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03-14-2022 09:18 AM
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Yes, other forums have been talking about this. I did go and "stock up" on a few power tube types I use, to have for the near future... prices are already rising.
The problem is, there are only 3* tube factories in the world. JJ in Czech Republic, New Sensor in Russia, and Shuangang in China *(which burned down in 2019, and there has been no rebuilding of it as of yet).
With the exports from Russia being stopped, that leaves JJ as the only current viable tube manufacturer on the planet.
Preamp tubes last a long time, power tubes less so, and it depends on the amp. For those of you who are running tube amps, you might think about purchasing at least 1 set of replacement power tubes, as the prices have already started rising, and it's only going to continue as long as JJ is the only place the western world can get tubes from.
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I’ve always thought tubes made in the USA would be a great business. You could license RCAs logo and then charge 20x what the imports do and people will buy them because it’s made in the USA.
If you can float the company like 5-10 years a new group of players will come along who think the new RCA tubes are the same classic ones.
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Do you really think guitarists will pay $300 plus for new USA made tubes for their guitar amps?
Originally Posted by AllanAllen
There is a company making a particular tube for audiophiles here in the USA and the price probably means that only those with serious disposable income are buying them.
Western Electric - Maker of electron tubes and high fidelity
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Eventually, yes. I do think they will pay that. Are you familiar with ANOS tubes? "Almost New Old Stock" aka, used, aka garbage.
Given time, the box saying Made In The USA will be enough.
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Yes, and do we really think this wasn't seriously examined and rejected by Groove Tubes etc? Originally Posted by Stringswinger
I can't think of better way to lose money- except to buy a boat or a winery!
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Or a high end luthier made archtop. Originally Posted by bluejaybill
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I don't think the board at Fender (they own Groove Tubes) is interested in a decade long project for their USA made tubes to take off. There are plenty of financial and environmental concerns why it'll never happen. Unfortunately, you can't just retrofit a light bulb factory to make tubes.
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Time to go with the better alternative.
Solid state.
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My audiophile friends in China shall be happy to take your money:
Changsha Shuguang Audio Ltd. - Shuguang audio（shuguangtube audio） .
JJ is still going strong in Slovakia. EHX may be having a problem with its Russian source but I won't be concerned.
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Originally Posted by BBGuitar
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It can’t be too long before an alternative to vacuum tubes comes along to keep these great old amps still going.
If we look at how much processing power and tech we can cram into an iwatch or phone (battery included) it is only a matter of time before we have better direct replacement modelling valves. There have been a few stabs of it in the past however the availability and cost of tubes prohibited the business case. Tech has improved significantly since then. Once these original thermionic valves (currently double cost) is x4 the cost, you start to think how much tech can you cram into a $30-$50 Evalve? It only needs to do one thing well- emulate the valve it is replacing. Power source already provided.
wont make the existing amps any smaller or lighter. Future amps though may end up with lighter transformer requirements…
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While there are alot of tube amps still out there being manufactured, there's also alot of solid state stuff, and it's becoming more all the time. I do think the tubes guitar amp will eventually be in the "antique" category, and a few people will be willing to pay $300 for a 6V6 tube. However, that is not a viable market plan, and things like Fender's Tone Master series, will, eventually, make tube amps , for most intents an purposes, extinct.
That being said, I think SS has come a long way, but I am still not giving up my tubes amps yet. So I DID go buy at least several years worth of replacement power tubes last week.
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Rumor has it Shuguang burned down in 2019 and isn't rebuilding. It's possible those tubes are rebranded EHX, or just burning through old stock. Originally Posted by Jabberwocky
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One can already buy a solid state rectifier plug in for a very reasonable cost, I suppose solid state plug in tubes would be of use if they could emulate the tube sound. Perhaps it will simply be very expensive to use a tube guitars amp in the future and they will be status symbols. Like owning a Dumble. Originally Posted by EastwoodMike
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Message from The Tube Store
We are overwhelmed with orders and need to temporarily close our website.
We cannot accept any new orders until we get caught up.
Please check back soon.
- thetubestore.com
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In any case, JJ would be the most ethical choice, since Slovakia is a country that 'performs favourably in measurements of civil liberties, press freedom, internet freedom, democratic governance, and peacefulness', in the words of Wikipedia, which also notes, "The country maintains a combination of a market economy with a comprehensive social security system." Originally Posted by Jabberwocky
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Panic Buying? Better stock up on Toilet paper as well. Originally Posted by Litterick
About 3 mths back I bought a second set of spares - For a Class A EL84 amp with EF86 preamp. Fluke timing I guess.
EHX is (AFAIK) the only modern easily attainable EF86 manufacturer of this microphonic fella from local suppliers here.
And Class A is not the kindest on EL84 output tubes.
I should have enough though for the next decade or so based on my usage of the amp. I'm more likely to loose the spares than need them!
By then though I will be surprised if Vacuum tubes are still being manufactured.
I don't think the Music Industry is ready to dump the Millions of dollars worth of Valve amps invested in studios and bedrooms around the world.
I suspect someone will come out with something to keep them (prosthetically?) limping along. Anyone recall RetroValves?
Pedals and RetroValves - Jet City Custom
Maybe ripe for a makeover.
EMike
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According to Wikipedia... Originally Posted by Litterick
Slovakia is a developed country with an advanced high-income economy, ranking very high in the Human Development Index. It also performs favourably in measurements of civil liberties, press freedom, internet freedom, democratic governance, and peacefulness. The country maintains a combination of a market economy with a comprehensive social security system, providing citizens with a universal health care, free education, and one of the longest paid parental leaves in the OECD.[11] Slovakia is a member of the European Union, the Eurozone, the Schengen Area, the United Nations, NATO, CERN, the OECD, the WTO, the Council of Europe, the Visegrád Group, and the OSCE.
Garsh, I would pay a premium for a JJ tube over one made on the US!
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Hmm, I didn't think about this happening but it doesn't affect me, I've got enough NOS to last a couple lifetimes as I knew long ago they weren't gonna get cheaper over time
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I’m so glad I went with Quilter amps over 5 years ago. Better consistent tone, light weight, and No Tube maintenance!
As much as I can appreciate certain tube amps, there really is no reason to stay with 1940’s technology any longer.
I think it comes down to stubbornness on guitarists part and old wives tails about tubes being superior.
And I’ve owned just about every tube amp people chased after including 2 Dumble OD Specials.
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Wow I got in just under the wire. Originally Posted by Litterick
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I suppose they can get Russian tubes without issues? Originally Posted by Jabberwocky
The alternative: befriend a proper-minded Russian student in a local uni or school, and tell them exactly what kind of gift they could bring back with them after their next visit home?
EDIT: found a JJ 12AX7 on a'zon for less than what I paid for the TungSol equivalent a year or two ago. I guess now I'll have to test if it works when it arrives ^^
(is there any way to do that other than swapping out with a tube currently in use?)
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