Strange how many used valves measure NOS?


Finally fired up my valve tester.
All I can say is be very afraid.
Out of boxes & boxes of used valves bought on here
and ePain, most of them are crap.
I don't mind the odd chance buy being duff but some bought from here cost a fair amount and I'll be taking "measures as NOS" with the pinch of salt it deserves on ebay from now on.
There's either a lot of uncalibrated valve testers out there
or a lot of lying b------s.
I think it may be the case that some of these have been tested many moons ago by the original owners, marked up then used for a few years then the resellers think since it's marked 90/90,
it's still nos.
Bizarre, I have definite NOS 6SN7's that struggle to make 90/90.
Still it's fun to discover the occasional diamond amongst the rough.
Yes I will be getting the tester's calibration checked but having done dozens of valves and half a dozen different types, I can't see that it can be far out.
We live & learn.
simon74

Showing 1 response by tbg

When you were able to buy NOS tubes in any town, you would occasionally get a bad tube. Untested NOS tubes from anyone are a crap shoot. Probably strong not NOS tubes have much life left in them.

Since in my experience, there are no new tubes that reach the level of tubes manufactured 40 years ago, I have to live with this uncertainty.