Stock tubes for 110-RD50

Eryops

I just bought a 110-RD50 in great condition. The tubes in it are Philips ECG, which I think are no longer manufactured. I'm just curious whether these might be the original tubes. Do we know what brand of tubes were stock for this amp? Normally, I'd just replace the tubes immediately, but I'm thinking that I might want to keep these. NOS Philips seem to be very expensive.

Profile picture for user mm210
Music Man Equipment
MM 2-10-65

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12 years 3 months

mm210 Sat, 01/28/2017 - 15:59

First off, what are the tubes IN the 110-RD50? ASSUMING ( and we all know THAT'S a mistake!) that they are some form of 6L6GC's. Phillips would be around the right time frame but I'm NOT up on the little RD's like I should be but they SOUND like the right era. Those ARE expensive now. GGEEEEZZZZ! Mike.

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Terry King
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RD50-110

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9 years 5 months

Eryops Sun, 01/29/2017 - 06:08

Yes, they are 6L6s. I'm curious about what the stock tubes would have been back in 1982.

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Lars Verholt
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HD-130 head, 210X cab, 210RH cab, RD-50 110 combo, Sixty-Five 112 combo, RP65-112

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12 years 3 months

lmv Sun, 01/29/2017 - 09:51

My 110 RD had blue label Phillips in it. These were last manufactured in the late 80s. Could be the original ones. Congrats on the purchase btw!

Cheers,
Lars Verholt

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Terry King
Music Man Equipment
RD50-110

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9 years 5 months

Eryops Mon, 01/30/2017 - 10:00

Thanks, Lars -- this little amp is a beast! It's amazing that the 35-year-old tubes still sound great, especially considering that the numbers on all the knobs are worn off. It's clearly been well-used.

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Ian Azrikan

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12 years 3 months

inertian Thu, 02/02/2017 - 07:45

I've seen Phillips and Sylvania tubes in the "all original" MMs amps I've encountered.

Check the 12AX7 driving the Distortion circuit, if it's Phillips as well I think you are looking at factory tubes.

Has the amp been recapped? Distortion circuit modded to be more useful? MM labeled ceramic or EV speaker?

Speaker wise, the Celestion G-10 Gold and WGS ET-10 sound great with this amp.

Full Name
Terry King
Music Man Equipment
RD50-110

Member for

9 years 5 months

Eryops Thu, 02/02/2017 - 10:23

Inertian, I've got the EV speaker, which sounds great. I will be taking the amp in to be checked over for recapping, etc. It seems to be in perfect working condition.

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Ian Azrikan

Member for

12 years 3 months

inertian Thu, 02/02/2017 - 13:30

I found the EV speaker a little too "in your face" for my style of playing, however a lot of people love them. Gotta be the heaviest speaker ever made too...

For recapping, here's an earlier post you may find helpful (#4 in the thread): http://pacair.com/mmamps3/node/2141

Good luck and enjoy!

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