[goldwerger]

Recommended book. Pasquale also has a book on the EL34 and related. I contributed a few pictures. Both books are a wealth of information about these tubes and the manufacturers.
https://www.musica-parole.com/guide-to-the-6l6-6550-kt66-kt88-6550a/

Wow, looks comprehensive.

I sent a request for a copy.. thanks for sharing!

 

[Kdot]

Recommended book. Pasquale also has a book on the EL34 and related. I contributed a few pictures. Both books are a wealth of information about these tubes and the manufacturers.
https://www.musica-parole.com/guide-to-the-6l6-6550-kt66-kt88-6550a/

Nice! I used the EL34 book to confirm hat my Matsushita El34 were made with Mullard tooling, it's a fantastic resource, but didn't know about this one! Definitely requesting a copy.

 

[Dixter]

just so folks know... the tube reference books are for sale.... not for free...

 

[Kdot]

just so folks know... the tube reference books are for sale.... not for free...

Didn't realize that! But I am happy to pay, the EL34 book was very helpful and informative.

 

[goldwerger]

just so folks know... the tube reference books are for sale.... not for free...

He may want to state that on his website and put a price. of course, happy to pay as well. Waiting for reply.

 

[Dixter]

this is his reply... for those that would like these... they do seem to be pretty thorough...

Thanks for you e-mail. The guides are two: one about EL34/6CA7s tubes and the other about beam tetrodes (from 6L6 and KT66 to 6550a, KT88 and so..)

I'm selling both in PDF, paying 28 euros via Paypal to my address: pasqua49@libero.it

For further information, please visit my new web-site:

www.musica-parole.com

 

[goldwerger]

this is his reply... for those that would like these... they do seem to be pretty thorough...

Thanks for you e-mail. The guides are two: one about EL34/6CA7s tubes and the other about beam tetrodes (from 6L6 and KT66 to 6550a, KT88 and so..)

I'm selling both in PDF, paying 28 euros via Paypal to my address: pasqua49@libero.it

For further information, please visit my new web-site:

www.musica-parole.com

I’ll send him PayPal hope works smoothly - thanks for facilitating

 

[Dixter]

I’ll send him PayPal hope works smoothly - thanks for facilitating

well.... not sure why he didn't just say it out in the first place.... I'm sure he has put in a lot of work with these guides...

 

[goldwerger]

well.... not sure why he didn't just say it out in the first place.... I'm sure he has put in a lot of work with these guides...

Sent him PayPal based on info you gave hope this will make sense to him..

 

[Toonartist]

Just received my last GEC KT88 backup. Excellent condition, pretty much the same as the other spare but that didn’t have the GEC paper label. My first NOS pair were dated 1980/81 both with black plates but slightly smaller bottle neck on them compared to the 1960/70's backup pair I have. You can see the mica on the 1981 tube on the left in the pic below is closer to the top of the bottle whereas the older one has more space above the mica. No idea if there were any changes internally but both pairs sound the same or so close I wouldn't be able to tell!

New used tube big side flashes, hardly used I’d guess.

1981 vs 1961

 

[Kdot]

this is his reply... for those that would like these... they do seem to be pretty thorough...

Thanks for you e-mail. The guides are two: one about EL34/6CA7s tubes and the other about beam tetrodes (from 6L6 and KT66 to 6550a, KT88 and so..)

I'm selling both in PDF, paying 28 euros via Paypal to my address: pasqua49@libero.it

For further information, please visit my new web-site:

www.musica-parole.com

The EL34 guide also has some info (but not a lot) on EL37 and EL38 as well btw.

 

[Toonartist]

The EL34 guide also has some info (but not a lot) on EL37 and EL38 as well btw.

From what I read online, the EL38 is derived from EL37 but with a reinforced cathode and screen and was intended for use in TV sets.

 

[Toonartist]

If anyone is curious about GEC KT88 date codes. My older pair are SF which = June 1961 and newer ones follow the 8133 I believe 33 is the week number but not 100% sure. I know we don't have 33 months though

Taken from another forum

"GEC KT88 Dating. Older tubes, first letter = year and second letter = month. Later on they changed to numerical 7410 = 1974 Oct.

A 45
B 46
C 47
D 48
E 49
F 50
G 51
H 52
J 53
K 54
L 55
M 56
N 57
P 58
Q 59
R 60
S 61
T 62
U 63
V 64
W 65
X 66
Y 67
Z 68
"

 

[Dixter]

would be cool if someone with good ears.. not me... could take one of the older KT88 and compare them to the new KT88 from Amazon... how much different are they actually... ???

 

[Toonartist]

would be cool if someone with good ears.. not me... could take one of the older KT88 and compare them to the new KT88 from Amazon... how much different are they actually... ???

I haven't made that comparison but....

Review and comparison of the KT88

Edit. I found the GEC KT88, as @AnyDave mentioned, has a big big stage with a beautiful airy treble that's smooth as you like. It has an almost spherical 3d feel to the imaging.