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Advice on a tube tester

Well I just got kicked off Facebook for the weekend so I'll probably be active here.  Not sure if that is a plus or a minus for Audiogon.  😎

I'm looking to buy my first tube tester.  I want to be able to identify bad tubes, verify readings on "NOS" or "used, measures like new" in tubes I buy, and I need to sell off a bunch of tubes and I'd like to be able to test them before I sell them.  Selling a bad tube, refunding the money, leaves me out shipping, a lot of work and 3 good tubes in limbo. 

So I'm looking at a B&K 707/747 or a hickok 539A or similar, mostly just based on what I see that fits my needs and seems to be $500 or less.  I see tested and calibrated tube testers for $1500 on ebay but I think I can get by for a lot less.

Tubes I have to test are 6l6 series, EL84, OA3/4, 6922, WE396, KT88 and maybe a few others.  it would be nice to test 300B/350B tubes but I think most testers doen't do that. 

So I'd appreciate guidance from people who have been testing tubes for a while.

Thanks,

Jerry

128x128carlsbad
jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 

look for recently calibrated tv7 or tv10 - i have a tv10, which is a militarized version of the hickok, allows for direct reading of tube mu (transconductance), whereas the lower testers tv7 and equivalents require a translation table to get the figures

i would think good ones go for a grand or more, maybe even 1500 - thats the market...

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,632 posts
 

I see tested and calibrated tube testers for $1500 on ebay but I think I can get by for a lot less.

You probably can- and it will need servicing and calibration. You may well spend the same amount as a result.

When testers like that were made they cost a pretty penny back in the 1950s. Imagine running a TV repair shop back then; this bit of test equipment was essential. If one were built on the same scale today and in the same manner, it would cost over $10,000.00.

 

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,471 posts
 

Adjust for inflation my tester was over $1600 in 1959. It cost $159 new 

carlsbad's avatar
carlsbad OP
1,551 posts
 

Should have added that I intend to do any work it needs myself.  Never came across a machine I couldn't fix. 

I just don't want to get one that is shot.  I see tube testers that the seller tested several tubes on to confirm it is working.  or are selling their spare that they use and confirm it works.

Calibration I can likely do myself on most of them.

Jerry

 

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,471 posts
 

If I did not see a video of mine in use, with 6 v power and 12v preamp tubes I never would have taken the chance.  Plus it looks like it belongs in a museum but that doesn’t mean anything other than someone took care of it.  It suggests a hobbiest used it and it wasn’t the shop workhorse. 
 

remember everything had tubes back then.  Most of these testers have seen heavy use and it shows.  

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