What are your go to LP's for evaluating new gear or new tubes?

In my modest system I use MFSL - Supertramp Crime of the Century and Pink Floyd DSOTM, because I like that type of music. I also will use Chris Isaak material because of the way it’s recorded. I particularly like his cover of Orbison’s “ Only the Lonely “. To the OP, I believe your Webcor tubes are relabeled Mullards. Unfortunately I’m not a Mullard guy and to me they sound like someone threw a blanket over my system. I’m a fan of Tekefunkens and within them prefer the G73-R’s and then the Tektronix or other Medical grade. If you’re looking for something that’s totally opposite of your Webcors try the Silver plate Seimens. Also to comment on Al DeMiola, I sat front row at a small theater a few years back and I never was a big fan of progressive rock. However Al played an acoustic set and rotated between conventional and classical guitars and he was phenomenal ! But I lack the depth of intelligence to appreciate music that complex. FWIT he told stories between songs and said his friend Mike gave Chick Correa a demo tape he recorded and that’s what landed him with Chick. But the kicker was when Mike recorded him, he was loaded on Acid. Then he joked that the way to Carnegie Hall was not “ Practice, Practice, Practice “ , it was “ Acid, Acid, Acid”.  Cheers to all and Happy Listening , Mike B. 

Di Meola's album that I mentioned is very very different. It was recorded in 1985, that's when I heard it for the first time. Mesmerizing and unusual non-trivial music. I don't like his fusion style and electric guitar work, with some exceptions. For his acoustic guitar performance try also Heart Of The Immigrants CD. A few compositions are excellent, well recorded for the time as well.

Sea Change by Beck is a beautiful recording.

Masterpieces by Duke Ellington.  The acoustic instruments really shine on tubes.

vetsc5

I'm pretty sure I have the Saint Saens in my organ collection. I probably have 100 or so pipe organ LP's. The Crystal Clear Virgil Fox recordings also reach 16hz. My speakers do 18 but I'm good with that. Pipe organ sounds pretty dang real to me. I'll have to hunt for the one you mention. I am fairly certain that I have it.

I also have a group of Zubin Mehta but not sure if I have the one you spoke of. I always watched for him on LP's when I'd be hunting the bins at thrift shops. I used to find sealed 30 and 40 year old records for $2. I always checked the open ones and if they looked like they had been played or abused, put em back. It would take me awhile but was usually worth the effort.