Who manufactured tubes used in Trams ?

[bill]

Who made the tubes used in Trams ? Was it one manufacturer, or many ?
In everyone's experience, which brands may perform better ? Or are they all created equal ?
All the tubes in both the 201A's I own still have the Tram Logos on them... I think it's time to gather replacements for the day they no longer come to life...
I look forward to hearing from you all...

Bill

[V8Vega]

I'm not sure, but Greg Barkett sent back my vintage NOS RCA final tube. I sent all the tubes for the rebuild, but he said the only 6DG6 final tube he uses is a GE variant. The other types pop shortly after being installed. The GE is interesting because it doesn't have the plastic base. I would get that tube from him if I was you.

[gator7]

Or, check with Alan @ tubes plus. I have good luck with him.

[cbrown]

Nowadays the question isn't "what tubes came with the radio?" but "what tubes that are still out there will work in the radio?"

Either place mentioned, stores.goldeneagleradios.com/StoreFront.bok or tubesplus.com/ will get tubes that will work in your Tram.

[V8Vega]

Tram tubes are easy to find. Barkett has just had some issues with the 201A final. Vintage US made 6L6's are pricey though. I found a sweet NOS Sylvania for around $70.00 which wasn't bad. I'm glad I didn't have to buy another 6L6 for the final like the 201's have.

[cbrown]

6L6 tubes are used in a lot of guitar amps. Price ranges from $25 up to $49 for a single tube.

[scrapiron]

I have seen two types of tubes used in tram d201 radios. Solid white tram logo which are GE Tubes , and white outlined tram logo which are marked Japan. There may have been more suppliers but these are the only two I've seen.

[scrapiron]

I like to use GE tubes seem to work real well for me. Has anyone tried any of the chinese 6L6's wonder what they're like.

[V8Vega]

I've heard nothing but bad about all Chinese tubes.

[V8Vega]

Aug 22, 2011 8:47:43 GMT -5 cbrown said:

6L6 tubes are used in a lot of guitar amps. Price ranges from $25 up to $49 for a single tube.

Yeah, but I wanted all NOS US made tubes. My rig is all 60's real RCA except that Sylvania gray plate and the GE final.

[cbrown]

At this point in time I'm more concerned about the quality of the tube than who manufactured it. Remember if the tube was made in 1970 than it's 41 years old.

I've head mixed reviews about both the Chinese and Russian tubes, but so far I've been happy with what I bought. I also have tube audio amps, and guitar amps, plus a bunch of old radios.

[V8Vega]

Aug 23, 2011 8:41:35 GMT -5 cbrown said:

At this point in time I'm more concerned about the quality of the tube than who manufactured it. Remember if the tube was made in 1970 than it's 41 years old.

I've head mixed reviews about both the Chinese and Russian tubes, but so far I've been happy with what I bought. I also have tube audio amps, and guitar amps, plus a bunch of old radios.

Quality fell off in the 70'S.

[cbrown]

There are still good tubes being manufactured, but nowadays quality costs.

[FIXR]

The best 6L6 type "foreign" tube that I have found for the D201's is a 6L6WGC manufactured in Germany. It has about the same characteristics as the original GE's and sells for around 25.00.

Fixr

[Tombstone (R.I.P.)]

Since that 6l6 replacement is made in Deutchland, it has to be a quality tube considering their manufacturing excellence. I wouldn't put a Chinese tube in anything.

Tombstone

[maxblith]

I've had very good luck with the Russian Version of the 6L6 tube, 6n3c purchased from Gooble Tube Amps. I've ran them for weeks now in my Tram D201 and they seem to work very well. I purchased a matched set from Gooble and I liked them so well I purchased 2 quads of them for spares. He also has some excellent 12ax7's that really brought back that nice warm bass on my old Trams Receiver. The rest of my tubes are all marked TRAM and have no other mfg information on them. I had to replace one of the 6BE6's I think? I did replace it with a tube made in Holland which is also a great tube. I am working on getting some good Mullard tubes to totally replace all the tubes. Mullards are about the best tubes I have ever used but hard to find and expensive. In a pinch though the Russian Tubes NOS seem to be far better than the Chinese tubes. Never had an issue of them popping in either of My Trams or my Sonar FS2340. Never had an issue running them in an AMP either. That said I have Chinese tubes that seem to work best in the box they came in!

Thanks!

[Sniper..Unit 305]

I for some reason or another remember always buying Sylvania tubes for my D201 when one or another would get weak. I'm not sure if my old dealer that I purchased my Tram D201 new from, had told me that they were the original manufacturer of the tubes or not. Too darn long ago to get it straight in my head. I do know that my first choice was Sylvania and second was GE. I believe both companies had ended up moving manufacturing to England for their tubes....GE and Sylvania...again......these old memories are foggy at best. Perhaps one of you may know if my recollections are correct. I am still working on my spare Sylvania tubes and do still have original Tram marked tubes that are weak but still in the good range. I seem to have good luck with the Russian tubes in my other tube equipment. Sniper

[rifleman]

ALL of the 'Tram' tubes that are in my D201's are GE's.

For information's sake, if they have the marking 188-5, it means 188 is General Electric, 5 means the Owensboro, KY plant.

if there is also marks such as 77-30, 77 is the year, and 30 is the week of the year they were mfg.

[scrapiron]

Hey Rifleman, GE tubes also have Letters on them as well. Examples I have are SA, KM, do you have any idea what these signify. Thanks

[cbrown]

This link should help you out.

pax-comm.com/pa01017.htm

[V8Vega]

My 201A is now all vintage RCA except for the final (A Funky looking GE...Thanks Greg) and modulator ("Chrome Dome") Sylvania.

[scrapiron]

Thanks for the Link Charlie Brown, great info.

[cbrown]

Not a problem, glad I could help.