Power Tube Matching

Thank you @clio09 for clearifying, Im no engineer.

What tube shop do you run?

Also, not that Im going to try it, but what would happen using mismatched power tubes? Would there be SQ issues? amp damage? And what type of damage?

Thanks

@clio09 Thanks,

From that article, it looks like he is saying that the top, 2 digit, number on a tube box will  be between 32 to 42. Well, I know Ive seen tubes as low as 14 and as high as 34, so.....maybe even 44.

It is quite mysterious.

Were tubes always matched, say in 1950's guitar amps?

If no, when did matching become a thing? And did this correspond to a change in amp design?  And if yes, why the change?

T

@oddiofyl Thank you.

But, I and still curious.

"Looking at a pair of EL84 and the current draw is hand written on each box. 24.1 and 24.0. That’s how tightly matched they should be."

In this example, how far off could they be and still be considered matched?

24.1 __ 23.7

24.1 __ 24.8

What is the cutoff for what is considered, not perfect, but matched?

It just seems mysterious how the % is gained.

Thanks again

@oddiofyl 

So, when i order tubes, say KT77's for my midmonos, I should seek tubes where the top number is a 53?

T

@oddiofyl 

Hey the milliamp tester looks like a good thing to have.

I see one on reverb for $100 new. I'd like to find a used one for $50 or $60. I will look. Thanks.

I'm go to send you an IM.

@clio09 

Ok, so Im looking at the Ram EL34's. Tell me about these. Were they made by RAM, or just selected and tested by RAM? if the latter.....where did they come from?

I am intrigued. Are these NOS (from when) or current production (from where)?

Thank you,

TD

I will check it thanks

ahhh...thank you.

@carlsbad2 

Unfortunately my amps bias 2 tubes at a time...not a good design.

I ordered a VTH Tube Tester