Has anyone used these recently available overseas made tubes? I
had an RCA big console that used these..and now my Seeburg as well. I have a
nice set of nos GE in and working..nicely....but I wanted to get a spare set..I dont
want 6m subs..They are on the bay all the time..
jb

I believe they are a repinned Russian 6P1 - similar to 6V6 in characteristics. They may need a lower grid resistor like the 6CZ5, etc, if used near maximum ratings. 6973 was designed for very low grid leakage (possibly had a gold-plated grid?) and could use a grid resistor of up to 470K in fixed bias. Most power tubes only allow up to 100K in fixed bias...

The Russian 6973 are also smaller than the older ones so I wonder about the power rating - I would sub 6CZ5 myself (but then I have a few dozen).

6CM6 is the 9pin version of 6V6 & 12AB5 is 12v version... 6CM6 basing is slightly different from 6973, but only that it has one pin connected to screen vs two in the 6973 & 12AB5...

12AB5s are generally cheap, if you don't mind adding a 6v heater transformer in series, could use those...

Tom