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Tubes Asylum Questions about tubes and gear that glows. FAQ |
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Tubes Asylum Questions about tubes and gear that glows. FAQ |
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In Reply to: Ersatz Tele 12AX7: Can U ID?... posted by Tom Pain on May 7, 2002 at 12:11:35:
T Pain; Yeah... It's sorta important where they originated. Look for a diamond (vendors abbreviate to <> bottom for these) which IN MOST CASES indicates West German Telefunken. If the tube says "West Germany" its a lock; around 1991 after the Wall came down, Antique Elec. Supply got in 2500 pieces of ECC83 in boxes of 100; my friend Andy got 300; they had the diamond, said made in Germany, but had a slightly off-white printing of the logo, and after extensive research Andy and I learned via contacts in Belgium and Germany that there are a # of types with the <> that are EAST German; most common is a 6DJ8 type which has a funky brownish, way off center getter and of which 70% or so are microhonic from the start, the other 30% become so at 100 hrs or so. EF86 cannot be 100% ID'd by <>, and so, as it turned out, could those 2500 TFK ECC83. Not all Westies says "West", but the only 100% positive ID method I've found is a tube that has the <>, says "West Germany" and says ECC83/12AX7 indicating production for export to the US. When West German TFK upgraded some glass formers and vacuum gear, guess who got the old stuff with <> stampers? Thats right!!! Iron curtain tubes. Andy can go on on about plate vent style etc. for ID, and I can see already the flames that will hit my tale from people who don't know this not widely known info. Fine. Caveat Emptor. And you can bet your a** that I sold off my East tubes... perhaps this is why some people don't see what all the fuss is about TFK; they've spent $200 on a phono pair of Iron Curtains and been rightfully disappointed. Regards, Crispus Attacs.
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- Re: Ersatz Tele 12AX7: Can U ID?... - Chris Spafford 14:33:07 05/07/02 (0)
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