[Wes S]

So, now that the cat is most definitely out of the bag with the RFT ECC81 Folded Plate Foil Disc Getter, I feel it's time to share a little more info about this tube.

Over the years this tube has evolved in construction and they also vary slightly in sound. The earlier they were made, the warmer and more bass and mid focused they sound. I have some from 54' all the way to the late 60's. Basically, this tube started out with the labeling of Funwerk Erfurt and several versions latter they started having the RFT logo with the crossed swords. As far as construction, the differences in the shape of the glass bottle is the most notable change, followed by the getter and getter support. The earliest version (54') has the most rounded top on the glass bottle, and a single getter support rod with a perfectly round shaped foil disc getter, and as you get latter in production the top of the glass bottle becomes more square and the getter post becomes a double, and the foil disc getter becomes more oval with a crease in it.

Here is a pic that shows the evolution of the glass bottle with the Funwerk Erfurt ECC81 otherwise known as RFT.

Left to right - 54', 57', 58', and early 60's

 

[nwavesailor]

NICE!
I should have mine any day now!
While more bass is always welcome, I am not looking for a warmer tube so I will likely not be searching for the 50's version.
Thanks, Wes!

 

[4LoveOfSound]

I have a RFT funkwerk ecc83 (12ax7) on the way. I didn’t pay attention when ordering the backup ecc81’s. They aren’t the foil getter, they are newer halo getter. They still sound nice, particularly with my Auteur for some reason. Definitely not the foil getter though. Although, my foil getter has a hum in the left channel that just doesn’t want to go away. The halo getter is very quiet.

 

[nwavesailor]

My RFT have been sitting in NY for the past 9 days.
I guess the new even lower level of USPS 'service' is for real!

 

[Guidostrunk]

My RFT have been sitting in NY for the past 9 days.
I guess the new even lower level of USPS 'service' is for real!

Billy apparently lost his first pair. They hit NY and never moved.
This seller has 7 foil getters left. I bought a pair and Billy bought a pair.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/ECC81-RFT-...2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=707-127634-2357-0

 

[Wes S]

Speaking of USPS, I actually have not had a single package lost, but they have been all over the place with the delivery time frame. I have had some take less than a week to arrive and others 2.5 months, but I eventually got them all. It really is a crap shoot right now, and doesn't appear to be getting any better. . .

Nice find Sam on those ECC81 Foil Getters!

 

[Hiker816]

Has anyone tried RFT EL84/6BQ5 power tubes? Any good? Any recommendations on what vintage to get or avoid? Thanks!

 

[steve468]

I just got a pair of 60's RFT EL84, with halo getters. I honestly don't know if RFT made disc getter EL84s, I haven't seen any. In my brief experience, they are in line with the halo getters in other tube types: detailed, clear, fairly tight bass, but a fair bit brighter than other EL84s. I think they're actually a great match with a RFT ecc81 disc getter in the Pendant feeding VCs.

 

[Wes S]

I just got a pair of 60's RFT EL84, with halo getters. I honestly don't know if RFT made disc getter EL84s, I haven't seen any. In my brief experience, they are in line with the halo getters in other tube types: detailed, clear, fairly tight bass, but a fair bit brighter than other EL84s. I think they're actually a great match with a RFT ecc81 disc getter in the Pendant feeding VCs.

Did someone say RFT EL84 with Disc Getters?

I have a pair, and they have the same house sound as the ECC81.

Here is a full set of Funkwerk (RFT) Foil Getters. As I have mentioned earlier in this thread, this is the most neutral tube combo I have tried in my Pendant SE.

 

[Wes S]

Has anyone tried RFT EL84/6BQ5 power tubes? Any good? Any recommendations on what vintage to get or avoid? Thanks!

Look for Foil Getters and welded plates, which would be late 50's to early 60's. They sound just like the ECC81 Foil Getters, so yes they are killer.

 

[steve468]

I just knew someone would come along and correct my RFT ignorance. Honestly, how do you find these things? My wife already complains I spend too much time and money searching for tubes.

Anyway, thanks for the info. I have been enjoying the ecc81 disc getter; having a more neutral setup in the Pendant seems to play to it's strengths (depending on the headphones I'm using).

 

[Wes S]

I just knew someone would come along and correct my RFT ignorance. Honestly, how do you find these things? My wife already complains I spend too much time and money searching for tubes.

Anyway, thanks for the info. I have been enjoying the ecc81 disc getter; having a more neutral setup in the Pendant seems to play to it's strengths (depending on the headphones I'm using).

No problem, and always happy to help! As far as finding them, I am always on the hunt when I am awake. I have a ton of saved searches on ebay, and constantly check and search throughout the day online. I am obsessed with tubes and constantly study pictures of them so I know what to look for, and just can't get enough.

You have made a great point about having a more neutral setup playing to the strengths of the Pendant. I actually started out rolling all my "flavor" tubes in the begining and thought they were the bees knees, until I are starting rolling more neutral tubes. I have learned that I prefer the quickest and most neutral tubes I can find, and it really does play to the strengths of the Pendant, and takes things to another level. The Pendant with some neutral tubes in it like the RFT's, really sounds like the best of both the SS and Tube worlds combined, and paired up the VC is an incredible experience.

 

[Hiker816]

Look for Foil Getters and welded plates, which would be late 50's to early 60's. They sound just like the ECC81 Foil Getters, so yes they are killer.

Thanks, Wes! Should have known you'd have a photo at the ready. Thanks to you, too, steve468.

 

[4LoveOfSound]

Another tube I MUST look for..... thanks guys.... When I entered the tube world, I didn't fully realize what I was getting into! I didn't know the cost of the amp was going to be the least expensive part of owning a tube amp LOL

 

[jonathan c]

I just knew someone would come along and correct my RFT ignorance. Honestly, how do you find these things? My wife already complains I spend too much time and money searching for tubes.

Anyway, thanks for the info. I have been enjoying the ecc81 disc getter; having a more neutral setup in the Pendant seems to play to it's strengths (depending on the headphones I'm using).

Wife should be happy: tubes =/= pornography