Is This "Tube" REALLY the Future? - Korg's NuTube Vacuum Fluorescent Tube
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ก.ย. 2024
- Let's take a look at some of the available documentation on Korg's NuTube Vacuum Fluorescent tube technology and see what it's all about. Is this tech capable of killing off the old style vacuum tube that's been around since the 1920s?
Website: korgnutube.com/en/
Hey Brad, WOW that’s incredible, thanks for bringing this on your channel! I would definitely like to see a Guitologist video on this one. I had no idea these were around. As you now know from other posts, they retail for about $50. What’s really amazing is how quickly companies are embracing this technology. An Ibanez “nutube” screamer, Vox has it’s hat in the ring, Pete Millet has several circuit designs, Headphone amp, pre amps, etc. I think your right, we’re going to see a lot of these in the future. Thanks for the heads up !
HEY MAN, JOHN HERE. YOUR VIDEOS ARE VERY COOL AND INFORMATIVE. I JUST GOT THE VOX MV50 HEAD YESTERDAY AND IT HAS THE NUTUBE TECHNOLOGY YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. I WILL ADMIT I WAS VERY SKEPTICAL B/C I'M INTO TRADITIONAL TUBE AMPS AND JUST A JUNKIE FOR GOOD TUBES. I WAS BLOWN AWAY BY HOW WELL THIS LITTLE 540G/1.19 lb HEAD SOUNDS. THEY ARE AVAILABLE IN 3 DIFFERENT MODELS AC, CLEAN,& ROCK. I GOT THE CLEAN MODEL. I WAS TOLD IT IS BASED OFF A FENDER TWIN, (THE ROCK IS BASED OFF OF A MARSHAL PLEXI AND THE AC IS BASED OFF OF THE VOX AC-30) IT BREAKS UP NICELY LIKE A TUBE AMP WHEN THE VOLUME IS INCREASED AND IT IS TOUCH SENSITIVE LIKE A TRADITIONAL TUBE AMP. I HAVE MINE PAIRED UP WITH MY EHX SOUL FOOD PEDAL INTO A VINTAGE 15' SPEAKER CAB. I LIKE THE FACT THAT I CAN PUT IN ON MY PEDAL BOARD, PUT IN MY GUITAR CASE & IM OUT THE DOOR READY TO PLAY. I WON'T BE GETTING RID OF MY TADITIONAL TUBE AMPS BUT I CAN SAY I'M A FAN OF THE NUTUBE TECHNOLOGY.....CHECK THEM OUT.
Interesting... I suspect this is one of those items that could produce a new tone... If we try to recreate existing tube sounds, it might disappoint but if we try to create new tones it may offer something that doesn't yet exist... I could be wrong and maybe it will be an almost exact replacement for the tubes we know and love.
Looking back at history you are more than likely correct
If they change light intensity either directly or inversely with signal, could be a cool driver for optical compressors
SkyScraper Guitars
how about just creating some new music rather than regurgitating, Tones are already there.
What are you waiting for?
im not waiting fuckface im 12
PLEASE DO A VIDEO OF YOU BUILDING AN AMP WITH ONE. KEEP UP THE AWESOME WORK!!!!!!!!
If I remember correctly the reason tubes and other old electronics are being banned in some parts is because they're so inefficient, I'm glad there's some modern alternative we shouldn't take tubes for granted if they're banning hairdryers and vacuums items everyone uses what's stopping them from Banning tubes(sorry bad English)
Saintier set For use as GP transistors that’s certainly true, but for whatever reason tubes reportedly produce more audio output per watt than does pure solid state. (Assuming power for the two types are reported honestly and consistently; wouldn’t surprise me to learn that tube amp power is reported purely as the output rating of the output tubes, ignoring overdriving and/or pre-amp sections. Never having owned a tube amp I cannot measure input and I’ve never amped my Katana.)
An interesting explanation I've heard was that valve amps being more expensive, they're usually fitted with more sensitive speakers ;)
And the green pencil pushing [...strike that, trees are killed for pencils] assholes banning personal appliances and UNSURPASSED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT TECHNOLOGY, aka vacuum tubes, these guys use more fossil fuels than 95% of tube guitar amp players. Besides, we went from billions of 100 watt incandescent light bulbs to their 12 watt replacements in 15 years, so I think we can lay off killing the guitarists prized tube amp that is operated for 10 hours a month on average (across all players)!
