An $8 bucket of tubes question

[MartyGrant]

Flee market trip to small NM town today and found a gunky dirty plastic ice cream tub full of 30-40 tubes. Some boxed RCA and Sylvania, most were loose, all very dusty. "How much are you selling these for?", I said. "20 bucks," came the answer. "$20 a piece! Too much," I said. "No. $20 for the whole bucket," he replied. "I'll give you $8." He thought a minute and said, "O.K., 8 bucks." A guy standing behind me mumbled some four letter negativity as I left. Here's what I found just for my HRDX. These "look" perfect, like-new. BUT...I don't know yet if they are any good.

2 - JRP-Raytheon 12AX7's
1 - Fisher/Telefunken 12AT7/ECC81's
1 - Fisher/Telefunken 12AX7

Now for two rookie questions:
(1.) What should I do to make sure the pins are clean? They were dusty.
(2.) Is it safe to "test" them by the "put-em-in-and-see-what-happens" method or should I use a tester tomorrow?

[eugenedunn]

Great story Marty! Preamp tubes can be tested like you say I think. Didja find any power tubes?

[JimiBryant]

clean the posts as best as you can - just watch to see if the tube plates glow
bright red when the amp is on - and if they do, then shut it down pronto!

otherwise you can try 'em with impunity.

[MartyGrant]

Originally Posted by eugenedunn

Great story Marty! Preamp tubes can be tested like you say I think. Didja find any power tubes?

Not that I would recognize. Here's a few examples...RCA 5963, GE 6U8A's, GE and a Matbusita? 12BYTA, C64's, Trav??? 35Z5, Philco 7B7, GE 6BQ7 and others.

[eugenedunn]

Aren't the 6BQ7's used in the early silverfaced Fender MusicMaster Bass amps?

Yeehaw.... another reason to buy a MusicMaster Bass (8 buck bucket o' tubes).

(^_^)

[Scott S]

Coupla AA5 tubes in there. I think that's to be expected in any grab-bag of tubes.

Also, 5963 == 12AU7.

- Scott