Help dating some Tesla EL34.

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parntz145

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I have a guy that wants to trade me a quad of Tesla EL34. I need help dating the tubes. They have the black bases and double O getters. If anyone knows about these tubes please let me know about them. It also states in the link that these were made in Great Britian. I didnt know Tesla's were made there. Any help is appreciated. PICS of the tubes below.
 
The black base were produced later than th ebrown base Tesal. The brown base are more desireable. I have had both. The black bases are usually an E34L. I have only seen them as the E34L which is a variation on the EL34 just like the JJ e34L. they should not have Made in Great Britain. These were all made in Checkslovakia. I would be weary of them. I can look at the pics for you if you want. Thee were allot of fake Teslas.
 
glip22":2vomb7ty said:
The black base were produced later than th ebrown base Tesal. The brown base are more desireable. I have had both. The black bases are usually an E34L. I have only seen them as the E34L which is a variation on the EL34 just like the JJ e34L. they should not have Made in Great Britain. These were all made in Checkslovakia. I would be weary of them. I can look at the pics for you if you want. Thee were allot of fake Teslas.
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These are black base and say Tesla on the tubes in white silk screen lettering. They are my friends who I trust. I just think the guy he goththem from lied on the year these were made. My buddy is telling me they are from the 40's or 50's. I think from the research I have done they are from the 90's.

Thanks.
 
psychodave":28ayld57 said:
http://vintageamps.com/plexiboard/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=60619
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Dave I got a headache from that frigging site. I have been trying to compare but seems like there are real tiny differences year to year.
 
Dave if you still have the auction I e mailed you lastnight please post the link.
 
I would also say they are not made in Britain and I don't know why it would say they are. They look like Teslas, it's a pretty distinctive looking tube. Compare it to a modern jj el34l and if it's different then pull the trigger.
 
Loudness250":cr3dehhp said:
I would also say they are not made in Britain and I don't know why it would say they are. They look like Teslas, it's a pretty distinctive looking tube. Compare it to a modern jj el34l and if it's different then pull the trigger.
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They were def made before JJ bought them. Plus these say EL34 not E34 L on them. The problem with the black base ones are they had some that were not as good. In the auction the guy is stating these were made in Britian before the war. He said the Britian plant was blown up during the war. To me it sounds like BS because I never heard of Tesla made in Britian.
 
91 -92 Round tops. Good tubes but not as valuable as the Brown base. 140-150 a quad tops.
 
glip22":sg7zko9o said:
91 -92 Round tops. Good tubes but not as valuable as the Brown base. 140-150 a quad tops.
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Thanks. I would be putting these in my Cameron modded Marshall Aldrich. Any idea how they compare to SED winged C? Better or worse?
 
parntz145":2rap5wll said:
glip22":2rap5wll said:
91 -92 Round tops. Good tubes but not as valuable as the Brown base. 140-150 a quad tops.
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Thanks. I would be putting these in my Cameron modded Marshall Aldrich. Any idea how they compare to SED winged C? Better or worse?
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For new production imo the Winged C's are my overall favorite. I have had most of the NOS tubes including 7 quads of old XF2 NOS Amperex Bugle Boys. For guitar my first choice is the Mullard XF2 single getters, not the double which are great for hifi but too hifi for guitar. My second choice is close between the old Tesla brown base and the Amperex. The black base Teslas I had were also very good. I would take any of these over the Winged C first. Hope that helps. The german made RFT are also good tubes at lower plate voltages. I found them to fall apart somewhat under heavy power and volume. There is just some good mojo in these NOS tubes but I settle for Winged C anymore. Its hard to find a seller who knows how to match them. All this tested close on my Eico, etc. is crap. They will not be matched unless they are matched for current draw at 450 plus plate volts. Those Teslas are nice tubes. I always crave the brown bases. They have this tone to them. Complex. The Mullard XF2 single getters are impossible to find. I recently sold a like new pair that were great. Forget about a quad. The XF3 and XF4 coded Mullard stapled plates are good also but I would take the Teslas over them. :thumbsup: Yeah I had a six year run of NOS tube GAS. Bought and sold lots of preamp and power tubes from all over the world. Tubes are good :rock:
 
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