Score! and questions

[Cliff Schecht]

I just scored 21 different EL34's out of some old HP power supplies that were getting trashed. Most of them are XF1, XF2 and XF4 type Mullards as well as some Amperex Bugle Boys and Telefunkens. Most of them are in pairs or quads so I get to sort through the lot and match what I can. I also got some nice 5751's and ribbed grey long plate Telefunken 12AX7s. I think the coolest things I found though were two unused Tung-Sol pencils with really cool dual erasers that look like hammers.

So I'm no EL34 expert and I don't really know the difference between the different XF types and the other nice ones I found. Can you guys give me some insight on the difference between these tubes (sonically, construction details, etc..)? One of the pairs is definitely going in my Express (I just recently dropped the amp at the studio and broke the 34's I was using ) but I don't know which ones would be the most "correct" to use.

[billyz]

Nice Score Cliff. As I understand them, the XF1 are the most desirable , especially lf they have the metal base. Then the the xf2 and so on, But of course the xf4's are light years better than any thing modern. Almost anything Tungsol is superior to other makes too. Did you find any 6cg7 or 6fq7 tungsols ? I would be interested

Billy Z

[Big Jim]

Cliff,
Some guys have all the luck! I think the XF2's are the ones everyone seeks out. I dont however, know all the details you seek. Nice find though
Jim

[Reeltarded]

HAH! I hate you, but only on the internet.

[Colossal]

HAH! I hate you, but only on the internet.

+1! Great score Cliff!

[Cliff Schecht]

Nice Score Cliff. As I understand them, the XF1 are the most desirable , especially lf they have the metal base. Then the the xf2 and so on, But of course the xf4's are light years better than any thing modern. Almost anything Tungsol is superior to other makes too. Did you find any 6cg7 or 6fq7 tungsols ? I would be interested

Billy Z

No metal base ones and most seem to be XF2 types, but a few oddballs and such. Maybe I'll post some pictures, the labels range all over the place. Some are Gt. Britain but are labeled RCA and GE, others are Amperex and labeled Gt. Britain (others are Amperex Holland and others are W. Germany). Pretty wide range of styles it seems and I'll probably sell of the more valuable ones to finance the parlor guitar I've been wanting forever.

Hopefully someone can chime in with more details, it seems even the internet is somewhat skimpy on the details.

I stumble upon 6CG7 and 6FQ7 types pretty often, never paid much attention to them but I have a few in my collection already. I look through what I have and see if I have any Tung-Sol branded ones you'd be interested in. If you don't mind my asking, what are you using them in?

[billyz]

They are for my hifi amplifier . They are a bit like a 6sn7. Good as a driver, phase invertor. If I remember, Ampeg used them as a reverb driver in a capacitive coupled circuit, no Transformer.

[billyz]

[quote="Cliff Schecht"

No metal base ones and most seem to be XF2 types, but a few oddballs and such. Maybe I'll post some pictures, the labels range all over the place. Some are Gt. Britain but are labeled RCA and GE, others are Amperex and labeled Gt. Britain (others are Amperex Holland and others are W. Germany). Pretty wide range of styles it seems and I'll probably sell of the more valuable ones to finance the parlor guitar I've been wanting forever.

Hopefully someone can chime in with more details, it seems even the internet is somewhat skimpy on the details.

[/quote]

They might all be made in the same factory, look for the etching marks in the glass, with the codes for date and factory. The labels can be deceptive.

Check out this link. http://www.audiotubes.com/mullcode.htm
Also, read his descriptions of tube makes, it might shed the light on what you have and what they might be worth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXBVSIaq ... r_embedded#

[dynaman]

It's been a while, but I've owned dozens Mullard EL34s through the years. What I do remember about the ones I personally owned is:

XF1s are easily identified by their bigger bases. Welded plates with two halo getters. These always had the best resale value. I've only seen these with varying shades of brown bases.

XF2s had the same construction as XF1s, but had smaller bases that are the same diameter as their glass, as do the later models. Everybody loves these. I think they're the same as XF1s, but way more plentiful. I do remember reading that some of these came with a single getter, but I've never seen one. I've seen both brown and black bases.

XF3 & XF4 had stapled or "crimped" plates and single getters. I've only seen black bases.

I don't think I've ever came across a Mullard that didn't have a date code etched into the glass. The screening might be long gone, but the date code is always there.

The Telefunkens are the cream of the crop if they're the larger glass and dual ring getter variety. I'm not talking about the East German stuff usually seen on Ebay. You know the kind - skinny glass commonly labeled as RFT or Siemens. And they look like modern Sovteks or Electro Harmonix. I've only owned less than two dozen of the "real" Tele EL34s, and they command a really good price. As good or better than Mullard XF1s.

Check out this site for pics and a bit of info on both Mullards and Telefunkens.

http://www.tube-classics.de/TC/Tubes/AudioTubes.htm

Check this site and click on "vacuum tube stock". Their prices are intimidating, but it's a good place to just view pics and desriptions.

https://www.tubeworld.com/index_high.htm

There are some other places with more information about Mullard/Philips/Amperex construction and date codes, but I can't remember them.

[Drumslinger]

excellent score Cliff!

[KellyBass]

Hey, Cliff! PM sent.

[JamesHealey]

I've had xf2 single getter before!

And lots of xf4

All nice!

[Cliff Schecht]

Just found an IEC/Mullard 12AX7A today labeled Great Britain. Not Blackburn (I don't think..) but still known for the quality. I also found a "Triad" 7025/12AX7 (Japan made) that I'm excited to try out. Never heard of the brand and didn't inspect the other labeling but I'm always super stoked to find clean 7025's.

[selloutrr]

PM if you need them tested