NOS Gold Lion KT88s

[funhungryman]

I bought a truckload of tube gear about a decade ago and in the lot were 6 Gold lion KT88s made in England....I have some nice gear but I am not sure I should use these, rather passing them on to a shop or other more “skilled” user and reinvesting the proceeds in my system. I am in pretty remote Northern CA, where can I take these to have them tested? (I am sure they are fine) as far as I can see there no marks on the pins to suggest they have ever been plugged in....2 sets are taped together 1 pair is separate. They all have their hand written spec sheets, though there are two styles of boxes 4 are very red 2 are more gold.

I know they sell on eburn for A pretty penny, what is reasonable to actually ask?

 

[chuckworkb]

Not tested it's hard to determine what they might be worth. The 2 sets taped together might be a matched quad of KT88's. You might have to mail them to someone to test.

 

[KlipschFan61]

Nice find!

 

[PakProtector]

Tested, and with good matching characteristics and those puppies should net north of $500 a pair. I sold a laundry basket full of Gold Monarch after matching them up at real operating voltages and was happy to watch the bidding. Unfortunately before I could put the proceeds back into the hobby, my wife bent her car...easy come, easy go...LOL
cheers,
Douglas

 

[crispycircuit]

Huh! $500 for used tubes??

 

[Nixxuz]

Huh! $500 for used tubes??

Extremely rare and highly regarded used tubes that test well.

 

[chuckworkb]

They all can't be bad, but without being tested you might end up short a couple of tubes for your money.

 

[PakProtector]

Huh! $500 for used tubes??

Go find a pair of gm and plate current matched Gold Lion KT88's and see what the asking price is...
cheers,
Douglas

 

[swechsler]

You bought a huge lot of tube gear and don't own a tube checker? I'd say it's time to invest in one.

 

[Fairlane]

OP if you get down to the Bay Area I would be happy to test them for you.

Then we could plug them into my MKIII's for the final test.

 

[nolasally]

I actually think there might be some sandbagging going on here. I think 500 for a pair of NOS GL kt88’s with test sheets in on the low side. You probably have some back door buyers pm’ing you as I type this. I would be very hesitant to ship these to a shop for testing. Try to find a Aker in your area to have them test properly on a good calibrated unit. Take lots of picks of tube on tester as well as tester itself. If truly NOS matched pairs should sell for 800-1000. The 2 that are no longer taped together slightly less 700ish. On the low side that’s over 3,000 in glass. Glws and trust your gut with people is all I can say!!!