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Message started by JOMAN on 04/18/25 at 13:25:48

Title: OC3 VR Tubes
Post by JOMAN on 04/18/25 at 13:25:48

I'm in the final stage of rolling OC3 VR tubes and wondering if anyone has any information on the following OC3 tubes...

Picked up a couple of OC3 Military un branded 1944 vintage tubes. These were in the original boxes the labels of which stated "Contractor: Western Electric". I could not find any conclusive information about Western electric manufacturing VR tubes. Some info stated that WE did and other info stated that WE did not.

The internal structure is similar if not identical to RCA pre 1940's OC3 Military grade tubes and any other brand of OC3 tubes post 40's vintage does not have the internal structure of these. Any thoughts???

Currently using Raytheon OC3W, rolling Chatham 1951 OC3W and these unbranded - Contractor 1944 WE tubes.

Title: Re: OC3 VR Tubes
Post by Lon on 04/18/25 at 13:42:17

My guess is that WE may have just relabeled another's tubes but I have no specific knowledge either way. My guess is that the structure will follow sound for the most part and they will have a similar sound to those RCAs.

Title: Re: OC3 VR Tubes
Post by CAJames on 04/18/25 at 15:37:16

I agree with Lon, I'm pretty sure WE didn't make 0C3 tubes so what you have is relabeled.

Title: Re: OC3 VR Tubes
Post by JOMAN on 04/18/25 at 21:13:13

Thanks guys, that was what I suspected. If they work out I'll try to find some 1940's RCA OC3's and compare.

Title: Re: OC3 VR Tubes
Post by CAJames on 04/18/25 at 23:38:02

FWIW I looked through my WE tube manuals, and they did make voltage regulator tubes. But they used the UX4 base, same as e.g. Type 80 rectifiers or the 300B. Also they had kinda funky regulation parameters.