Bottom line? Fukoff leftist morons.
What not buy one of the little Vox mv50 heads which ultilize this technology and do a teardown video. The Ibanez pedal while nice would be a bit overpriced and probably not out yet.
B Thomas Ibanez is re releasing a tubescreamer with this type of tube also.
Yes but the tubescreamer pedal is a lot more expensive then the Vox amp.. or well i bought my vox amp for 180 euro and the pedal is 270 euro at the moment..
This thing is so small you might as well do something crazy with it like put it in the path of the pickups and input jack of a guitar or something. Who knows how it’ll sound, but I’d pay to see you do that if you had a patreon page
Can you say killer low impedance pickup preamp?
Korg nutube pickups... COMING SOON On a real note, I could see Seymour Duncan, or some other company, pairing up with Korg as well to perhaps design a couple pickups.
Small? Its almost the size of a normal tube only flatter.
This was exactly my thought as well. I think this could revolutionize the guitar amp industry. Very exciting technology!
Apparently they are prone to microphonic behaviour. Mabey to much for an on-board pre amp.
Yes, try to get a hold of one. I'd like to see what can be done with one of these. Are they cleaner than a 12AX7? Would it make a better headphone amp than a 12AX7 based amp? Can it be used to build a preamp for a guitar amplifier? I'd really like to see what could be done with these.
The Andertons Music Co youtube channel has a video where a Vox guy talks about how they work and some other things, you may be interested in watching that
Korg been using this tech in the Vox mv50 amps. If you do get a NuTube sample,you might also get one of the Vox mv50 amps to do an A/B test to see how your home built NuTube amp sounds.
My Urban Exploration i had obe for a bit (mv50AC) loved the tone but it didnt like overdrive pedals, turned into a hissy mess
Oh okay. There are a few different versions that are voiced differently, I know my local guitar store have all of them set up for people to try. It could be because that modal that you use didn't like it. I don't know. It is still new tech, and have not been as explored as the conventional tube amps.
Cool beans! I look forward to hearing more about these. Thanks for the introduction!
I was doing a little bit of reading up on these and they basically have to have a buffer before and after (depending on the load characteristics of the intended application). However, there's nothing stopping you from using a d-class poweramp after it either for a high output amp. What I find interesting is that you could potentially use 1/2 the nutube and feed it back in to the second tube for distortion. Then run that output into a mosfet output stage. Ibanez also re-released the tube screamer circuit with one of these in there (probably replaced the op-amp/diode circuit with this). The micro-phonics might be hassle if you knock it.
Okay I might not be the brightest bulb in the box but... @ 12:36
you show a chart for resistors required vs filament VCC. If you exceed
the .07 volts to the filament, poof, game over. So instead of a "fixed"
voltage regulation why not use a self adjusting system? TI makes an Ic,
the TL783, that can run this filament with an input voltage between 6 to
104v.
As the Ic can only drop the voltage to around 2v, set up resistors after the Ic to set the final voltage.
After the output is set, the input can jump across the map and
it will not deviate. It will follow the output not the input. As for
current, 700ma should be enough to do the job.
Am I missing something? Wouldn't this be safer for the tube giving more
flexibility in VCC? It only requires the Ic, a voltage ref resistor and a
trim pot. If your worried about current, run two back to back. One to
set a max current and the other to set max volts.
Just watched a guy ramble on about the extreme details and specs of a chip, 90% of which i didn't understand. More like this please. :)
Before trying these, I think you should look into Subminiature tubes. Those are really fun to play with, and they're pretty affordable to buy in lots. If you want some recommendations for types to look for, let me know.
Another thing you could do is get a cheap VFD and wire it like a triode to see what happens. I got some from discarded electronics at work and I'll try it out myself!
Odd that they didn't show a splitter circuit using two of these, with one acting as a current source in place of the crappy long tail resistor. The circuit you showed had transistor emitter followers on the input and output (or whatever the FET variant is called) which speaks to the horrible impedance these things have. Tubes have horrible impedances too, but the volts are higher. So it's reason for existing in that circuit is for its distortion characteristics. So put it in the signal chain properly.
i used to work with Nortitake back in the late 80s early 90s. they are the best Vacuum Fluorescent display makers by far. it will be a quality part.
