Mullard Tube Blackburn UK Bankrupt

[really long nick name]

Tubes/Valves
For most purposes, the vacuum tube has been replaced by solid-state devices such as transistors and solid-state diodes. Solid-state devices last much longer, are smaller, more efficient, more reliable, and cheaper than equivalent vacuum tube devices. However, tubes are still used in specialized applications: for engineering reasons, as in high-power radio frequency transmitters; or for their aesthetic appeal in audio amplification.

Best Quality Sound
Technology cannot replace the quality of what tubes bring. The KEY to great sound is the tubes. Specifically a company called Mullard (Philips-Mullard). Even more particular is tubes made from a former Mullard plant in BlackBurn, England. These tubes are the most sought after and becoming difficult to find. Look at the price for one tube made in the UK http://store.tubedepot.com/bsct-12ax7-mullard.html

Mullard today
Resently the Mullard name has been sold to a Russian company, but musicians complain that these tubes don't sound anything like the original Mullards. Something is amiss with these tubes and any and all modern tubes.

Good News
The Mullard plant is reopened in Blackburn, England by a company called Techtubes. They have designed a new tube that should be available this month. I will have to wait for the reviews on the tube before I buy though. If these tubes are comparable with the original Mullard ones, then this post is greatly understated and these new tubes are the best thing to happen to music since... well the invention of the Marshall amp that is another fine British engineering.
http://www.techtubevalves.com/valves/e813cc_data_sheet.pdf

[really long nick name]

NEWS: Valve availability update from TechTubes

Following a very successful launch show in London we have taken on board the visitor feedback. Two main "must haves" were raised; microphony must be non-existent and triode to triode variability should be as low as possible, both characteristics should certainly be lower than the current production output from China, Russia, Eastern Europe.

Our Engineers are working hard on these aspects to ensure TechTube™ delivers the quality and consistency the market is asking for. A consequence is that the delivery of samples has been delayed as has the launch of the online shop. Our current view is that both should be resolved in December.

Thanks for your anticipated patience and understanding that the small delay is acceptable to ensure we delivery a better product.

[really long nick name]

May I take this opportunity to wish you a Happy New Year and thank you for your interest in our new TechTubeTM valve technology.

As you may have read on the web site we launched the TechTubeTM brand back in September 2008 with a view to launching web sales of the product in October. Following very detailed, open and honest feedback from discerning end users at the launch the start of sales was postponed to allow our engineers time to rectify the few technical issues raised, namely valve to valve and within valve consistency, and microphony.

This rectification is taking longer than anticipated. As a consequence it is with regret that I have to inform you of the delay to the launch of the sales web site. The difficult decision has been taken to delay the opening of sales until the beginning of April 2009.

It should be remembered that our goal is to be selling a product that is better than the current manufactured product. Blackburn MicroTech Solutions, the Company behind the TechTubeTM brand, is what remains of the former Mullard Radio Valve works based in Blackburn so we have a strong heritage to uphold, so strong we named our first series after it!

We hope you understand our situation and ask for your patience.

With kind regards,

The TechTubeTM team.

[GUITARGOD]

When i was younger i thought the tube hype was all Hog wash..that is until I bought a tube preamp, much more snap and sqeal and squeltch and so i bought a tube power amp and WOW! BIG difference from my solid state stuff, solid state is great for low volume work but turn up too loud and it has no balls.. tube though you turn it up LOUD and it gets fat and nasty and has wayyyyy more PUNCH!
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GUITARGOD

[really long nick name]

Ya, those British Mullard tubes are becoming difficult to find. I'm anxious to see what happens with the new Techtubes when they come out.

If anyone is looking for a nice warm sounding amp, look into what tubes you have in them and what are the reviews about your tubes.
I know people are unhappy with modern tubes like Grove Tubes, and tubes made in China and Russia.

There is a whole break down of manufacture dates and location for Mullard tubes.

