Old Brand New EL-34's

[Ed_Chambley]

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.

[John]

To each his own, but I find it hard to believe they sound 10 times better than a $20 tube.

[overtone]

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

[Ed_Chambley]

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.

[Ed_Chambley]

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.