SWOT: Tubes Outpricing Amplifiers?

[glpg80]

do you feel as though as tube production decreases, tube quality decreases and the potential demand for quality glass increases - that the cost of running those high dollar tubes that sound better or in retrospect to prevent catastrophic failures to OT's and screen grid resistors will outprice the amplifiers we will be running them in?

at that point i would see the want or need for a modeling unit for music

otherwise, why spend the big cash and then compromise on cheap tubes or tubes that do not sound great.

anyone ever thought this far ahead? it does not seem impossible, but would the demand for tubes decrease with the increase with modeling units, thus starting this process off?

 

[Shask]

I have said for years that I think when China gets environmentally friendly, tube prices will skyrocket, and tube amps will only be for the rich.

We will see modelers spike in popularity, and SS tube replacement products that will plug into tube slots as cheap replacements.

 

[Lord Toneking]

I guess us musicians need to start stockpiling tubes like a lot of the gun guys buying up all the ammo

 

[J.B.]

do you feel as though as tube production decreases, tube quality decreases and the potential demand for quality glass increases - that the cost of running those high dollar tubes that sound better or in retrospect to prevent catastrophic failures to OT's and screen grid resistors will outprice the amplifiers we will be running them in?

at that point i would see the want or need for a modeling unit for music

otherwise, why spend the big cash and then compromise on cheap tubes or tubes that do not sound great.

anyone ever thought this far ahead? it does not seem impossible, but would the demand for tubes decrease with the increase with modeling units, thus starting this process off?

I was just talking with a friend that builds/repairs amps not 1/2 hour ago about this (sort of). It seams like right now, you have 2 catigories of tubes. Good ones that are insanely priced. And good priced tubes that are completely junk. I think once Brad gets the Cameron thing rolling, he should invest in a tube factory next!!

 

[glip22]

Not in our lifetime.

 

[glpg80]

as i see it tubes are old technology. the imperfections they have are pleasing to the ear for music, but lets face it - they arent exactly good at anything else these days.

i keep seeing new companies with amplifiers as their product line being produced around tubes, but not many new tube companies founded on quality reproductions being made.

with China going green with environmental investments there is a chance they would bump this old technology/field out the window, and you would have an NOS RCA/GC equivalent pricing for chinese 9th gen's.

companies in russia are still building them.

groove tubes only ranks and resells tubes - nothing is being manufactured. the same with mesa - it is only dealer reselling.

to think we are depending on stocks of tubes from unknown corners of the world - what's to say the prices dont hike overnight to keep them afloat and/or the demand is so low they shut doors for good?

i was just thinking a few days ago at work theres a potential loop in the system of tubed amplifiers where there are tons of new products for amplifiers, and almost nothing on the tube production line or anything USA made.

 

[steve_k]

I agree. So much so that I have several hundred preamp tubes and 12 or so quads of power tubes. I still buy tubes to boot

I have a tube war chest too. Probably 200 or so preamp tubes and ten quads of 34's sitting in there now. When JJ's hit $200 a quad, I'll be there

 

[Digital Jams]

I have 8 quads matched and burned by people I trust and will continue to gather as long as loose money comes up.

About tubes outpricing amps, any boutique amp over $2800 better come with the good stuff or it's just another numbers game to that builder.

 

[skoora]

Just think about the number of tubes amps made and shipped by Just Marshall, Fender and Peavey alone. I don't believe tubes are going anywhere anytime soon or skyrocketing in price for that matter.

 

[steve_k]

I have 8 quads matched and burned by people I trust and will continue to gather as long as loose money comes up.

About tubes outpricing amps, any boutique amp over $2800 better come with the good stuff or it's just another numbers game to that builder.

Hell yes...........I agree with that. Ship me $3000 amp with $120 worth of shit tubes, and I immediately lose the silly grin.

Steve

 

[blackba]

Just think about the number of tubes amps made and shipped by Just Marshall, Fender and Peavey alone. I don't believe tubes are going anywhere anytime soon or skyrocketing in price for that matter.

+1 I was thinking the same thing. As long as the big 3 are still producing tube amps, I am not worried. Also, I think the risk of tube is greater with power amp tubes than preamp tubes. Alot of preamp tubes are used in hybrid amps or mic preamps for example, so I see them staying around longer.

I am kind of surprised no one has some in with a SS power amp tube plug in, much like they have for rectifier tubes. Sure a SS copy of a power tube would be a lot of development, that may be coming at some point.

I just hope that the same people that are banning light bulbs are not going to come after vacuum tubes...