $25 for the group of eleven
EL34 - $5
12AX7 - $2.50 each, $22.50 for a group of ten, or $60 for the group of 30.
12AT7 - $2 each, or $8 for the group of five
Take everything in the ad for $80 (47 tubes).
As I sell tubes, I will of course update the ad and adjust the group price.
I can provide additional information or pictures upon request.
GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
Please note that these tubes are being sold ‘AS IS’, but I will guarantee against a DOA tube (does not work at all). In such event, I will refund purchase price less shipping upon return of the tubes in the same condition as sent.
I ONLY describe what I know about the tubes, and what I have tested for. Although my tube testers tend to be reliable, YOUR TUBE TESTER MAY GIVE A DIFFERENT RESULT THAN MINE, so please take that into account. If the information is not there, DO NOT ASSUME, and do not rely on any of YOUR assumptions. If you need more information than provided in the listing, ASK IN ADVANCE. If I happen to have the information, I will provide it. If I can get the information in a reasonable way, I will get it. If I do not call a tube NOS, consider that tube used. I do the best I can with very limited time and capabilities. I am an honest seller, but I am NOT a tube professional, and I am NOT in the tube business.
AS SUCH, PLEASE NOTE THAT I CANNOT GUARANTEE (OR EVEN REMOTELY PREDICT) HOW THESE TUBES WILL SOUND OR PERFORM IN YOUR EQUIPMENT. THE TEST RESULTS ARE ONLY PROVIDED AS AN INDICATION OF TUBE PERFORMANCE IN A VERY LIMITED (AND NON-IDEAL) ENVIRONMENT. OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE, I EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO THESE TUBES OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR USE OF THEM.
Unless otherwise requested, shipping in the USA will be via US Postal Priority Mail, and shipping outside the USA is via US Postal First Class Mail International. Of course, the cost will depend on package weight and buyer location, so please contact me for a quote.
Money order/cashiers check/personal check preferred, but all (other than US Postal money orders) must clear my bank first.
I also accept Paypal for convenience (but add 3% to the total for USA, and 4% to the total everywhere else).
Please check my feedback on Audiogon, Videogon and Ebay (ID=baileyler) and buy with confidence.
