Where to Get RFT EL34s

  • Thread starter Thread starter FourT6and2
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FourT6and2

FourT6and2

Well-known member
Anybody know where I can get some GOOD quality RFT EL34s? I need ones that don't have mechanical noise when you gently tap them. I bought 6 from a "reputable" seller on eBay, but all except one have filaments and/or grids that vibrate against each other like springs. And that noise is audible through the amp, but I like the tone of RFTs.
 
gtrs":f6hj2tc6 said:
http://www.nosvacuumtubes.net/product-category/power-tubes/power-tubes-el34-6ca7-power-pentode/
Click to expand...

$100 per tube is about twice the price of what RFTs usually go for.
 
One of our local guitar shops on Oahu has the mesa labeled, RFT's for 150$ a pair.
 
FourT6and2":1bxxgtbi said:
gtrs":1bxxgtbi said:
http://www.nosvacuumtubes.net/product-category/power-tubes/power-tubes-el34-6ca7-power-pentode/
Click to expand...

$100 per tube is about twice the price of what RFTs usually go for.
Click to expand...
Yes, they've become harder to find so the prices have gone up unfortunately.
Twice as much though?
Only if you are comparing prices with the junk that gets sold on eBay that's not tested or matched.
From good vendors this price is a little high but not out of line considering how hard they are to find from someone who's doing a good job matching a quad of them.
 
I grabbed some of the ones from Mesa. I figure if they're bad or DOA, they will back 'em. Thanks errbody!
 
The RFT tubes from Mesa arrived today. But they are DOA and don't work. I flip the amp on and immediately get a super loud pop + hum.

Back they go...
 
FourT6and2":3eqmb88c said:
The RFT tubes from Mesa arrived today. But they are DOA and don't work. I flip the amp on and immediately get a super loud pop + hum.

Back they go...
Click to expand...
WTF?
 
It's like RFT tubes are cursed. I've tried 12 of them so far and only one has worked. "New Old Stock" my ass. More like factory rejects or old, used tubes.
 
Replacement tubes came from Mesa. These ones work, and sound fantastic. Better than the "holy grail" '70s RFTs with the thinner bases that are supposed to be god's gift to tubes. But maybe the ones I have aren't as "New Old Stock" as the seller claimed. The ones from Mesa, at least I can trust. :)

This Chupacabra sounds incredible. So mean and snarly and lively now that I have most of the rig set (Bogner cab + G12M-25s). I might play around with preamp tubes at some point. But right now, I wanna stop toying around with things and just be happy haha.
 
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