As the old saying goes: "The best-laid plans..." In the case of Mullard, they had a GREAT plan that *almost* worked. Here's how we think it was *supposed* to happen: The Mullard Blackburn tube manufacturing facility was closing down due to insufficient demand for vacuum tubes. But demand for vacuum tubes was still strong in Japan! Mullard's solution? They sold tube manufacturing equipment to Matsushita, and sent Mullard technicians to Japan to set up the tube manufacturing operation there. Clearly, they saw it as a win-win situation. Matsushita could manufacture "Mullard-like" tubes for the Japanese market, AND supply Mullard with tubes when Mullard's back-stock of Blackburn-manufactured tubes ran out. Great plan! Unfortunately, Mullard ran out of Blackburn-manufactured stock BEFORE the Matsushita production line was able to crank out acceptable tubes. Since Mullard still had contract orders to fill, they did the only thing the could; they bought tubes from Siemens, and re-branded them with the "Mullard" logo!
So, what does this mean for you? It means you can buy a NOS matched quad of Siemens-manufactured, Mullard-branded EL34's for a REALLY low price. Are these tubes as good as Blackburn-manufactured REAL Mullards? Of course not! But, they ARE better than ANY of the current-production EL34's, and those dimples on top of the tubes sure are cute!
Cute, or not, here's the BEST part: You can buy a NOS matched quad of EL34's for only $100.00! That's over 80% off what a NOS matched quad of mint, Blackburn-manufactured Mullards would cost in today's market! It's also about 1/3 the cost that a matched quad of Siemens EL34's would cost from other tube sellers! You "Guitar Guys" already KNOW what Siemens EL34's can provide in the way of "Tone!" These tubes "crunch" better than most of the other EL34's available today. Marshall used the same Siemens tubes in the 1970's. Now you can get that "Marshall Sound" for only $100.00 for a matched quad! (That's just $25.00 per tube, folks!) Priority Mail Shipping via the USPS (within the United States) is also included at that price!
If you simply MUST have a NOS quad of Blackburn-manufactured Mullards, I have several available (just e-mail me if you can't wait), but these little "orphans" deserve to find a home too.
I accept either USPS Money Orders or checks, however; checks MUST clear before tubes will be sent. Thanks for taking the time to read this ad. I hope I can be of service to you.
Sincerely,
Bill Thomas
8/23/2008 - Addendum:
While checking these tubes in a typical amplifier to make certain they were matched and ready for shipment, it was discovered that one of them has developed some kind of problem and is drawing over 25 mA more than the other three. This problem did NOT show up on my tube testing equipment six years ago when I bought them, nor did it show up three weeks ago when I was getting them ready to list for sale. (I can't check them again because my tube testing equipment is being repaired and re-calibrated. At this point, my only recourse is to withdraw them from sale. I have e-mailed the gentleman who wished to purchase them to let him know of the problem and to offer him a total refund.
About the only GOOD thing about this is that it was discovered BEFORE they were shipped, rather than after they were received.
It would probably have been simpler to "keep quiet" about such a problem, however; that is not how I operate. I believe in "full disclosure" in all of my listings. As I have told EVERY purchaser, I stand behind my tubes 100%. That includes being completely truthful when a problem occurs, such as THIS one. The truth may not always be "comfortable", but at least it cannot be argued with.
I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused anyone.
Sincerely,
Bill Thomas
