Svetlanas not the same as the originals?

[greendy123]

Well I just talked to Doug at DougTubes today and he said that Svetlanas are not the same as the originals, they are a completely different new tube. He said the Sed winged =C='s are made like the original Svetlanas. I just thought it was weird cause I thought the winged =C='s were a different type of svetlanas.

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: Svetlanas not the same as the originals?

The original Svetlana company's EL34 was made in their St Petersburg factory. A few years back Sovtek got control of the Svetlana name, trademarks, and logos. Tubes carrring the Svetlana name and "s" logo since that time are actually Sovteks. The St Petersburg factor is not controled by Sovtek. They continued to make their EL34, but they must use a new Name, Logo, and Trade Mark. These are the winged C. The winged C is the real Svetlana EL34 now.

 

[greendy123]

Re: Svetlanas not the same as the originals?

Oh thanks alot that clears up that problem. Now I think I should stick with the real svetlanas instead of the fake sovtek ones.

 

[slightly_rude]

Re: Svetlanas not the same as the originals?

The original Svetlana company's EL34 was made in their St Petersburg factory. A few years back Sovtek got control of the Svetlana name, trademarks, and logos. Tubes carrring the Svetlana name and "s" logo since that time are actually Sovteks. The St Petersburg factor is not controled by Sovtek. They continued to make their EL34, but they must use a new Name, Logo, and Trade Mark. These are the winged C. The winged C is the real Svetlana EL34 now.

Actually, New Sensor Corp. has the naming rights to Svetlana and in North America only. New Sensor uses Sovtek as it's manufacturer of all their tube brands (Electro Harmonix, Tung-Sol, Svetlana and Mullard).

 

[ErikH]

Re: Svetlanas not the same as the originals?

There's really nothing wrong with the Sovtek made Svetlana's. That's what I have loaded in my Marshall and they've been holding up and sound really good actually. They were recommended to me by several techs.

 

[greendy123]

Re: Svetlanas not the same as the originals?

There's really nothing wrong with the Sovtek made Svetlana's. That's what I have loaded in my Marshall and they've been holding up and sound really good actually. They were recommended to me by several techs.

I know that do sound pretty good, I have some currently in my amp, but for that true svetlana tone the SEDs are probably a better choice. Tonewise I think both work perfectly fine.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Svetlanas not the same as the originals?

So did Sovtek steal the name? Or just grab it when Svetlana folded up? Or what?

 

[ErikH]

Re: Svetlanas not the same as the originals?

When Svetlana went under originally, New Sensor acquired the name but it's for U.S. use only. Only here are the Sovtek made Svetlana's known by that name. The "real" Svetlana's have to market them as Winged =C= in the U.S.. This is my understanding anyway and what I've read from a few sources.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Svetlanas not the same as the originals?

When Svetlana went under originally, New Sensor acquired the name but it's for U.S. use only. Only here are the Sovtek made Svetlana's known by that name. The "real" Svetlana's have to market them as Winged =C= in the U.S.. This is my understanding anyway and what I've read from a few sources.

So who's making the "real" ones? And where are they made? Lew

 

[ErikH]

Re: Svetlanas not the same as the originals?

So who's making the "real" ones? And where are they made? Lew

(from thetubestore.com)

SED Winged "C" tubes are made by SED SPb, a division of J.S.C. Svetlana in St. Petersburg, Russia. SED tubes are well known for their quality and superb tonal characteristics.

The new logo incorporates the Russian factory symbol that appears on all SED-made tubes; all current production SED tubes will have the "Winged C" logo.

Explained more here on the Winged C website.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Svetlanas not the same as the originals?

Wow...I didn't know that! Thanks Erik.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Svetlanas not the same as the originals?

Wow...I didn't know that! Thanks Erik.

No problem, Lew. I had read about that a few months ago. I think the next ones I'm going to get for my amp are the Winged =C= EL34's. Probably when we get closer to gigging.

 

[slightly_rude]

Re: Svetlanas not the same as the originals?

Svetlana never went out of business. They just lost the ability to use their own name on the tubes they make but are sold in the US and Canada. I love America and will defend it until my death but I have to wonder what judge or court ruling thought this naming restriction made any sense. All it's done is cause confusion for the buyer.