RCA tubes back in USA production?

[Ascension]

I will believe it when I see it but seems someone is trying to make it happen!
http://www.rchlabs.com/
BIG NEWS FOR TUBE LOVERS
Liz Hare and her son have formed RCH labs with the purchase of the old RCA tube factory in Mound House Nevada

(along with the original designs) and is now making new tubes from the old designs but with modern improvements

like laser cutters to make them even better and more reliable.

New Blackplates!
Looks interesting but will they be outlandishly expensive is the question?
Right now looks like they are going after the high end audiophile market so--.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: RCA tubes back in USA production?

I will believe it when I see it but seems someone is trying to make it happen!
http://www.rchlabs.com/
BIG NEWS FOR TUBE LOVERS
Liz Hare and her son have formed RCH labs with the purchase of the old RCA tube factory in Mound House Nevada

(along with the original designs) and is now making new tubes from the old designs but with modern improvements

like laser cutters to make them even better and more reliable.

New Blackplates!
Looks interesting but will they be outlandishly expensive is the question?
Right now looks like they are going after the high end audiophile market so--.

That would be ultra awesome! They'd be pricey,but if they were anything like the original RCA Blackplates,or even the grey,that would be cool!

 

[zzmoore]

Re: RCA tubes back in USA production?

OH Boy...these stories really get old...but I will give them the benefit of the doubt.
But I have questions.
I do not ever remember RCA making tubes in Nevada...but I guess that is beside the point. Even if it is true...what good is that old equipment after 40 years of no use.?
I can guarantee this lady and her kid have no idea how to make tubes.
So who are their machinists...CHEMISTS...glass blowers...assemblers etc etc.
Maybe I missed it, but the website seems pretty short on details.

Most of these companies seem to be aimed at Hi-Fi customers. You know...the people that buy (5 foot) 200 dollar power cords, and spend 20 dollars a piece on little ceramic balls to hold their speaker wire up off of the carpet. Those tubes are usually very expensive...like buying an NOS tube from a dealer.

Read the posts we have now about guys wanting to know if they should buy a JJ or a Tung-Sol...because they do not want to spend 40 dollars for 2 tubes, and see what sounds best. Imagine those same guys faced with a 50 dollar AX7 or a dual of 6L6 for 200-300 dollars.

RCA did not have to deal with the EPA in 1950. LOTS of companies do it everyday, but at start-up, there will be some expensive regulations to deal with. Look at the disposal fee you pay when you get your oil changed, or buy a new set of tires. None of that is going to stop a business...but it does add a lot to the cost. But I am the wrong guy to pontificate about those types of issues.

I don't know. I wish them all the best, and I hope they prove me wrong...time will tell. Would be nice to have tubes that at least lasted for several years. Good Luck To Them
best

 

[VanR]

Re: RCA tubes back in USA production?

Cue the "I hope they fail because I hate America and what if they hurt a snail darter" crowd.

 

[CTN]

Re: RCA tubes back in USA production?

^ 'sok, verbotenco got banned, or took a hiatus or maybe even perished in an fortunate accident involving a snake, a bra and a watermelon.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: RCA tubes back in USA production?

They'll sell out to the Chinese.

And is Liz Hare a name I should be familiar with?

 

[Ascension]

Re: RCA tubes back in USA production?

They'll sell out to the Chinese.

And is Liz Hare a name I should be familiar with?

Never heard of her but that quote was part of an article from a hi-fi show where these were introduced. They showcased working equipment running new production USA built RCA Blackplate's at the show so something is seemingly behind this other than just talk.
I hope they do pull it off and at the least keep the prices in line with the lower side of NOS. The junk that you get today in new production tubes is dismal in comparison to the real NOS higher end if in nothing else life span and reliability. A good NOS preamp or Rectifier tube will last in a guitar amp virtually forever and power tubes last 3 to 4 times longer than current production. That alone if we could get back in current production would be HUGE! Question is can it be pulled off in today's environmental law environment without costing so much it would not be profitable to sell as any sane price?

 

[zzmoore]

Re: RCA tubes back in USA production?

Cue the "I hope they fail because I hate America and what if they hurt a snail darter" crowd.

