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6B4G substitute? - Printable Version

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6B4G substitute? - sdradioman - 08-01-2015

Are there any substitutes for the 6B4G output tubes for my 37-116 De Luxe? I tested them and the one Philco is very weak and the Ken Rad measured @ 3900 where average/good is 3000. Would like to just replace them both but D**n they are pricey. Whats so special about them?

RE: 6B4G substitute? - morzh - 08-01-2015

Rare.....


Try Bob Dobush,
I bought mine from him, and the price was very fair.
6A5 can do but with little rewiring. Mine uses them (rare version, there are two).

RE: 6B4G substitute? - sdradioman - 08-01-2015

Dang.....So it looks like I'm going to have to shell out some bucks if I want some NOS/strong ones. I'm not looking forward to dropping a $100 on a pair of tubes!

RE: 6B4G substitute? - Eliot Ness - 08-01-2015

Bob Dobush (Findatube.com) has new ones for $35, used for $18:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/113J1YelrffavBZyVSRHaLlsg5S4MIMeOmo5HjWHVrio/edit?authkey=CN7S0foD&pli=1#gid=1

RE: 6B4G substitute? - Paul Philco322 - 08-01-2015

A good used tube may last quite a while, I would not hesitate to take a used. many pulls from old sets can be quite good. I am sure Bob tests them.

Paul

RE: 6B4G substitute? - KCMike - 08-01-2015

Just to throw in with what Paul said. I have bought about 12 tubes at various times from Bob all used and have not had a problem with any of them. Good luck.

RE: 6B4G substitute? - Ron Ramirez - 08-01-2015

^ ^ ^

Me too. Bob is the best. Icon_thumbup

RE: 6B4G substitute? - Phlogiston - 08-01-2015

To answer your question, a 6A3 but you need to adapt the base to 4 pins.

RE: 6B4G substitute? - Arran - 08-02-2015

 I think that there would also be a way to use a pair of triode connected 6L6s in a pinch, but I'm not certain that a 37-116 has a driver tube or not.
Regards
Arran

RE: 6B4G substitute? - morzh - 08-02-2015

To add: my tubes in 37-116 tested weak, so just in case I bought a pair from Bob, used but good. Then when having finished with the restoration I put the old ones back first....let me just say, I never put the new ones in, the old weak ones sound fantastic.

RE: 6B4G substitute? - codefox1 - 08-03-2015

Yeah, "weak" ones sometimes do just fine especialy in this type of application.