Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum
Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: Ed_Chambley on July 20, 2012, 02:58:55 pm
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http://www.telefunken-elektroakustik.com/products/el-34.php (http://www.telefunken-elektroakustik.com/products/el-34.php)
They want $200 each, but I thought I would pass this along. I have some like these. They sound just as good a Mullard FX2. It is expensive, but not near what a NOS Matched Mullard is bringing.
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To each his own, but I find it hard to believe they sound 10 times better than a $20 tube.
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Ouch!
I have seen those offered on the bay recently, but they are not the West German made TFKs. These are re-branded East German RFT tubes, packaged in TFK promotional wraps. The true West German TFKs have a different construction.
TFK had to source their tubes from behind the Iron Curtain, via a round-about route, to fullfil their contract obligations. So you will see RFT tubes with TFK logos. I have some which have the West German military eagle on them too, but the tube was actually made by "the enemy"! I have them with Siemens, Valvo and National logos too.
Concerning the price, I pay $20 (twenty) for a NOS RFT EL34 and they are indeed fine tubes for guitar amps. Whether the rebranded RFT with a TFK logo and marketing treatment is worth the extra cash is up to the buyer.
This all reminds me that I have a pair of West German TFKs here somewhere and I need to try them out against the RFTs.
Best, tony
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Ouch!
I have seen those offered on the bay recently, but they are not the West German made TFKs. These are re-branded East German RFT tubes, packaged in TFK promotional wraps. The true West German TFKs have a different construction.
TFK had to source their tubes from behind the Iron Curtain, via a round-about route, to fullfil their contract obligations. So you will see RFT tubes with TFK logos. I have some which have the West German military eagle on them too, but the tube was actually made by "the enemy"! I have them with Siemens, Valvo and National logos too.
Concerning the price, I pay $20 (twenty) for a NOS RFT EL34 and they are indeed fine tubes for guitar amps. Whether the rebranded RFT with a TFK logo and marketing treatment is worth the extra cash is up to the buyer.
This all reminds me that I have a pair of West German TFKs here somewhere and I need to try them out against the RFTs.
Best, tony
I have many Seimens and Mullard EL-34. Something in the photo I am missing, obviously. The construction you speak of, what is the differences. I did not pull out any tubes to examine, but speaking with the Folks there at Telefunken they are misleading people is what you say is the case.
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To each his own, but I find it hard to believe they sound 10 times better than a $20 tube.
I hear you. I have never paid that much for any tube, but I have been fortunate in this area.