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Nos I61 B0F Mullard?
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 1:43 pm
by Brandon
Can anyone tell me about a mullard 12ax7 with the code of I61 B0F?
Is it the same or similar as a I63, or a lot different (Construction, sonically etc)?
I have a chance to buy one that is in good condition and wanted to know a little more about it
Re: Nos I61 B0F Mullard?
Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 12:29 pm
by Guitar5986
They have less gain than an I63. People refer to the I63's as the "rock" tube and the I61's as the "blues" tube. I prefer I61's in the V1 position of my 10,000 series. Also, they are usually a tad darker than I63's from my experience.
Re: Nos I61 B0F Mullard?
Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 1:33 am
by Brandon
thanks for the info!
Re: Nos I61 B0F Mullard?
Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 9:58 pm
by Brandon
Do you know what's the deal is with the I62's? I heard something about that they're pretty rare and they only made them for like 4 months in 1964.
Do you know what tone they produce?
Re: Nos I61 B0F Mullard?
Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2012 5:51 am
by demonufo
Didn't know there was such a thing as an I62 (and I'm not convinced there is either!)
Pretty sure there isn't an I64 either, and I65's are usually Heerlen produced.
Re: Nos I61 B0F Mullard?
Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2012 1:53 pm
by Brandon
I have a Mullard/Rheem coming in today that's an I62. I'll let you know if it's legit and what it's like!
Re: Nos I61 B0F Mullard?
Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2012 3:14 pm
by demonufo
Brandon wrote:I have a Mullard/Rheem coming in today that's an I62. I'll let you know if it's legit and what it's like!
Cool!
I suspect if they do exist, they might not necessarily be from the Blackburn plant though...
Re: Nos I61 B0F Mullard?
Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2012 4:16 pm
by Brandon
Ok I got the I62 and it is legit, it sounds awesome!
It's says "Made In Great Britain" right on it and clear as day says I62. I'm really impressed with this tube's condition. The damn thing looks like it was made yesterday!
I can't say for sure whether it sounds more like a I61 or I63 yet, but it's in there right now with 2 I61's and I'm very pleased with the tone. But I do have a trio of I63's coming in soon so i'll be able to compare then.
But for now, it's def a mullard with that boomy, squeeky, sweet tone!
Re: Nos I61 B0F Mullard?
Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2012 5:28 pm
by demonufo
Splendid news. Something new learnt.
Any date codes on the tube?
Re: Nos I61 B0F Mullard?
Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2012 9:30 pm
by Brandon
We got:
B4e2
And
1022-5c8
Can you make anything out of that? I don't know date codes.
Re: Nos I61 B0F Mullard?
Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2012 5:24 am
by demonufo
Okay, B is for Blackburn (so it IS Blackburn produced after all)
4 is the year, I think we can safely discount 1954 or 1974, so 1964 it is,
E is the 5th month of the year (May)
and the 2 is for the 2nd week of the month.
Re: Nos I61 B0F Mullard?
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 5:53 am
by Brandon
Hmm very interesting
Thanks for the date coding lesson haha