It is disappointing that it is a direct heated design though. that puts limitations on applications. I'll wait for the indirect heated version to come out before i design an amp based on it.
Filament voltage of 0.8V per section is nice. The thing is slightly less than 2" long by 3/4" side ( 20mmx45mm)
Agreed. Directed heated at that price... still a way to go before it's a really attractive alternative. I'm willing to reserve judgment.
the technology may not allow a different method...
any old VFD can be used as a similar triode. Thats simply how VFD is made.
You can start your experiments with that, if you wish.
Harvest a couple from old VCRs or car stereos and you have your test tubes.
That’s my reservation on these as well. Until they are indirectly heated, amp circuits are going to look more like transistor designs than the classic “big 3” tube amps. And with the noise/microphonics issues I don’t see them being used for much more than buffers/output recovery amplifiers (aka “placebo tubes”) and practically useless for gain stages (especially higher gain designs). But I’m taking this like I did “digital modeling” 20 years ago- I see potential, but there is a long way to go!
Barry's right. I did a video on my channel showing a VFD I used as a triode.
VFD are essentially directly heated triodes, with very low temperature filament/cathode - you can just see it glow red slightly in a dark room.
This is BTW what's shown on the pictures, on the left the horizontal filament line is barely visible at 17mA, and on the right you see the filament clearly glowing more at 25mA. The light emitting rectangle is actually the plate, so no, it's not a "burnt out filament" they are showing.
I sincerely doubt they'd modify the technology to provide indirectly heated cathode in a VFD - the whole point of it is that it's low-temperature, low mass and therefore low power cathode.
Someone beat me to it in the comments already, but I just got an email yesterday from Reverb that mentioned a new TubeScreamer pedal using a NuTube.
It's just too bad that they want 270 euro for it at the moment...
Yep. 250 dollars right now...that will buy you a multi effect of quite some quality...
Like others and yourself I find this device intriguing. Of course your obtaining one and putting it into a circuit will let us all know what can be achieved with this little beastie. I'd really love to hear tones generated like others here. I say get one if you can so we can all hate it all at the same time. LOL..
Wow, this guy knows a lot of stuff, like how tubes are constructed. Well, I guess if he fixes amps then he would know about tubes, but surprisingly, I have never really studied the in depths of tubes, as I never have had a need to know that information, other than just for basic learning. Actually, I think I am starting to remember some of those grids from learning videos from the past, but this video and this nutube inspires me to learn more. Thanks Guitarologist.
They work best together. The hall of the large vacuum tubes, and the clear punch of the Nutubes in tandem.
Thanks for the explanation, Dale! :)
This has been in the market for a bit now, but I would highly embrace these kind of solutions!
It's exactly what we need and I personally love the kind of innovation.
The only downside is that they are pretty pricey unfortunately.
I have always wondered why tubes couldn't be in a smaller and more efficient package.
Very interested on this.
Keep the good work.
Yes, love to see you build an amp, out of this, Brad
th-cam.com/video/Uwc6Y5Yn0Jk/w-d-xo.html
What kind of schooling would one look into to fully understand what is being talked about? I produce music on a dawless level and I'm looking to look even deeper to have a better understanding of how sound is made and how to control and effect it.
Thanks for the information! I'm interested to see more on these "tubes" for sure!
Be nice to see it implemented with a window on front panel so you could see the glow.
I have been very interested in this device since I heard about it a while back. Vox has already released a commercial product using it as a preamp section in a 50W hybrid guitar amplifier. I would love to see a video where you show the challenges involved in designing a guitar amplifier or pedal using it. Go get 'em Brad!
Can't wait for the next vid about this. Been following this little tube since it was announced and haven't seen much use of it besides a simple amp for headphones and such. I've been meaning to buy it but I don't have any experience with electronics. Hopefully this year will change. Bought a breadboard and some cables to learn and hoping to jump on creating something for this tube.
It's DHT triode, whereas the 12AX7 is indirectly heated triode - that's why the filaments are same element as the cathode for the nutube. In the example, it is using FIXED BIAS whereas 12AX7 circuits are usually self biased.
