Tube experts: What's this Mullard worth??

[napalmdeath]

Got an original Mullard ECC83S/12AX7, and a Sylvania USA gold pin from the 50's, and have no idea how to value them. I have access to several of these.

Mullard is Great Britain, and the codes mC1 and B6K, which is confirmed 1956 Blackburn made. Prices for these seem to be all over the place, but I did see one on Reverb go for $160.

The Sylvania, I'm still digging up..

 

[maddnotez]

yeah those aren't really worth that much. I'll give you $20 for both of them if you need to get rid of them.

 

[maddnotez]

Btw that was a joke in case you didn't already know lol.

I have seen those Mullards go between $25 and $200 a piece but I think most of it will depend on the readings. You should try to find someone who has a tester and post the specs. If there is a lot of life left you could list them as NOS and depending on what getter they have and how desirable that specific tube is you very well may be able to get over $100 for one.

Edit: I really do not know much about the gold pin but I would guess they are pretty desirable too.

 

[Chester Nimitz]

If the Mullard is new/never used $200 easy.

If its a pull with alot of hours on it not much.

The older the tube the better likelihood its seen alot of use unless you got documentation saying otherwise.

Could crap out in a couple days or be the best tube you ever had lasting 10+ years.

Thats show biz ...

 

[napalmdeath]

These are new, never used and tested. They came from a tube dealer that sold the business and these were inherited. The guy said they all test new, not sure why boxes are missing and test readings not documented. I'm doing more digging, he's got a BUNCH.

 

[psychodave]

Honestly, unless you can provide test numbers, they won't fetch much...at least to someone who knows what they are looking at. I've seen new, unused tubes test worse than tubes used for years. Both power and preamp examples.

This is why I own digital tube testers. I know exactly what I own. And when I buy, I alert the buyer that I have a tester and will test to validate what they say and are selling. If not, I return it.

 

[Chester Nimitz]

The good testers measure "Transconductance" thats what you want.

They're about 1K.

Most older "tube testers" just check for opens, shorts & gas leaks.

 

[napalmdeath]

I'm gonna use them!

 

[maddnotez]

I'm gonna use them!

I would as well, Those Mullards are one of the highest regarded tubes for a guitarist. I am kind of with Psychodave on what he said though.

Unless I could see the actual readings then I would not buy any tube. However that is just me. I have no tester so for all I know the tubes I buy could have completely different readings and also even with none, just a description of how you got them and testing new....Some others may buy them on ebay.

If you do have access to the motherload of these you really should find a local guy who has a tester and start selling them. If they are truly unused and read over NOS values you would make a fortune.

 

[psychodave]

The good testers measure "Transconductance" thats what you want.

They're about 1K.

Most older "tube testers" just check for opens, shorts & gas leaks.

Yup. I figured I have multiple high dollar amps, I might as well know EXACTLY what is going in them...new or used.

Here is what I use:
http://maximatcher.com/index.html

 

[Chester Nimitz]

Schweet ... !

 

[Racerxrated]

NOS or strong used tubes, are in my opinion an absolute game changer with a good amp. Night and day tone when you find the right combination. Enjoy them!

 

[napalmdeath]

NOS or strong used tubes, are in my opinion an absolute game changer with a good amp. Night and day tone when you find the right combination. Enjoy them!

I can say with absolute certainty, in V1 of my Mark V 25, it turned the beast into a polished beast, fine-tuned beast.

That Mullard is so evenly distributed across the tonal spectrum, it's ridiculous. It still has an urgent attack, bass frequencies are crisp, and highs are warm and pleasing. My oh my, you hit the nail on the head. I already loved this amp, but it just kicked it up about 5 notches!!

 

[Chester Nimitz]

The plate coatings the Blackburn Works UK used in the 50's, 60's & 70's contained nasty chemicals including radioactive materials.

Alot of British workers at those plants died from various cancers.

Alot of those materials have been banned Internationally, thats why current tubes don't have the same MoJo.

 

[Racerxrated]

NOS or strong used tubes, are in my opinion an absolute game changer with a good amp. Night and day tone when you find the right combination. Enjoy them!

I can say with absolute certainty, in V1 of my Mark V 25, it turned the beast into a polished beast, fine-tuned beast.

That Mullard is so evenly distributed across the tonal spectrum, it's ridiculous. It still has an urgent attack, bass frequencies are crisp, and highs are warm and pleasing. My oh my, you hit the nail on the head. I already loved this amp, but it just kicked it up about 5 notches!!

Try some Amperex 12ax7s if you run across them, they are also really good in most amps I've had. Mesa seems to love tungsrams and Chinese 8th/9th, at least my C+ does. I've got 2 vintage Mullard pres, might try those too. RFT are also good....

 

[Loudness250]

Yeah, keep that Mullard, My all time favorite.I had a couple early 60's ones and others from mid to late 60's but not as old as that. But definitely my all time favorite preamp tube and power tube is mullard all the way!