Go Go Good Old USA
As most of us have learned by now. There is a supply shortage caused in part by Russia's recent invasion of Ukraine, and the current hold on retail sourced individual vacuum tubes. This is due to them being held for manufactures of the companies who use them. Including our beloved tube amp builders. So not all bad. A main contributing factor in this scary future, is that Russia has been removed from global banking. So therefore cannot do any dealings with anyone, but themselves.
Good News Is...
So what is the good news. Well, the fact that Western Electric has announced that it's gearing up to expand into guitar amp tube manufacturing. Who are they? They're a Georgia based company that with the speciality of making top-of-the-line hi-fi equipment. So a company well capable of not only taking on said task, but doing a quality job. This is great given that EHX a supplier to many other companies of tubes, is said to be still offering tubes. But of course at a much increased price, and with the reminder. "There is currently a major tube shortage." EHX, being a once Soviet based company. And even bearing the name Sovtek during the time. Of course sources there tubes from Russia.
New possibilities...
So this may lead to not a disaster but a new wave. And a wave of what us guitar players love! American made quality gear! The company did a survey, and a spokesperson of Western Electric told Guitar.com that they got an overwhelming response from the guitar community. Prompting them to make the move to start this endeavor. They have the infrastructure, ability, and much fueled desire to take on the task. Hoping To help offset this shortage. And what better news than it being none other than an American company. Manufacturing in our own country?!! Now a model mentioned by them as one said to be one of the offerings. Is named the 300B, which sets one back $699, a set of 2 $1,499.
Image credit: Western Electric
New Beginnings?!!
Now given the great news prices will of course remain high. But understand that this is one of their highest quality tubes. "Need not worry though", the company says. A 12AX7 tube is much easier, and less labor intensive to manufacture. Though the price of the 300B was the only price stated by them. It will not be long before we learn of their offerings, and the associated prices. They are indeed gearing up to produce tubes with the most in demand, and needed tubes being priority.
So it's worth pondering if EHX, supplied most of the tubes for many companies as we know. Could a large American companies who has turned focus to guitar amp tubes supply the demand to the point of offsetting this shortage. Again, the answers are in the near future. As they are already being executed. So guitarists, tone purist, gear snobs. Your welcome, you can sleep just a little easier. And this is a proud moment for guitar, and American manufacturing involvement in this very particular crisis. I feel like this is a great step for Western Electric, and I believe naturally other companies will follow suit. Given the now wide open market, and the fact that there are indeed companies with the capabilities. They just might not end up being the ones we may have thought. But no matter a quality American made vacuum tube is I think the best news so far. And I think could lead to not a shortage but a surge in even higher quality tubes made on our own soil. Never to worry about his issue again! Of course until manufacturing gets fully ramped up the main concern is price. But the future certainly has gotten brighter. And that brightness is hot American vacuum tubes burning. Maybe a blessing in disguise? At the very least, something to look forward to and be hopeful about. Thank you Western Electric!!!