This guy has made a few circuits using these nutubes already: www.pmillett.com/index.html
Apparently the biggest problem with these is that they're extremely microphonic, so while making it work in a circuit is fairly trivial, they require some very significant mechanical considerations in order to make it useful. I suspect that a stompbox would be the worst possible place for using one of these things
You can buy them for $50 each, and breakout pcb's for $6 through their US distributor right now: www.nutube.us/
TY for posting this! :)
I guess if a stomp box is the worst place then Ibanez might have the issues ironed out since it will be in the new Tube Screamer. Only time will tell if these issues remain ironed out in the long run. But I couldn't see Ibanez pushing it out if it wasn't stable in their in-house QA since everyone knows pedals are made to be trampled.
Bacon Brad that's a good point. If it does end up being good for that, then that's awesome.
I just checked that pedal out and I'm slightly skeptical of the blend nob, but I really wanna try it. Looks pretty cool imo.
th-cam.com/video/vONJn0Zt9xY/w-d-xo.html
This blend knob can make this pedal fantastic for bass ofcourse if clean mean clean signal not signal after hipass filter.
I'd love to see you demonstrate the possibilities of this technology.
I have been hoping for to see some guitar related project with nutube. One vote from here!
We would all like to see you experiment with one of these. I'm highly skeptical, as it is hard, if not impossible, to beat the ancient vacuum tube! This almost feels like the late 70's early 80's, when a lot of big manufacturers were going solid state to save money and supposedly improve sound and efficiency. Time will tell... Thank you for posting these videos, very informative!
Just wanted to say I enjoy your vids here on YT though I don't comment much..I resonate with the country common sense you seem to bring in making these things. Have a great new year..blessings to you and yours
You definitely know your stuff when it comes to amplification Brad, and that's what originally drew me into subscribing years ago.
I know we've not exactly seen eye to eye politically, but I wanna give thanks for the technical knowledge and insight regardless.
Hope you are well, and happy belated New Year dude.
That’s kind. Thanks! You too!
Main issue with any tube is that they're a consumable. If you can't get replacement part easily, it'll render your nice synthesizer or effect unit into a shelf trinket...
I personally don't think this technology will be prevalent enough for replacement parts being easily available for to the long foreseeable future...
Brad this is the response I got from Korg tonight reguarding the email I sent. "Dear Mr.Scott,
Thank you very much for your great advice.
I will contact him.
Best regards,
Hiroyuki Hiruta
KORG INC./Japan"
Ibanez is putting one in the Nu Tube Screamer pedal. Its supposed to be released at NAMM, to repeat what's been stated here already. I heard the guys at Anderton's talking about the NuTube. They were saying that the EU has green energy standards that vacuum tubes can't reach. So eventually vacuum tubes will be outlawed in the EU.
EU is like having HOA on steroids. Bunch of busy bodies making all kinds of rules and regulations.
Imagine the home of gain Marshall itself having to cease operations until it uses only this tech? Perish the thought.
Well with the Paris Accords on Climate Change, that the UK signed, I don't think the vacuum tube will be around much longer.
I'm no climate change denier, it's real and we need to do something about it, but banning tubes from guitar amplifiers is just missing the point entirely and utterly ridiculous.
Guitar amps are designed to sound good , not be efficient, I mean if we are only going to allow "efficient" things shouldn't we ban all guitar playing completely as an inefficient use of time!
Nonsensical stuff like this really annoys me, conservation of the earth and it's resources is vital for the future of everyone, but dumb implementation of rules like this just puts people noses out of joint and creates bad feeling, and how could i not agree with someone who said this was daft!?
I feel politicians and lawmakers these days just aren't up to a decent standard of competence and ability.
Tesla solved any 'inefficiency' issues before our grandpas were born. International regulations mean 'international banking overlordship' and has nothing to do with reality. NOTHING.
I hope they send you one. I am in Japan right now so I will try to see what I can find and let you know.
Another great video Brad! Thanks.
Have you seen the new TS pedal with a nutube?
