How much are these NOS tubes worth?

[::fred::]

http://s002.radikal.ru/i198/1008/18/2b2dc115c292.jpg

got these as a part of a huge trade. They're like 50 years old or something! Never been used.

I don't have amps that run on 6L6s (nor do I plan to), so I'm looking to sell or trade them.. Just want to know how much they're worth.

Thanks

[mike shaw]

Unfortunately, there isn't much of a demand for the early, metel cased 6L6 tubes. Maybe $10 - 20 depending on brand and condition.

[smolder]

they are not NOS. NOS = NEW old stock, not just old. Those are just plain old and used - definitely not anything close to NEW.

[realityczech]

they are not NOS. NOS = NEW old stock, not just old. Those are just plain old and used - definitely not anything close to NEW.


Good point but it is all about education and/or information so some slack it merited.
No such thing as a bad question.

[slider313]

Good point but it is all about education and/or information so some slack it merited.
No such thing as a bad question.

I didn't find his answer rude, just to the point.

[skydog]

I didn't find his answer rude, just to the point.
This

[realityczech]

This

His answer wasnt rude either was my post.
Go polish the crystal.

BTW those metal jackets work great for slide.

[smolder]

no offense intended or taken.

I had no information of value regarding the usefulness of those specific tubes, but probably should have stated that. I have been told that metal shell tubes (which those look like) can be dangerous in a guitar amplifier...

[RCCola]

they are not NOS. NOS = NEW old stock, not just old. Those are just plain old and used - definitely not anything close to NEW.

If they test new, they can be considered NOS.

[realityczech]

If they test new, they can be considered NOS.

NO!!!!
That is a myth and the bane of the tube consumer.

[skydog]

Go polish the crystal.
Polish this!

[smolder]

If they test new, they can be considered NOS.

Not true. If they have been used they are used. That would put them as ANOS. Sorry to be hardline about this, but few terms are more abused than NOS. If it is not new (unused) and in the original box, it is NOT NOS.

[Trout]

Well wait a minute, NOS could also mean " Nasty Old Stuff " those look NOS :D

I have a few of those here as well, (minus rust) in the boxes. They work great in SE headphone amps.

[::fred::]

Unfortunately, there isn't much of a demand for the early, metel cased 6L6 tubes. Maybe $10 - 20 depending on brand and condition.

Can you explain why?

BTW, despite of the looks, these tubes have never been used.

[wrathfuldeity]

cause we like to see the warm blue glow of the crystal lattice...which you cant see it in metal tubes

[::fred::]

cause we like to see the warm blue glow of the crystal lattice...which you cant see it in metal tubes

dat u Tag?

[NativH]

Not true. If they have been used they are used. That would put them as ANOS. Sorry to be hardline about this, but few terms are more abused than NOS. If it is not new (unused) and in the original box, it is NOT NOS. +1000, NOS is the most bastardized term in the tube business. I've got over 100 Mullard and GEC power tubes and many more preamp tubes and very few can truly be called NOS. And I know that for sure because I got them in the original Mullard 5 packs. Plenty of others would be called NOS by most anyone but if I can't say with 100% certainty, it just ain't so. Any new looking tube in a pristine box may or may not be truly NOS. I just use the term vintage and that way I won't be called out as a lier or fraud. So many vintage tube sellers are at best misinformed and in reality, many are just frauds preying on the uninformed.

[::fred::]

seriously guys, I see quads of much later era mullards or tungsols sold at $500 or something. Surely earlier production US tubes must cost more? No?

[NativH]

seriously guys, I see quads of much later era mullards or tungsols sold at $500 or something. Surely earlier production US tubes must cost more? No?For Marshalls and other "British" amps that I love, the best/most common power tubes were the EL34, KT66 and to a lesser degree the KT77's and KT88's. And although there were USA 6CA7 tubes out there as electrical equals to the EL34's, they were not equals to my ears or apparently most others ears. That is why of the EL34 and KT tubes, the Mullards and GEC's rule the roost. If you want to see crazy money, check out some of the GEC KT77's for a change! Now if you play the Fender type amps using 6L6's and such, then the RCA and GE tubes are most likely the sh*t. I focus on the British amps and their sound so I stick with Mullards and GEC's and those seem to be the higher priced tubes.

[tedwoods]

seriously guys, I see quads of much later era mullards or tungsols sold at $500 or something. Surely earlier production US tubes must cost more? No?

The problem with metal case tubes is that they can't handle the voltages of many tube amps so their use is limited only to certain amps, thus their price is lower than most NOS tubes.
If one possesses the right amp and provided the examples on hand do not suffer from noise and microphony issues, some sweet sounds can be had.
Mind you, the metal case preamp tubes, although equally prone to the same problems, can fetch higher prices than most metal cased output tubes, e.g. red coated 5963 tubes etc.

[::fred::]

The problem with metal case tubes is that they can't handle the voltages of many tube amps so their use is limited only to certain amps, thus their price is lower than most NOS tubes.
If one possesses the right amp and provided the examples on hand do not suffer from noise and microphony issues, some sweet sounds can be had.
Mind you, the metal case preamp tubes, although equally prone to the same problems, can fetch higher prices than most metal cased output tubes, e.g. red coated 5963 tubes etc.
Thanks for the only helpful answer in this thread ;) I got it now.

[Tone Meister]

Not true. If they have been used they are used. That would put them as ANOS. Sorry to be hardline about this, but few terms are more abused than NOS. If it is not new (unused) and in the original box, it is NOT NOS.

Or "used and tested strong." Not that I am the person to set the standard for definitions, but to me ANOS would be a tube that is lightly used at most and that meets or exceeds the published standard for the given tube type. Most often the RCA Receiving Tube Manual chronicles these standards.

[Stu Blue]

seriously guys, I see quads of much later era mullards or tungsols sold at $500 or something. Surely earlier production US tubes must cost more? No?

There are many different generations/versions of the 6L6; only the 6L6GC type stand up to voltages in modern amps (and some 5881s). Pretty much only folks with SE amps running 6V6s or designed to take a wide variety of tubes such as the uni/bivalve (with it's low/high volts switch) would be interested... and not for much money ...$10-$15?