1959 wurlitzer model 2304s restoation help

I have a wurlitzer model 2304s Jukebox that I am restoring and having some problems getting the tubes. I see on the internet and e-bay that the tubes sometimes are classed as the same and this is confusing me. there are also many different tubes of the same type but prices range quite different. what is the deal with all these tubes. some better then others some make the jukebox work better. this is all so very confusing. I hope to find some help before I invest money on these tubes. I need 2ea. 7025, 3ea. 12ax7, 2ea. 12axu, 4ea. 6972, 1 ea. 5u4gb. are these tubes ness are will others work to do the same job. very confusing. can anyone help? Tubed out.

John,
It can be somewhat confusing--but to "kiss", just use the tube that's called for in each socket. Usually, a later version of a tube will replace an earlier version, but the earlier version should not be used, if not called for, in a later unit. For instance:
The "5U4gb" is a late version of the tube that was called a "5U4" originally. The second version was a 5U4G, next was a 5U4GA, then the 5U4GB version.
BTW--are you sure that it calls for "6972" tubes and not "6973" tubes ?
If you are interested in sub's, purchase a "Tube Manual" and you can them make sub's based upon the info in the manual. Ron Rich

thanks for the info. it was a 6973 not a 6972. I will try to find a tube manual. I purchaced a mercury model 990 to test tubes and it works brillent this is what told me my tubes were faulty. again thanks.

Just a word of advise--if the 4 6973's are bad, you most likely need to replace caps prior to inserting new tubes. You may also have some bad resistors---Ron Rich

caps? what are they. Capasiters? and maybe resisters? all the tubes failed except the 12au7'S is there a way to check these before tubes are installed. will installing the tubes cause the tubes to fail if there is a bad capasiter or resister? I did not know this.

Yep--But if you don't know how to check this "stuff",You probably need to send your amp out for rebuilding-- 50 year old parts are worn out, and can cause "fatal" transformer failures-- Ron Rich

thank-you very much for the info. is the amp all I really need to worry about? I was hoping to trouble shoot this unit myself as I want to learn as much about it as I can. also I have to replace the speakers. I was going to try and replace them with more modern units and was wondering if I will loose the original sound or what would you say is the best way to go. I cannot really see putting old speakers back in it. When it comes down to it I have never heard it play anyway. I do like the sound from these old style boxs though. I had a newer NSM for years and it sounded great. but these old wurlitzers are post to sound good as well. your info is very much appreciated. thank-you.

John,
I would NEVER replace any jukebox speakers with "newer" ones. Most jukebox companies designed the cabinet and speaker system as one unit. If the cones are damaged, I would have them re-coned. Sorry, IMHO, a jukebox amplifier is not a "starting place" to learn about amplifiers. I would strongly suggest that no one, without electronic experience "mess" with them. Ron Rich

thanks for the info I will try and find someone to have a look at the amp. as for the speakers it is the fabric that has been damaged. I tore them as I was trying to clean them. The speakers can be rebuilt then. interesting. thanks.