I assume that shot was fired at me...:nono:
Look...I want "affordable"...usa made, quality tubes just as much as you do.
Read my previous post...I am on their side, I hope they make it all work.
But I am sure you have been around as long as I have...you have heard this all before.
Remember Blackburn..or TubeTech...or whatever the name of the company was that moved into one of the old Philips facility's. They spent a ton of money and time trying to produce a good quality AX7. They got real close...but they had lots of failures...too many...so they lost their funding.
So I am just skeptical when I hear about somebody that is going to produce tubes like was done in 1950.
It usually comes down to 2 things. Either the people involved do not know what they are doing (but they think they do) or the tubes they make are so expensive, they are outside the price point of all but a few Hi-Fi nuts.
I get where you are coming...I sympathize...I am not just blindly criticizing these people. But I will believe when I see it.
I wish them the best...I really do.

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: RCA tubes back in USA production?

I call BS.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: RCA tubes back in USA production?

Are the old RCA tubes supposed to be good? I found four or five 12ax7s at my dad's farm. Not NOS though, used to varying degrees.

 

[LReese]

Re: RCA tubes back in USA production?

^ 'sok, verbotenco got banned, or took a hiatus or maybe even perished in an fortunate accident involving a snake, a bra and a watermelon.

Sounds like a heck of a night...

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: RCA tubes back in USA production?

I sincerely hope they can make it happen. And I would gladly pay more for them, as long as I get what I pay for in terms of quality, reliability, and longevity.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: RCA tubes back in USA production?

So who are their machinists...CHEMISTS...glass blowers...assemblers etc etc.

Oh boy do you know it. A few years ago I exchanged emails with an older gentleman (whose name eludes me now but I was put into touch with by Myles Rose who used to be of groove tubes fame) who used to work for MO valve in the 60's During the course of our conversations he said that he didnt think they could ever produce tubes of the same quality again because the technology has been lost. According to him the metallurgy and the coatings. Much of the knowledge was proprietary so isnt in the text books would have to be learned again by trial and error as was done through the 30's 40's and 50's. I doubt anyone would be able to fund that research. Not for something that is such a small niche market now. Hell I'm certain many of the processes would never be allowed by the EPA now.

I too wish them the best I just dont see it happening.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: RCA tubes back in USA production?

Proprietary info is always written down, and someone has a copy of it. It's required for legal reasons for the inevitable claim/dispute.

As well, with the reverse-engineering tech available today, I don't see it being too difficult to deconstruct an old tube.

 

[El Supremo]

Re: RCA tubes back in USA production?

I sincerely hope they can make it happen. And I would gladly pay more for them, as long as I get what I pay for in terms of quality, reliability, and longevity.

Yup, as long as they're as good as some of the NOS. I have a couple of Siemens EL34s that seem immortal. I use 'em strictly as reference points these days though.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: RCA tubes back in USA production?

Proprietary info is always written down, and someone has a copy of it. It's required for legal reasons for the inevitable claim/dispute.

As well, with the reverse-engineering tech available today, I don't see it being too difficult to deconstruct an old tube.

Its written down but its not in text books and who keeps it 40 years after a company has gone defunct?

If it isnt difficult to deconstruct an old tube why havent they done it? Hell the chinese the be all masters at copying have only in the last 10 years or so started to make decent tubes. As much work as they put into make fake look alike telefunkens if they could reverse engineer one to get the performance too i'm sure they would. But they dont...

 

[zzmoore]

Re: RCA tubes back in USA production?

Proprietary info is always written down, and someone has a copy of it. It's required for legal reasons for the inevitable claim/dispute.

As well, with the reverse-engineering tech available today, I don't see it being too difficult to deconstruct an old tube.

There is no need to reverse engineer anything.
Here is all you need to do.
Let us know when you want to start.

http://vintagetubeservices.com/page14.html

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd78/lampworker/RCAtube.jpg

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: RCA tubes back in USA production?

I doubt anyone would be able to fund that research. Not for something that is such a small niche market now. Hell I'm certain many of the processes would never be allowed by the EPA now.

I too wish them the best I just dont see it happening.

Your right and the market is getting smaller. Tubes are a old fashioned tech and tech has moved on and advanced since the 50's. Is their really a NEED for tubes in this day and age besides the audio market?

 

[LReese]

Re: RCA tubes back in USA production?

I've done the modeler thing - an Axe-FX. Its certainly OK, but left me feeling missing something.

A tube amp and some pedals is far more satisfying to me.

Maybe this time is the charm for the dream domestic tubes, but I won't hold my breath.

 

[Zombiwoof]

Re: RCA tubes back in USA production?

GT tried this years ago, when they brought back the GE 6L6GC's and 6CA7's, they at first were making them in their factory here in the San Fernando Valley, but soon moved production to China (Shuguang as I recall), because of all the modern regulations they were hit with making them here in the US. If the RCA story is true, I bet the same thing will happen with them.

Al