From tomhiwat–(at)–ol.com Thu Nov 21 13:44:58 CST 1996
Article: 18756 of rec.audio.tubes
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From: tomhiwat–(at)–ol.com
Newsgroups: rec.audio.tubes
Subject: Re: RCA Tube Factory Re-opening??
Date: 21 Nov 1996 18:08:48 GMT
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As promised.

Here are the details from a Groove Tubes press release handed out at AES.
Call them for a copy. (818) 361 4500 and tell Paul Patronette I said he
was a poo-poo head! 😉

S. F. Johnson president and founder of Fritztronics in Randolph, Mass has
set up a tube manufacturing facility in Milford mass, inside the Beam
Power Tube building that once produced tubes for RCA, Hytron, Raytheon and
others. It uses original restored RCA equipment from the Harrison NJ
plant. The first tube to be produced is a copy of the 1956 RCA 6L6GC. (
it is interesting to note that the 56, although overshadowed by it more
popular sibling, the ’57, had a 2×4 carb option for the 265 V8

The GT-6L6FZ (TOO many letters!!) will use the same type materials as the
’56 Chev- er- 6L6GC including carbonized grade A nickel plates
(audiophiles rejoice!) pure tungsten grids, premium A-31 Cathaloy
cathodes, all from the original vendors.

This was started while I was still there (at GT) and I remember Johnson as
very detail oriented and intent on getting this thing right. He even
found the original producers of the mica spacers!

Release date is said to be mid 1997.

The press release also says that Johnson has come up with a non-toxic
cathode coating formula. This would be important as this environmental
issue has hampered others from getting into tube production.

So, don’t hold your breath but it looks promising.

Tom

 

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