Western Electric considering guitar amp tube production
- Thread starter Wattage
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Ashurbanipal
Well-known member
Interesting. I wonder how they'll go about it, as one reason large-scale tube manufacture is an issue these days is because of environmental considerations and it's difficult to automate fully. But, there's also a question of incentives and likelihood of profitability at play.
NegativeEase
New member
It not the same company, its a tiny audio company near me who bought the trademark.
Hopefully they do it.
I keep hearing about the environmental impact of vacuum tube manufacture..what's the issue there? everything we make has some 'impact'..our own personal existence has an impact...
they wont be the cheapest then? unless they make them in large amounts....Tubed audio amps tend to be made in limited quantities and the price reflects this...
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
Yep! I signed up for their emails. I do not mind being marketed to when it is relevant information. If the emails get obnoxious I can always unsubscribe.
FuseG4
Our Neighbor Totoro
I had heard it in the old days it was like the plate coatings were different materials that are now banned. Heavy metals that tend to accumulate in the environment.
Gtrjunior
New member
I literal have to unsubscribe 10 times before they stop…
Ashurbanipal
Well-known member
To expand a bit more, having done some more reading/thinking :22:.
Regarding environmental stuff, it's some chemicals and compounds involved in the making, and I think also solvents used to clean parts before final assembly. To expand on this, existing tube manufacturers have made changes to their products in response to the wide-ranging RoHS directives first implemented in 2006, as one typical component of tube manufacture is lead oxide (PbO, which, when added to glass, increases its electrical resistivity, hence its use in tubes). As applied to tubes, the RoHS ruling was about restricting the threshold of how much of the stuff could be in the glass by weight. As with most types of regulations, they are constantly reviewed and amended, so it could be different today compared to 15 years ago.
Of course, back in the day, environmental issues weren't so much a consideration for the reason tube manufacture dwindled to begin with - the world of electronics simply moved on. Transistors with semi-conductors are much easier to manufacture en masse and through automation.
Another factor is the special machines (e.g. for creating the vacuum) and tooling (for grids) required to make tubes. When everyone was moving to transistors, they were scrapping this stuff, so unless you can find an original and refurbish it, making new machines and tooling is mega bucks, even before you make the first bottle.
Old tubes are good because they were made to exacting tolerances and they have considerable longevity and an ability to take a beating. How much they sound better than new ones is more subjective. Different, surely, as, like with guitar pickups, the alloys used in the metal parts were different then and today.
Regarding environmental stuff, it's some chemicals and compounds involved in the making, and I think also solvents used to clean parts before final assembly. To expand on this, existing tube manufacturers have made changes to their products in response to the wide-ranging RoHS directives first implemented in 2006, as one typical component of tube manufacture is lead oxide (PbO, which, when added to glass, increases its electrical resistivity, hence its use in tubes). As applied to tubes, the RoHS ruling was about restricting the threshold of how much of the stuff could be in the glass by weight. As with most types of regulations, they are constantly reviewed and amended, so it could be different today compared to 15 years ago.
Of course, back in the day, environmental issues weren't so much a consideration for the reason tube manufacture dwindled to begin with - the world of electronics simply moved on. Transistors with semi-conductors are much easier to manufacture en masse and through automation.
Another factor is the special machines (e.g. for creating the vacuum) and tooling (for grids) required to make tubes. When everyone was moving to transistors, they were scrapping this stuff, so unless you can find an original and refurbish it, making new machines and tooling is mega bucks, even before you make the first bottle.
Old tubes are good because they were made to exacting tolerances and they have considerable longevity and an ability to take a beating. How much they sound better than new ones is more subjective. Different, surely, as, like with guitar pickups, the alloys used in the metal parts were different then and today.
What is more disturbing to me is the amount the cheeks will turn dependent upon the $$$ involved in the end product. There has been for several years now recalls and warnings about Benzene being in everyday products that are made by corporations that make LOTS of $$$$. But a smaller niche market company can't make certain things because of " environmental impact " ...
I knew a company would come along and take advantage of the situation, and while I am glad it is a USA brand, I somehow see it derailing. There is bound to be some legal or environmental holdup. If not, it won't be affordable and the only thing that will add value to it is " Made in USA ".
I knew a company would come along and take advantage of the situation, and while I am glad it is a USA brand, I somehow see it derailing. There is bound to be some legal or environmental holdup. If not, it won't be affordable and the only thing that will add value to it is " Made in USA ".
Ashurbanipal
Well-known member
Mm, bigger companies also have more money to spend on lawyers and red tape, which smaller operations don't.
Of course, there's many other things which have huge environmental impact, like making lithium batteries (and that's just mining the lithium), and business goes on.
With WE, seeing that it's a running operation and they already have machines and tooling, the cost of expanding would be smaller (question is also how much they plan on doing so). They'll still be expensive tubes.
Of course, there's many other things which have huge environmental impact, like making lithium batteries (and that's just mining the lithium), and business goes on.
With WE, seeing that it's a running operation and they already have machines and tooling, the cost of expanding would be smaller (question is also how much they plan on doing so). They'll still be expensive tubes.
if , in a year's time the industry decides tubes have no future, then some great sounding amps from the smaller builders will go to the wall. I'm thinking Supro, Matchless, Bartel, Carr, Toneking. Supro have been making tube amps since 1935. It's not straightforward to just switch to SS if you have not done it. Different technology . I think if the brands I mentioned are to make the change to digital they will probably go the Fender route..as with the Tonemaster. Chinese made electronics and the rest US made. Vox & Marshall could also adapt. If not then they will need the remaining tube makers outside Russia to scale up...
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