Shuguang to stop 845 and 211

[Cauhtemoc]

So the rumour that Shuguang would stop production of the 845 tube seems so far to be true. Sino, Valve Art and Golden Dragon 845 tubes are all manufactured by Shuguang so they will no doubt disappear as well.

Richardson Electronics owns the Cetron brand and according to their website the 845 is still available and manufactured, but they are expensive and very hard to get. There are two boutique brands of 845 tubes, namely KR Audio and Fullmusic. Both of these are quite expensive, and KR audio recently said that they will stop selling tubes to anyone but owners of their amps.

So that leaves an interesting question, will any other manufacturer try to fill the gap left by Shuguang? If there indeed is a marked demand for 10,000 tubes, then about the only manufacturer who could meet this would be New Sensor.

Comments?

[coolhandluc]

In fact KR is no longer making 845's at all......

[Rob11966]

I am led to believe from Sophia Electrics that Shunguang is going to resume production in November of this year.

I hope this is true.

Rob

[Rob11966]

Tubeamp doctor website says that the 845c (metal plate) production has been delayed to mid-December 2008 and the 845b delayed until end January 2009.

It looks like production of these tubes will continue, albeit depayed.

Cheers,

Rob

[Cauhtemoc]

Originally posted by Rob11966
Tubeamp doctor website says that the 845c (metal plate) production has been delayed to mid-December 2008 and the 845b delayed until end January 2009.

It looks like production of these tubes will continue, albeit depayed.

Cheers,

Rob

It's also interesting to note that they also say that the Shuguang 211 is out of production.

[Rob11966]

Well it looks like Shuguang is still producing both the 845 and 211 tubes.

Most of the tube stores seem to have the copper base 845b in stock and there are certainly plenty on eBay.

Also, I have noticed some 845 c (metal plate) tubes around. I am not sure whether they are old stock or of recent production but there has been a few of them on eBay lately. The Sophia Electric website claims to have some of 'Summer 2009' production - so it is possible that Shuguang has produced a limited run of these tubes?

Anyhow good news - the 845 is a wonderful tube.

Rob

[casouza]

Originally Posted by Rob11966

Well it looks like Shuguang is still producing both the 845 and 211 tubes.

Most of the tube stores seem to have the copper base 845b in stock and there are certainly plenty on eBay.

Also, I have noticed some 845 c (metal plate) tubes around. I am not sure whether they are old stock or of recent production but there has been a few of them on eBay lately. The Sophia Electric website claims to have some of 'Summer 2009' production - so it is possible that Shuguang has produced a limited run of these tubes?

Anyhow good news - the 845 is a wonderful tube.

Rob

An update: the graphite plate Shuguang 845 B are available again, new 2009 production, I purchased a a pair and they are excellent.
I have also purchased a pair of metal plate Shuguang 845, excellent tubes too, slightly smoother sound. Production was re-started in January 2009.
I believe Shuguang makes these tubes in once-a-year batches, so it is quite normal to have periodical shortages, then a large quantity of tubes show up on eBay and from online vendors. Stock up!