Salvaged Old Tubes. Are These Any Good?

[Toneslinger]

I was garage sale-ing today when I found this old radio for $5. bought it thinking I could pull the tubes out and if nothing else, put it on the shelf as a decoration.

Anybody have any idea on these radios and if the tubes can be used in an amp and if they are any good?

Here are the specs I found on the radio:

RCA Victor
•Mains: 115V AC/DC 25-60Hz (230V AC/DC adapter available)
•Uses an RCA Type 78101 Selenium rectifier
•Wavebands: 7 switchable bands giving the following coverage:
•'A' Band: 540 - 1600KHz
•'B' Band: 2.0 - 4.0MHz
•'C' Band: 4.0 - 6.0MHZ
•31m Band: 9.45 - 9.85MHz
•25m Band: 11.55 - 12.05MHz
•19m Band: 14.90 - 15.55MHz
•16m Band: 17.50 - 18.20MHz
•Valve lineup: 5 total
•1U4 (x2, RF & IF Amplifiers)
•1L6 (Converter)
•1U5 (Detector/AVC/1st Audio)
•3V4 (Audio output)
•Released c.1953
•Physical size: 17" x 11" x 8" (approx.)
•Weight: 23lbs with batteries, 16lbs without
•Original price c.$120


http://lh3.ggpht.com/_qAmanVzCSsY/SvXithOHVuI/AAAAAAAAFVk/pUfzjz5-pL8/s400/photo3.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qAmanVzCSsY/SvXitQs6T3I/AAAAAAAAFVg/S0E7yGdOpoM/s400/photo4.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_qAmanVzCSsY/SvXitBLibvI/AAAAAAAAFVc/X9JS0G4850I/s400/photo2.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qAmanVzCSsY/SvXitOCXNxI/AAAAAAAAFVY/a1EDBoOL35g/s400/photo1.jpg

[straightblues]

That is a really nice looking radio. The tubes aren't ones you would typcially find in a guitar amp and are not interchangable. Does the radio work? How does it sound. $5 is very cheap. You should be able to get a heck of a lot more on Ebay for it than that.

[HCStraub]

I would put the tubes back in it and use it as a cool radio if it works...

As the last poster stated, those tubes are not used for musical instrument amplifiers.

[bluesjuke]

Cool radio!
Great price too.

[mc5nrg]

Just in case you aren't aware, but there is a large subculture of folks who collect old radios and clubs and related swap meets.

[vortexxxx]

The Microbaby amp uses some unusual tubes. Perhaps they may work with that.

[rockon1]

As others have said the tubes are not good for guitar amps but the radio itself seems like a score! Bob

[Gas-man]

Even if the tubes were 12ax7's or some other desirable tube it is very iffy if "pulls" will be any good.

These are often the tubes you see guys selling as "NOS" LOL.