Help me identify these tubes...(Calling all tube heads)

Mass · Post by **Mass** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 10:33 pm

Hello all,

Today at work, I happened upon an old tube driven Baldwin organ that a customer was getting ready to sell at a yard sale.
He decided he was going to keep it as a decoration, but let me take the tubes out of it.
I am pretty good with tubes, but this one kinda stumps me.
I pulled a quad of 6BQ5's out, and they are labeled "Baldwin piano and organs" There is a print on it stating that it is ~made in Japan~, which is self explanitory, but I don't know who the manufacturer is.

I also pulled out a rectifier tube 6U4Gb, again~Made in Japan. same deal..it doesn't state the manufacturer.

Now, here comes the meat of this post.
I pulled out 3 12AX7's, and one 12AX7A labeled "Baldwin piano and organ" MADE IN USA.

Can anyone help me identify who the american manufacturer would be on the preamps (12AX7's,/A???), I would LOVE to know.
If by some quirk you know the manufacturer of the power and rectifier tubes, fire away, but more concerned with knowing the make of the preamps, and any other info concerning them.
Thank you for all your help,
Mass

killertone · Post by **killertone** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 2:00 am

The 12AX7's are Sylvanias. I have a few of those labeled Baldwin myself. Great tubes.

The Japanese stuff is probably Matsushita. I belive Mullard set them up in Japan if I am correct.

Mass · Post by **Mass** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 9:19 pm

Dear Killertone,

Thanks for the info. Is the printing on yours green? I assume that since there were 3 12AX7's and 1 12AX7A, the 12AX7A was the VI in the organ circut. I think that the the 12AX7A has a bit more voltage to it?
Give me your thoughts there, and correct me if I am wrong on the 12Ax7A.
Thanks again so much,
Mass

killertone · Post by **killertone** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 12:02 am

Yup, the printing on mine are green as well. The difference with a 12AX7A is that it can be used in series DC circuits if I recall correctly. I don't think there is much of a gain difference between it and a regular 12AX7, at least not that I can hear with the ones I have. Good score you got there!