Tube code help

muncybob

I have on loan some Phillips E88CC Miniwatt SQ tubes(thanks agn Kerry!). The only coding I can find on these shows 2 lines...the first is just LB and the other is 15C2. I have no idea how to make anything of this. Help?

heiney9

Can you post a pic? That doesn't sound like a European tube code. Where is in on the tube?

H9

GlennDog

I don’t know H9 ...Little slow on the uptake, eh? ... 2 minute response time

heiney9

Coincidence, as I had just logged in this morning......lol

H9

muncybob

I'll try an post a photo but the markings are very hard to see/read. They are on the side of the tube toward the base.

heiney9

Identification code for a Philips E88CC (top line) is 7L* 7L is the code that identified this as an E88CC, the code is unique. The asterisk being the (production) change code, 2,3,5,7, etc. The larger the number the later the tube and each subsequent number means something was changed vs. the previous production tube. (ie; using steel grid posts vs. copper or a getter change, etc, etc)

Second line of code identifies where it was produced and a date code.

15 is not a production factory identifier for Philips tubes. Most common is B for Blackburn England; D for Hamburg Germany; = with a slash through is Munich Germany; Delta triangle is Heerlen Holland.

It is possible the markings are incomplete and partially rubbed off.

There is a rare Heelen made tube with a double stage getter with the production code of 7LD or 7LG or 7LH, but the 2nd line of code starts with a Delta triangle.

H9

heiney9

E88CC is the Euro equivalent to the 6922 (6DJ8). A true E88CC can only come from a European plant. Telefunken, Philips, Siemens and Mullard. Most if not all have gold pins.

All others are not TRUE E88CC's and most likely are 6922's with the wrong/fake label.

All that said, I have never collected or used 6922/6DJ8 tubes so I don't have the deep knowledge of these tubes and the construction difference's etc. Like ECC81/82/83.

H9

muncybob

Here are shot shots of the tube. There is no way I can capture the codes.

heiney9

Thanks, let me do a little research and I'll post back. I'm betting the codes are smudged anyway and incomplete.

H9

heiney9

Is the getter as disc getter with dimples? Hard to tell, but in the 3rd photo it looks to be a solid disc with dimples which was common for later Holland made tubes

muncybob

They look smooth to me.

heiney9

Not an expert with 6922/6DJ8 types since I've never owned any gear that uses them. The gold pins, construction and the fact that smudged codes could in fact be correct, this is most likely a Holland made tube, probably mid to late 60's.

Also if it sounds great like you say, then it's probably the real deal. Nice tubes

Enjoy

H9

muncybob

Thanks for your help. I think they will be keepers

txcoastal1

Reach out to BRENT JESSEE and see if he can ID the tube

heiney9

You're going to need better photo's. If you did have more detailed, clearer photo's I could tell you for sure.

H9

txcoastal1

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Philips-Miniwatt-SQ-E88CC-6922-Gold-Pin-Holland-/152759921417

muncybob

I'll try to get better photos. Having trouble with the camera. They look exactly like those ebay ones. Put on DSOTM(have not heard it in awhile) last night and how sweet it was.

muncybob

Better?

treitz3

I was researching something today and ran across this thread. I missed it somehow during the first go-'round. Anyhoo, here is a link to a thread I started on another forum that pretty much has links to almost everything you would ever want to know about tubes, codes and tube suppliers.

https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/tube-supplier-and-cross-reference-thread.5438/

Hope this helps if you never did find and answer to your query, Bob.

Tom