Nice video, Brad thanx:)
I´ve seen these at the musikmesse 2016 korg booth, and had the time and luck to talk to a tech about this thing, they wanted to do something small using available technology (VFD-displays in this case) without a need for a high voltage and alter it in a way that it can be used as an amplifier. For a big company like korg, it´s a complete other situation, you need RoHs, WEEE and the whole paperwork in order to come up with new products, today. So any thoughs of using old tubes or one still in production are completely out of range, as they never would meet these standarts. So they came up with the already existing VFD technology, with has and approval all these standarts, and that´s why they try to convert it into a working triode.
It´s a direct heated triode, so therefore it will be act different compared to the usual indirect heated tubes, we are familiar with.
First, you can´t easily hook up the usual cathode resistor in order to lift the potential of it. You would need a center tapped power supply to do this right, if you only add a resistor to the filament (which is the cathode) you lift *both* kathodes and also create a "long tailed pair" in where both cathodes share one cathode resistor and therefore the current as well.
The only practical solution would be to bias the grid with a separate voltage, exaclty like the old radios did around 1920th...
Second, the filament is the same for both tubes, you practically have only one tube (it looks a lot like the 6C33C russian power triode, only smaller), i don´t know why they done this, but it´s not of any use for stereo, nor two independent chanels. But it could be used as an diferential amplifier, if you add a current source for the cathode.
Hi Brad; my Vox MV50, in the box it came in, fell off of an outside lift at a club up in the mountains. It fell about 40 feet. No problems, no issues on microphonics.
Thought you'd like to know..
Regards; Don Butler: Toneman, Inc.
Thanks for sharing.
Pretty ingenious way to incorporate modern vacuum tube construction methods of VFDs into actual vacuum tubes. More difficult than making regular tubes in my opinion, but this is the automated fabrication process still in effect. Lower power for battery applications as VFDs were designed for battery powered applications such as calculators.
The Dollar Guy I'd buy it for a dollar
Man, I recently got into dabbling in pedal/amp electronics now I'm almost wishing I could get my hands on one of these to see what I could come up with. I like how they gave some good examples of application. Also would be cool to cook up some new sounds using this technology.
lets go korg...send brad what he needs...
Brad, you did it again. Bringing new ideas to light. Are these enclosed in glass? Are they shatter proof? Is there, or, will there be a power tube version? It seems a 6V6, 6L6, EL34 type would be needed to be a complete circuit. Maybe the powertube type would be designed to couple to the speaker without an output transformer! Like some SS do. I mean if these tubes sound as good as conventional vacuum tubes, this would become the new way to make amps. Small, low power requirements, less weight and heat, smaller transformer( only need a power trany) all that transistors aspire to,with vacuum tube tone, it's a win, win situation! We will see......Thankz
Very interesting . But in the example circuit Q1 and Q2 are FET's. So with 2 FET's how much gain is the Nu-Tube making ? In my single descrete JFET preamp I can get a clean tube like 10db of gain on a 12vdc power.
The schematic shows two Fets and the new tube for a combined gain of 12 DB gain so three devices for 12 DB poor one ne5534 can do that easy with a lower parts count so how is it my it’s self?
Go for it ! it would be very interesting to see what you could do.
I’ve just discovered your channel and I’m loving the videos. I was thinking about building a pedal this year, which will be a challenge for me for sure. It would be cool if you could do a video about it for beginners, I think a lot of people would appreciate that. Thanks for the awesome vids!
I would be interested to see what you could do in constructing essentially a valve amplifier from these NuTubes. I have seen a demo of these but only in terms of being used in a pedal going into valve amps which is never going to show whether it works or not in terms of a true valve sound.
Are they going to hold up to extreme conditions? Hot /cold...basically are they going to hold up on the road/touring /gigging?
I had this in a Vox AC50 amp. Worked fine.
I don't know if the Korg solution will be the one for the future, but it's about time for a company to come with something to be a little bit more modern and reliable; and of course by keeping the tube behaviour and character that we all love.
i wonder if a VFD display would amplify ? given that this looks like a VFD
Which tablet was used in the video?
I would love to see you build two identical circuits, one with one of these and one with old school tubes, then do a sound test.
great ideas, cant wait to see what you do! be great for the channel!