[GUITARGOD]

I have a conection or MAY HAVE a conection for a small stock pile of old RCA, Sylvania and GE tubes from way back that have never been used. There once was this electronics store here in the little town that had an inventory of these tubes and when the guy sold the store he kept the tubes and agreed to sell me some as needed but i have to find his number, he does want full price for them but hey.... worth it when they're the old dogs that you can't get any longer. I gotta find that number!
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GUITARGOD

[really long nick name]

Ya but what does full price mean to that guy? He may be unaware of vintage tube value. Here is a site that has the information for codes of all the vintage tubes. The point of this coding, is you want to find out which tubes by RCA, Sylvania and GE are the most sot after.
Example: For a period of a few years, Mullard had a contract to build tubes for Sylvania and GE and others at the Blackburn plant. So what your really getting is the Mullard Tube which are the most sot after. http://www.audiotubes.com/

This is the new tube that is in production at the respected old plant in Blackburn England. This plant has just been reopened. This is what the new tube looks like. There is a lot of expectation on this new tube that should be out in spring. Strange looking tube eh!

[GUITARGOD]

I was not aware of the Mullard deal!? That would effect me because from what i've read Sylvania are the ones i should get because they tend to sound best in Mesa Boogie amps which is what i use. I'll look into this, the last time i talked to the guy he wanted $25.00 to $28.00 a piece for 6L6's so i'd be looking at $100.00 or more for a set of power tubes, i can't remember what i payed for the little PREamp tubes, i have GE's in my Valve FX i use in the house and in the Boogie in the stuDIO right now and they sound great, i think they're 12AX7's if I remember correctly!? It's been a while sense i messed with them.

The Mullards are odd with the little nipple on top!
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GUITARGOD

[Bobby66]

...Hey G-God, Hows it goin?...listen, I'm getting ready to sink some cash into a new rig...can you tell me what you know about ESP's "LTD" line of guitars?...they appear to be made of the same stuff as the ESP's...so I'm wondering if their is any major differences in craftsmanship?...you know, kind of like the same deal as Gibson & Epiphone rite?...I'm considering purchasing an LTD Les Paul type deluxe model which goes for abour 900$...also, have you tryed out the Line 6/Bogner alltube w/celestion amps loaded with all the effects/presets?...sounds like alot of bang for the buck at about 1500$ to order their half stack...my question being, do you think I should go for it, or invest in a more basic amp & purchase effects pedals etc. seperately?
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...As long as it's NOT about love...

[Rockerbob]

Hey Bobby, my guitar player Kenny has switched to line 6 stuff, sounds pretty killer to me!
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The world is full of kings and queens,
Who blind your eyes and steal your dreams
Its heaven and hell!

[GUITARGOD]

Yes the line 6 amp i tried was killer. They are really what i would call the next wave in gear MIO. As for the LTD's they seem to be good axes although i have one that i have to replace or fix the neck on, it twisted on me, (which is rare) but before that happend it played great and i'll fix it soon and it should play great again. Any Knock off brand if it feels good and sounds good..buy it!
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GUITARGOD

[Bobby66]

...Thanx for the advice guys, I really appreciate it...I was really considering purchasing a re-conditioned Marshall amp head that I was test driving & choosing my own effects pedals one by one...that's always half the fun rite?...But when I tried the Line 6/Bogner it seemed that most of the tone I'm looking for is all there nice & tidy in one box!

...I dont know...if my wife would let me I'd sink a damn fortune on gear... ...also, I'm dying to try Tony's Laney amp...
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...As long as it's NOT about love...

[GUITARGOD]

I tried a Lany full stack a long time ago and didn't like it but at that time i didn't know what i was doing as well as now so i'd like to try one now with some time to work out the EQ settings which will make or break an amp for a guy.
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GUITARGOD

[Bobby66]

[GUITARGOD]

Good point! I highly dout at that time he had one with them so i would have to say no i don't think i have. I'm very happy with my sound now though but would always be willing to expand even more if the cash was there for it
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GUITARGOD