Anyone have a problem with reliability on SED tubes?

[justonwo]

I bought a match pair of SED 6L6s for my Rivera a couple of years ago. Right out of the box, one of the two tubes had a faint red plate glow even at 50% bias. Swapping the tubes, the red glow followed the tube. Sure enough, a few months later, this tube failed.

Recently, I bought a quad of SED EL34s and have noticed the exact same thing. One of the four glows faint red in one spot even at 50% bias. Either I'm extraordinarily unlucky or SED isn't making a very consistent product. Both sets were bought from very well known and reliable tube dealers.

I'm thrilled with the sound of my SED 6L6s (never used their EL34s before this week), but it's a little irritating having to deal with bad tubes. Has anyone else noticed a problem with SEDs?

[Blue Strat]

Very few problems here in 1000s sold.

[justonwo]

Any idea what would cause that to happen at such a cold bias setting, Mike?

[DGG]

Who did you buy them from? I'd suggest discussing this with them as it could be a problem with that specific production run. If caught in time it could spare many other customers future headaches by pulling them from sale. In any event they may be able to comp you a "good" pair.

[justonwo]

I'd rather not say here since I don't want to put anyone's reputation on trial. You have PM.

[Swarty]

I've often wondered what happens to the the tubes that the major rebranders screen out? Who buys the scraps?