The tube biasing looks strange. Being directly heated, I think you have a effective cathode bias voltage of 0.35V. The grid bias is 0 to +3.3 with respect to ground (or -0.35 to +2.95V grid to cathode). I'm used to tubes always having negative grid-to-cathode bias. That makes me think this may not behave like a normal tube.
Never fix anything that's not broken... So what happens when a bad cap leaks DC voltage across the board to it? There goes the reason we love our tube amps! Although I own 5 Solid State Amps 2 Marshalls, 3 Crates... I always hated Crate Amps until I played this 220 watt amp and I purchased 2 so I could have Stereo using a A-B-Y Pedal. 440 Watts of AWESOME! Crate came a long way since they started. I used to host a Blues Jam and a guy asked me if I wanted to use one of his 2 Mesa Boogie amps and he wound up buying a couple.
I've seen some videos about Nutube. The guy who created it said that it cannot be used as a power tube. They barely made it as a normal tube, and theyre trying to make a power one, but that wont be around for a long long time
Hi Brad ,I'm sure you've seen the Vox MV50 ,maybe you could design a 150 or 200 watt amp that is tube powered by these little tweezer Nu - tubes, it might take 15 or so of them.But the look you'll get setting up when you whip out this tinyTerror size amp and plug into a full stack powered by this thing! And you could make effect pedals by using the nutubes . Great review ,can't wait to see what you build. Peace
Very interesting. Thanks for the information!
Do these burn out and can you buy replacements?
Exciting if it works out
I don't necessarily think they are trying to replace standard tubes at all. I watched your previous video regarding tubes, and am not convinced that one person's issues shipping tubes via eBay's proprietary delivery company equals the death of the tube amp.
That having been said, the Vox amps that use these Korg tubes sounded nice when I watched Anderton's demo them last year.
I've never used a vacuum tube amplifier (used solid state has always been cheaper around here), but I think getting rid of tubes is fucked up. Just like getting rid of FM radio in some countries is fucked up.. Thanks for another great/informative video!!!
build a overdrive pedal with one of these chips please.
IBANEZ NU TUBE SCREAMER NTS PEDAL
I have a small vox beatle amp that has these NU tubes and I was shocked how good it sounds very warn just like tubes. I hope you get these NU tubes and make more videos about building a circuit with NU tubes to prevent microphonics issues. The new ibanez tube screamer using NU tubes and that would be a good circuit to build around the NU tube.
I could definitely see applications in microphone preamps and effect pedals. Putting these in a cabinet with a speaker might be a problem. This is pretty cool, though. There is a guy who made a proof of concept amplifier using florescent displays on Instructables a couple of years ago. Check it out.
Most interesting Brad, let us know how you proceed with this . Keep up the good
Work.
it does "look" like it might be easier to manufacture but the real test is does it sounds as good as a standard tube. i seriously doubt its as good as traditional tubes. but you never know until you test the hell out of it. It sure looks fancy ! lol
Thanks for sharing this new tech!
break out the oscilloscopes ! lol i sent a request for the data sheet, we;ll see how that goes. seems to be very secretive online since most of their sites are only showing other VFD chips and the new things they've been doing with them. very interesting!
seems they've been working on this tech for a while. found this on YT from one of their websites.
VFD Module GU-D Series [Touch movie]
th-cam.com/video/flEDZVdIehA/w-d-xo.html
I would love to see you build an amp with these things.
There was talk in the 1980s about bringing valves back as integrated circuits. The theory goes is that if you could make a triode valve about the same size as what a transistor is on a silicon chip it would switch much, much faster. They thought it might be the next evolution in computers. Obviously things didn't pan out that way. But now with nano tech....well....
I hope they send you one. Would be very interesting to see what you can do with it. I wonder if they have one that could be used as an oscillator for a radio.
The VFD numeral tubes in my old Canon calculator are Noritake itrons!
I know a way of making cold cathode valves but I need to find someone who can do manufacturing. Maybe I should talk to Korg?!
Just looked at it's datasheet and found that the anode current is 10~34 uA. It's something really super-low, usual triodes have anode currents about 1000 times higher. So it's practically not a great amplifying element. Maybe it's just supposed to bring in some specific tube characteristics surrounded by FETs that will do the actual job.
