how can you tell fake telefunkens from real?

[kirksflooring]

I'd like to buy 1 or 2 telefunkens on e bay, but I've heard that many are fake reproductions. Are there any rules of thumb or secrets that anyone knows of to verify their authenticity? Is there a site anywhere that can verify the serial numbers? Also, what are the sound differences between the smooth and ribbed plates?

 

[Russ]

The easiest way is to buy the ones that have the diamond in the bottom. There are a lot of fakes out there but it is hardest to fake the diamond. People will say this or that about the screening (printing). Screening is often faked. In fact, there are people offering up pristine screened Telefunkens that are actually Ei's with a baked on enamel that can't rub off (fake). They can't fake the diamond though. If you study the plate structure and getter configurations as well as the micas in time you will learn to be able to spot real Telefunkens without needing a screening. Granted, Ei is still producing smooth plate tubes that are very close to Telefunkens. As you research the tubes you will eventually come across the date coding. I forget where I last saw the information posted. The date codes will help you determine the time of manufacture. Until you know exactly what you are buying I would hold off on purchases as you might buy something you would not otherwise buy, on impulse. There are enough people out there buying them that know what they are buying that it is often difficult to get a deal on nice Telefunkens anyway on e-bay. Something to consider is that you are competing not only with other guitar amp enthusiasts but also hi-fi audiophiles. The hi-fi guys are ruthless. They spend big money on stuff and drive the prices up.

 

[212Mavguy]

The best way to tell real tele's is the diamond in the bottom of the bottle inside the ring of pins.

Tonally, there is a difference between the EI long smoothplate and the telefunken smooth plate tone, not so much clean, but push the tube with a strong signal into the moderately dirty zone, and it's more easy to tell. The Telefunken smooth plate has more control over harmonics than the EI, the EI have a grittiness in the sound, the Telefunken tends to be smoother and more complex.

What your ears like in preamp tubes is going to be your preference. Don't get hung up on a brand name. If you are going to try vintage old stock try a variety of different makes. That ear joy that makes you want to keep playing nonstop can also change with time with one's personal tastes, and also depending on what guitar is playing through the amp. Some EI long smooth plates are rebranded with other brand names, I've seen them with Mazda, Mesa, Philips ECG, and Siemens.

I think that Russ has provided some great points in his post. Can find nothing to disagree with there. Have seen Telefunken Diamond in bottom long smooth plates on eBay labeled Gap/R Computor tube, also have seen vintage Tung Sol with that same label, prices go significantly lower, particularly for the Telefunkens with that label. It's only a different silkscreening! Peace.

 

[stokes]

All great advice.Having payed a big number for a couple of Telefunkens from a reputable source,I was actually dissapointed.They sounded great and were no doubt the real thing,but like Russ said the HI-Fi guys have really drove the price of these thru the roof,not worth it to me.There are plenty of other,more reasonably priced NOS pre-amp tubes that are a much better deal and sound fantastic.But if you do decide to spend the bucks,find a reputable source and be aware that even used Tele's go for way too much on ebay.