Eddy current testing (ECT) signals produced by a differential bobbin coil probe vary according to probe design parameters such as the number of turns, geometry and coil gap size. In the present study, the characteristics of a differential bobbin coil probe signals are investigated by numerical simulation in order to determine the optimum coil gap. For verification of numerical simulation accuracy, a specially designed bobbin probe of which the coil gap can be adjusted is fabricated and a series of experiments to acquire signals from two kinds of standard tubes with the variation in coil gap is performed. Then, the experimental signals are compared to the simulation results. Based on this investigation, a decision on the optimum range of coil gap is made. The theoretically predicted signals agree very well to the experimental signals. In fact, this excellent agreement demonstrates a high potential of the simulation as a design optimization tool for ECT bobbin probes.