Box of NOS tubes: Any worth messing with?

[Weegie]

I had bought a box of tubes at an auction a while back and thought I'd do some experimenting if any are worth trying. I think all are NOS in there original boxes, some stamp dated back to 1972.

Sovtek 12ax7lps 99 10
RCA 5879
ECC83M Marshall??
IEC Mullard 6267 ef86
Sylvania 6KT8
RCA 6AU6A
RCA 12ax7A ECC83
IEC Mullard 12AT7 ECC81
GE 6FQ7/6CG7
RCA 12AU7A ECC82
RCA 12A7 ECC81

Should mention that I'd be experimenting with the VM 2466, Thanks

-- Sat Jan 22, 2011 10:50 pm --

Alright, so here's what I did tonight

V1: original JJ ECC83s that was in V2
V2: RCA 12AU7A ECC82 (stamped on the box Sept 18 1972)
V3: ECC83M, this was the original phase inverter in my 1989 Marshall 3203
V4: Sovtek 12AX7LPS

The result: Clarity in both LDR and HDR and I found I was running Detail and Body more equally, which has never been the case before (too much Body always got flubby). HDR gain was reduced but overall the sound was "bigger" for lack of a better word, a wound up JTM 45 kind of punch. I think the 12AU7 could make HDR a great solo boost. When I switched back and forth LDR to HDR, there still was a volume difference, but not way over the top like normal.

[Dave W]

Cannot use it on the VM, but that Mullard EF86 may be a desirable tube to sell?

I believe old Vox AC-30's and Matchless DC30's and the Dr Z Route66 use the EF86 tube and Mullards are desrirable tubes if it is NOS.