Amperex 6DJ8 Tubes...Types and Production Years

From the 1958 to ~1976 Amperex made a lot of different styles of the 6DJ8 . This guide will try to put them in chronological order of production.  I will be limiting this guide to those tubes made at the Heerlen, Holland plant...manufacturing home of the Bugle Boy (BB) tubes. This guide is preliminary and is based on production codes I have seen. If anyone wishes to add to it, I welcome your input, and will update this guide and give you credit.

The types I have seen so far are:

1. Amperex White Label with D Getter 1958-1960

2. Amperex White Label with Halo Getter 1960-1966

3. Amperex BB Tiny Label with D Getter 1958

4. Amperex BB Med Label with Lg.Halo Getter 1960-1962

5. Amperex BB Med Label with Sm.Halo Getter 1962-1966

6. Amperex BB Big Label Lg Halo Getter 1961

7. Amperex BB Big Label Sm Halo Getter 1964

8. Amperex BB with Treble Clef & Sm Halo Getter 1966

9. Amperex Orange Globe with Halo Getter 1966-1968

10. Amperex Orange Globe with Disc Getter 1969

11. Amperex Orange Globe with A-Frame Getter 1969-1976

12. Amperex Orange Globe PQ with A-Frame Getter 1971-1972

13. Amperex White Label with A-Frame Getter 1972-1976

14. Amperex OEM for HP with D Gettter 1960

15. Amperex OEM for HP with Halo Gettter 1963-1967

16. Amperex OEM for HP with Disc Gettter 1969

From the above it appears that types 1&2 were made concurrently with types 3-8, the Bugle-Boy types. Types 14 &15 were also made concurrently with types 3-8.

Current opinions are that the Bugle Boy logo was added for marketing purposes, however many of these tubes found their way into test equipment. The addition of the Treble Clef in 1966 may have been for marketing also.  The Treble Clef BB tubes are quite rare.

If your amp is an open construction, the Bugle Boy logo adds a decorative note. If that additional note improves the sound, GREAT! Ultimately your choice is what you like to hear. 

Beware!  I have seen false claims <WHY?> of Bugle Boy tubes made previous to 1958...Amperex did not make the 6DJ8 tube prior to 1958.

If you have any questions, or have any additional info contact me: a_caveman

Enjoy the music.....

   
Tiny Label                Medium Label     Large Label          Treble Clef var.