Shuguang tube factory "supposedly temporary" closure.
- Thread starter ivan H
- Start date
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ivan H
Ambassador of Tubes & Grooves
Tubes ain't going away, there's a demand so money to be made. I think there's more factories producing them than many realise. As has been mentioned, PSVANE has its own production facility, same with Lania. There is more than 10 other valve production facilities in China that previously supported the Chinese military & are still producing, though quality of some may be a bit iffy. If demand from these producers increases though, quality would no doubt become better eventually, just as happened with Shuguang years back (remember some really crap tubes from them)
Then there's the old Tesla works in Poland who started producing a couple of types not too many years ago. Limited numbers of KT88's & 300B valves, but made to true Tesla NOS quality (& priced accordingly). Remember, Tesla previously made, among many other high quality types, an excellent (single halo getter) xf2 type EL34 on Philips Mullard tooling, so no doubt could produce these again if in great demand, same with other types.
Of course Shuguang will reopen.
Remember that years back Russia was going to close the what is now New Sensor/EHX plant down too, until they realised that there's money to be made in producing the "right type" valves. Money is a great motivator. Cheers
Then there's the old Tesla works in Poland who started producing a couple of types not too many years ago. Limited numbers of KT88's & 300B valves, but made to true Tesla NOS quality (& priced accordingly). Remember, Tesla previously made, among many other high quality types, an excellent (single halo getter) xf2 type EL34 on Philips Mullard tooling, so no doubt could produce these again if in great demand, same with other types.
Of course Shuguang will reopen.
Remember that years back Russia was going to close the what is now New Sensor/EHX plant down too, until they realised that there's money to be made in producing the "right type" valves. Money is a great motivator. Cheers
Cadorman
Ambassador of the Catocaster
Both my 90 and 91 JCM900 2100 and 2500 came with EL34 's.
Cadorman
Ambassador of the Catocaster
I believe EHX owns, or co-owns the factory in Russia. Therefore if you buy Electro-harmonix tubes they are the manufacturer. They also market Mullard, Tung-Sol and a few others. Possibly Genelex?
OP
ivan H
Ambassador of Tubes & Grooves
Yes, as do Svetlana & PSVANE. The others mentioned are all made by EHX/Sovtek who's owner simply bought the names of.
Fender owns Groove Tubes who source tubes from all manufacturers. Cheers
Cadorman
Ambassador of the Catocaster
Vacuum Tubes - Electro-Harmonix
Electro-Harmonix is the world's leading manufacturer of vacuum tubes, and our tubes are quite simply the absolute best.
www.ehx.com
Here you go.
Clockworkmike
Ambassador of STACKS in WV SHACKS
Ive always liked Svetlana tubes a lot myself. Pretty dependable, sounded great and if they are good enough for Marshall from the factory, theyre good enough for me. But ive used Sovtek, JJs, Shuguang and Genelex Gold Lions too and enjoyed them. Never tried Groove Tubes, Mullard or EHX however
Cadorman
Ambassador of the Catocaster
It really depends on the type of tube. For EL34 tubes I like Mallards. I also like the original Svetlana Winged C, but I need to try the new ones. I prefer the EHX 6CA7 in my DSL, but I do not like their EL34 in anything. I can't afford any NOS power tubes, so no idea there. As for preamp tubes I have tried Mullard, Tung-Sol, Gold Lion, Sovtek, JJ, Groove Tube and stock Marshall 12AX7. Of these I guess I preferred Mullard, Tung-Sol and Sovtek. None of them really spoke to me though. All of my preamp tubes in use are vintage. Some are NOS and some are used. I use a bunch of GE 12AX7 and 5751. I also have Raytheon, RCA, Sylvania and a couple others. I have a Sylvania 12AU7 in my DSL1HR for the power tube and it is sweet.
Jethro Rocker
Ambassador of Live & Loud Action
There is somethjng to be said for "third party" branded tubes, Groove Tubes and Mesa hand test tubes and sort them so you may get a better matched pair or extra quiet etc. Regardless of who made them, if you want JJs that have beenntested and sorted look into GT etc...
I use stock, whatever is around, amd NOS preamp tubes for most of my amps.
SG John
Ambassador of Cool Guitars and Amps.
To answer your query regarding NOS tubes, that's all I use now in my old amps. I don't play or gig as much as I used to, so I like the long term reliability of NOS tubes. Other electronics such as caps will go before the tubes. Unless there is a failure that pulls the tube with it.
My only amps not using NOS stuff are my DST and Hiwatt amps. I need to undo some butchering on my DR103 before I can put one of the matched quads of Blackburn Mullards that I have stashed for it. Then it will finally be right. I would also like to try some NOS EL84s in my DST U84TNT. The JJs that are in it are too noisy, and I need to swap them out. And then the two DST 50 watt heads need something fun, but they are designed to sound good with what's currently available. But, as my DST-30 proved, it sound even better with Telefunken power tubes. And NOS everything else, especially the Brimar EF86.
NOS tubes are definitely one of those things where if you know it's the last set of tubes you put in it in your life, they are worth it. Also, for many other options too, but that was my main criteria. And, as a bonus... they are robust, so they will take punishment when called upon. I do like to punish my amps, and they sound great.
Jethro Rocker
Ambassador of Live & Loud Action
Agreed! I do have some old long plates that are likely noisy in tye high gain Mesa so I use the SP tubes in those as at least th3y are tested for low noise.
I have an RCA long black plate from like 1957 and some from 61, 63 etc. They will outlast caps!!
Always tinkering with tubes. I have a Mullard (OS not current) and RFT in the first 2 spots of my 800 SC20. With the Lynch Mod. Nice!! Great combo. RFT tames a bit of the brightness of that series. Smooth sounding.
I like Raytheon BP for PI as well.
Cheers
67plexi
Ambassador of Amps
Good deal on the US made
6CA7 / EL34 U.S. Made
These are the so-called "Fat Boy" EL34. Their diameter is bigger than a European EL34. These sound great and are powerful tubes. If you want to stick with all U.S. Made tubes, then these are for you.
tubedepot.com
The last quad of NOS 6L6GC US made paid $1500.00 now can't find them at any price
OP
ivan H
Ambassador of Tubes & Grooves
Sending PM. Cheers