SHUGUANG Tubes?

[Mattr4president]

So my amp is long overdue to get re-tubed and it really hasn't been a issue since I don't play as much as I use to. I'm doing some shopping online and this SHUGUANG company is selling 6l6gc matched quads on ebay for $60 shipped..... How good can these really be? I'm a really big believer in getting what you pay for, and only $20 more for a matched quad of EH, should I be tempted to give them a whirl? I know there's only a few actual tube manufacturers in the world and a lot get re-branded for different companies. Any information you guys can provide would be appreciated.

 

[trevorus]

Re: SHUGUANG Tubes?

China or Russia is about the only 2 places really making tubes. Honestly, I'd buy from a retailer like tubedepot.com or thetubestore.com. I've ordered from both and had great service.

 

[Mattr4president]

Re: SHUGUANG Tubes?

Yeah I've bought from them before too and they've been great. Just trying to rock on a budget since I'm not playing like I use to. The EH's and Sovteks aren't that much more so that's the way I'll probably go.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: SHUGUANG Tubes?

I have only used their el34, el84, and 12ax7. But shuguang tubes are fine and come stock many tube amps (or used to, I see lots of EH and JJ too) , and plenty of people like em.
The EL34 I thought was the bomb for the price. I wouldn't hesitate to give them a try, especially if price is a factor.

 

[JeffB]

Re: SHUGUANG Tubes?

Their El34Bs get good reviews. That is what is in my DSL (marshall re-branded), but I just don't have enough experience with EL34s in recent years to say one way or the other how good they sound compared to others.

Their 12Ax7s however I have messed with plenty, and IMO leave alot to be desired.

 

[Demanic]

Re: SHUGUANG Tubes?

China or Russia is about the only 2 places really making tubes. Honestly, I'd buy from a retailer like tubedepot.com or thetubestore.com. I've ordered from both and had great service.

Isn't there still stuff coming out of Slovakia?

 

[trevorus]

Re: SHUGUANG Tubes?

Isn't there still stuff coming out of Slovakia?

JJ I think is made there.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: SHUGUANG Tubes?

With Shuguang, you need to buy 3-4 batches and test them to find the good sounding ones. If you buy from places like TAD (Tube Amp Doctor) usually they've already done that for you.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: SHUGUANG Tubes?

Shuguang tubes usually sound great. Many Ruby tubes are tested and re-branded Shuguang/Sino/Chinese.

That being said, though, I wouldn't buy Shuguang tubes if they aren't from someone who's thoroughly tested them like Doug or The Valve Queen. I'd rather buy tested and matched power tubes from a reputable seller, not just Shuguangs, TBH. I'd rather spend the extra bucks to be safe.

Shuguang 12AX7's, for example, are by far my favorite-sounding preamp tubes, but they've also been the least reliable for me. Then again, if a preamp tube blows, just replace it, and that's it. If a power tube blows, far worse things might happen. That... and if they're really well-matched, they usually sound better, IME.

JMO.

 

[dystrust]

Re: SHUGUANG Tubes?

With Shuguang, you need to buy 3-4 batches and test them to find the good sounding ones. If you buy from places like TAD (Tube Amp Doctor) usually they've already done that for you.

I wouldn't buy from Shuguang direct. After all they need to sell all the rejected, but not necessarily defective tubes somewhere.

 

[Nostalgic Distortion]

Re: SHUGUANG Tubes?

Yeah, if you're going to buy them buy some re-brands. TAD, or another company will do all the work for you and it will only run you an extra $20-$30...

 

[tman]

Re: SHUGUANG Tubes?

Thats what my Marshall has in it right now re-branded (TAD) Shuguang EL34B's.I think they sound great!! I have Mullard EL34'S but are saving them until these are done.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: SHUGUANG Tubes?

I love the testing and selection that the Tube Amo Doctor does. (TAD). I recently switched from EH 12AY7 to the TAD version (same tune I think) but on the EH, I normally rejected half for noise. All the TAD ones were mouse fart quiet.


Not sure which Amo you have but I like the TAD 6L6 small bottle ones.

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: SHUGUANG Tubes?

There are only three manufacturers of vacuum tubes, Shuguang in China, JJ (formerly Tesla) in the Slovak Republic, and New Sensor (owned by the same guy that owns Electro Harmonix) in Russia.

Shugs can be found with various labels. They make the Mesa 6L6 STR-440, which is also sold as the Ruby 6L6GC-MSTR. I'm not sure what Shug's designation is for the tube, but I'm sure that they sell it under their own brand as well. The difference is that Ruby and Mesa both further test the tubes before they put them on the market, which I do believe that Mesa is a little more thorough with their testing.

JJs are pretty much just sold under their own name. Their 6L6GC is a damn good tube. Built sturdy and they sound good. I had a set in the Mesa Triple Rec when I first got it (I switched to EL-34s for awhile), and I had no issues with them. And I still have a pair of them, that now reside in my Fender Supersonic 60 head.

As far as the New Sensor offerings go, they sell them under the Electro-Harmonix, Svetlana, Genalex Gold Lion, Mullard, Tung-sol, and Sovtek names. The common misconception is that they are all the same tubes, but they're not. They use different internal parts/designs for each brand. The EL-34S I had in my Recto were Svetlanas. They're good, well made tubes that sound just like the description that The Tube Store gives. I still have them and four of them will probably end up in my Marshall when the stock Winged Cs finally wear out.

And speaking of Winged Cs, they were made by SED (a fourth manufacturer that I didn't list), the original Svetlana (in short, they got screwed out of their name and had to change it). They were excellent tubes that sounded great, but they went out of business in the last couple years or so, and all that's left on the market are used ones and the B-stock stuff. The it's very unfortunate, because they were arguably the best new production tubes available at the time.

Oh, and TAD has tubes from all three current manufacturers, IIRC. TAD is a tester that sorts off the ones that don't meet their standards, and from what I've read, they are one of the more strict testing houses out there. So their tubes are worth their premium if you want the best of what's currently available.