Tube Question

[Slim Pickins]

I have been looking at a few sites and suppliers for tubes. I have a few in my radio that tested very low on the good to very high on the week scale on the tube tester at a local shop. As an example I have seen 12AX7 tubes ranging in price from $7-$115. The descriptions range almost as much with some saying "strong highs and mid-ranges" to "strong base and low range". Some don't specify any particular use others say things like good replacement tube for Marshall Guitar Amp.
Will any one of these tubes work in my radio or are certain ones recommended for radio use. I have a week 12AX7 which in my radio is the 1st audio/Modulator/Mic Preamp, which might explain why I need the mic gain almost all the way up to be heard. Would it be better to have one more tailored to having strong base rather than highs and mid-ranges. I would think most male voices fall into the bass category.
I guess what I am asking is, are all tubes of the same number compatible? Obviously they are not all created equal or there wouldn't be such a price difference.

Thanks
Paul

[4 cycle]

All you need to worry about is if the tube tests good a 12AX7 tube is used in old TV sets, Radios, Amplifiers what ever, as long as it tests good it should work or for some tubes there are substitutes if the origonal is not available. Try KENS ELECTRONICS hes got that tube and hundreds more .That one is $11.00 Keep that tube stuff working , they are much better than todays pieces of SH -- OOPS TECHNOLOGY IMO. All my radios are 40 or more years old ! PS WHEN A TUBE TESTS WEAK ITS TIME TO REPLACE IT AND YES TUBES WITH THE SAME NUMBERS ARE COMPATABLE!

[Night Crawler]

As an example I have seen 12AX7 tubes ranging in price from $7-$115. The descriptions range almost as much with some saying "strong highs and mid-ranges" to "strong base and low range". Some don't specify any particular use others say things like good replacement tube for Marshall Guitar Amp.

All you need to worry about is if the tube tests good

That's right don't spend a lot of money for that tube.

The typical cb has a frequency response between 300hz to 3000hz due to the interstage coupling caps used in the speech amplifier and modulator.

You don't have to worry about getting a tube for high fidelity like used in a guitar amp or stereo.

[Slim Pickins]

Thanks for the responses.

Paul

['Doc]

All tubes made by different manufacturers are not the same every time. there can be some very slight difference, or the differences can make a huge difference depending on how they are used. For instance. Some 572B tubes can be used in an SB-200 and some can't. The difference in that particular instance is the way the tube is put together. Some have the filament/grid/plate structure facing vertically, while others have it facing horizontally. Those with the horizontal grids shouldn't be laid down like in the SB-200, the grid sags and shorts to the plate. Or maybe I said that the wrong way around, the horizontal/vertical structure thingy. You get the idea anyway.
There are differences in most tubes by different manufacturers, most of the time those difference don't make a lot of difference, but they certainly can.
- 'Doc

[721HACKSAW]

Doc is right, there are differences in tubes depending on thier origin of manufacture or how they are used. The Yaesu 101 was originally designed to use a Japanese made 6JS6C, you don't want to use a 6JS6C that was manufactured in the U.S. without making a capacitor change.