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https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=home+made+tube+tester
so if you are not looking for actual values of plate current and transconductance, they are a great go / no-go tester and simple to use.
Clakefan, I have a chassis in my roof which is basically a 15W EL84 amplifier. I built it years ago and it could easily be modified so that you could plug in various valves and set bias and read electrode voltages. Next put a signal through them, drive the bits off 'em and give them a tap with a pen.
If they survive all that and sound ok and the volts come out right they are pretty close to being right.
You can have the chassis if you come by but! IT IS NOT SAFE! All open to the pinkies so you need to know what you are doing around live kit.
Dave.
You can pick up a good old built-like-a-tank emissions+shorts tester for much less, such as this Sencore - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SENCORE-MIGHTY-MITE-TC-114-Valve-Tube-Tester-6L6-6V6-ECC83-12AX7-/302361104237?hash=item4666204f6d:g:hEAAAOSw3h1ZTv38
Rift Amplification
Brackley, Northamptonshire
www.riftamps.co.uk
The problem with old valve testers is that that all hazardous to use as high voltages are exposed, and often in a poor state of repair, so I would not advise getting one unless you really know what you are doing.
A significant proportion of the cost of the VT1000 was getting it through approvals for Worldwide sale. This is not a cheap process, and a cost that needs to be recovered.
The VT1000 certainly isn't perfect, but does subject the valves to a wider range of tests than most vintage valve testers.
The ultimate test though is in the equipment that the valve is going to be used, as few tester can test for microphonics or noise.
(Don't really need 2 though. If anyone wants to buy a Champion 600 let me know.)
If they're good they'll not break. If they're bad, they'll break and you'll hear that characteristic squealing noise.
*An Official Foo-Approved guitarist since Sept 2023.
Thanks for the link to YouTube, and fair point about old testers, I know enough to know I'm not savvy enough to be safe so will avoid.
Wonder if you can rent those Orange testers for a day?