Jump to content
Gibson Brands Forums

Life is not looking good for Tube Amps


John P

Recommended Posts

Due to Russian invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing embargos, the world is now in a vacuum tube shortage. If you remember, the factory in China that was making vacuum tubes was shut down due to a fire. With no viable sources, Fender is cutting tube amp production in half and anticipate having to go lower, so I'm assuming all the other manufactures will have to follow suit.  This also means sources for vacuum tubes to repair existing amps are drying up.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Signal tubes are no problem but there's not a whole lot of power tubes floating around these days.

JJ is reporting a year's backlog in filling orders, GE is flirting with really expensive audio tubes but the pollution involved with the manufacturing process means don't expect us to re-enter the field.

With any luck things will get back to normal soon.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guitar amps are where the majority of tubes go but there is an audiophile community.  To retube my stereo amps I would need 32 6550s and 4 EL34s.

I have 15 6550s, zero EL34s on hand at the moment.

The majority of the current production tubes (Gold Lion, Tung-Sol, Mullard, Sovtek, Electro-Harmonix) are made in Russia, the parent company being New Sensor here in the US.

I think Shuguang and Psvane in China are gone (but I could be mistaken), EI in Yugoslavia was bombed years ago so there's  Linlai in China which may or may not be doing power tubes,  JJ in the Slovak Republic , the New Sensor group in Russia and maybe Shuguang and Psvane.

 

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

There are a few russian tubes for sale but they're going fast.  Just checked with my normal supplier and they're out of stock on all russian brands of 12ax7's.  😦

There's always JJ.  They'll be busy.

https://www.gearnews.com/mike-matthews-owner-of-electro-harmonix-says-no-more-russian-vacuum-tubes-in-2022/

Edited by badbluesplayer
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's for this reason I started not bothering with tube amps years ago.  I think the only tube amp I own is a Peavey Classic with 2-6L6's. Most of the time I use a 1986 Bandit 65 or a 1973 Ampeg GT-10. 

Not denying that there is a difference in tone, but I don't want to get hung up on something I might not be able to use at some future date because I can't get replacement parts. 

And the Telecaster seriously does not care what it's plugged into.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

16 hours ago, rct said:

 

I taped one inside the M for that warm vintage tone.

rct

I'm gonna follow your lead when I get one. Which tube did you go with? I'm partial to a 12AX7. I've got my 00-28 and 00-18 for sale in hops of getting one. CME has one at a good price and I will buy it if either one sells. When I sold my HD-28V, I did not replace it with anything. 

I've got the 00-28 tuned DADGAD, capoed on the 2nd, and I'm making a mockery of John Martyn's Spencer The Rover

Edited by Sgt. Pepper
Link to comment
Share on other sites

31 minutes ago, Pinch said:

I realize I sounded judgmental... Didn't mean to. 

Plus I realize you're not the OP. Two for two. 

nah,, you're right Pinch, I'm not about to be calling any one out for reminding us all of what the situation really is.

While we're all over here *****in about the cost of Gas and Bologna,  people over there are being driven out of their homes and many being killed with every hour that passes.

I have a co-worker in Germany. Their community has been taking in Refugee's on a regular basis as a transition stop from leaving their homes, to transplanting to other places in Europe where they may have friends or family.   Just a few days, and they are on their way.

But just to get there, some are on trains for 10/12/15 or more hours and there is not even enough room for them to find a place to sit down.

 It's not about politics.  It's really where humanity is at it's absolute worse, is where you will also find the best of people.  

 

 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 minutes ago, kidblast said:

nah,, you're right Pinch, I'm not about to be calling any one out for reminding us all of what the situation really is.

While we're all over here *****in about the cost of Gas and Bologna,  people over there are being driven out of their homes and many being killed with every hour that passes.

I have a co-worker in Germany. Their community has been taking in Refugee's on a regular basis as a transition stop from leaving their homes, to transplanting to other places in Europe where they may have friends or family.   Just a few days, and they are on their way.

But just to get there, some are on trains for 10/12/15 or more hours and there is not even enough room for them to find a place to sit down.

 It's not about politics.  It's really where humanity is at it's absolute worse, is where you will also find the best of people.  

 

 

I think you're right. 

This one seems to be about politicians rather than politics. Hopefully that'll bring it to a speedier conclusion. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 minutes ago, Pinch said:

I think you're right. 

This one seems to be about politicians rather than politics. Hopefully that'll bring it to a speedier conclusion. 

These threads are usually slippery slopes that tend turn into "moderator's required" events  

It's way easier to talk "gear" and music than it is to discuss current events.

So how bout them long tenons huh???

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

26 minutes ago, kidblast said:

These threads are usually slippery slopes that tend turn into "moderator's required" events  

It's way easier to talk "gear" and music than it is to discuss current events.

So how bout them long tenons huh???

 

 

Long Tenons is my porn name.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...