Tube tester?

Not worth getting a tube tester for the purpose you describe unless you have a lot of time, money and patience or are just bored. I have one, but I’m a nerd.

Numbers are specific to each tube tester so to know what they mean you have to know what tube tester it was tested on and look up in the manual what the new and minumum numbers are.

Whoever you bought the tubes from should be able to explain the numbers to you.

Jerry

Jerry

good advice 

thank you

Numbers are specific to each tube tester so to know what they mean you have to know what tube tester it was tested on and look up in the manual what the new and minumum numbers are.

Exactly. 

Like a broken record, I keep on saying anyone with tube equipment should buy their own tube tester.

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most testers of that era used cheap hardware, thin vinyl, so don't let the beat up look concern you IF the seller says tested, works ....

those numbers you mentioned: "How do you read tubes that are marked :(I.e) 95/91 or 46/41"

are not tube identification numbers, there are markings on the tubes themselves, i.e. 12ax7; 12au7; 6sl7; kt88; el34; ...

pull them out, rotate them in the light until you can see the marking on the side of the glass.

they have key slots, or missing pin holes, so you cannot reinstall them incorrectly, BUT, make sure you know which socket they came from/go back into.

some chassis have the tube type printed next to the sockets, some print V1, V2 ....

then there is a reference page in the manual saying V1 is ... V2 is ...

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Cary ought to be able to help you, and simply search the internet with your model number, a lot of info is out there.

@elliottbnewcombjr

Good point to get a tube tester, when:

.you have a lot of tubes, meaning selling, buying or your equipment uses many and requires frequent tube change. Yes in the long run it would be more economical too.

.have learnt a lot about your tubes or tubes in general and know what you want to measure.

.can maintain your tube tester, especially when vintage

.if you want to buy a tube tester, whether vintage or new, do not get a cheap one, a different research is needed for what kind of tube tester you need.

Otherwise a good and reputable vendor can mostly provide what is requested and with valid measurements.