This tube technology was used in Casio pocket calculators of many many years back. I remember they were sturdy way back then and they ran on AA batteries. Attesting to its low power consumption.
It's cool that it doesn't use huge Voltages like older tubes
You've got my interest! Go for it!
I think the heater voltage should be 3v no more no less, maybe a whole guitar amp could be built from these tubes and maybe use the tubes to drive ECC88's which would drive the output tubes.
I'd rather stick with Jfet transistors for "tube tone" pedals and mini amps personally. LOL!
You and me both!
Neat find - I noticed on the webpage is says you should install within 3 months of delivery. That is seriously short shelf life, does it require a power up every other month?
Really? Where on the page?
The Guitologist - it was on the spec sheet that you have to send your email to download- I’ll comment from work tomorrow on the page #.
I hope you can get one of these and test the sound for us - supposedly they are in tune screamers now...
The Guitologist - on the last page of the downloadable data sheet under “storage”
I'd really enjoy seeing what you can do with it.
Looks like what Ibanez has in their new Tube Screamer. It’s worth trying, could be really cool, who knows. Hope they send you one.
nutube.us/downloads/Nutube_Datasheet_32_&_Notes_E.pdf
New technology is cool and all, but as far as the guitar community that uses tube amps, we're stubborn and I doubt it will be embraced. But you mentioned pedals, so that could be a market for these. I'd be very interested seeing you wire up a dirt box or even adapt an existing preamp section (say, a JCM800). Hope Korg sends you some samples.
So, did you get it? That would be a hell of a video, I wanna hear what you have to say after you test this tech.
Please do look into nutubes. I'm interested to see someone actually work with them and see how they perform.
Everyone using this for preamp and overdrives, when it would be very interesting to create a poweramp in pedal size of a 100w or maybe more this technology like seymour duncan powerstage 170 or Magnum 44 (but, with nano tubes), then just get a tube preamp (there are a lot of small ones even with a transformer and valves like the actual real ones), connecting together with a poweramp currently " valve "would be really interesting.
This isn't the right technology for power amp I'm afraid, it's designed to replace a lower voltage tube like a 12ax7.
Might the Exhaust Seal Cap be the place where they exhausted all of the air and then sealed the "tube"?
Of course it is.
I say go for it, Id be interested in following along,, keep a parts list please!
I don't see valves/tubes going anywhere soon. Their price may skyrocket & availability may wane, but they'll only disappear when the market decides, & the market will only decide when there's a genuine and/or superior alternative.
Just remember we're still playing telecasters.
No government has banned them as yet, a private company simply has a policy of not shipping them.
Many shipping companies will not ship certain items, foodstuffs, solvents, certain batteries, medical equipment, drugs etc.
Doesn't mean they are prohibited, just that you need specialist courier.
would love to see this technology built into a vintage circuit. may be interesting
A three stage preamp/phase inverter with a 50 watt power section, all weighing in at 10 lbs. Amplifier bliss! Design the circuit to sound like any amp you want. Fender, Marshall, Vox, Supro, or any combination of all of them! The ultimate guitar player dream. I would suggest you might build such an amp. Show how such an amp could exist, and of course a demo with your virtuoso guitar playing! Just please, after you become a millionaire from creating such an amp, you continue to make videos, how will the world learn if you stop. Thankz
The form regarding how much they will cost that the FAQ part of the site offers doesn't show up when you click on it. I personally don't see the tube going away. I could be wrong, but I don't think I am.
Why not? It'd be the first new development in small signal audio tube technology since the 1950s. An A for effort. On the other hand the price point is going to have to be really really low to make them competitive.
Yeah, the price is something to balk at, but if they can sell enough to offset initial R&D, maybe price will come down.
I used to work for a guy who imported auto parts by the containerload. You want to land it in your warehouse for exactly half of what you sell it for. So if a Ruby 12AX7 can be bought for three or four dollars wholesale, Shuguang sells them to the importer for about a dollar and a half. Which means it costs them about a dollar to make. Everyone in the chain has to double their money to stay in profit. The economics are daunting and about the only way you can eke out more money is to buy up name brands like Tung Sol and Mullard and slap them on the same old Soviet or Chicom junk and inflate the price thereby like Mike Matthews does.
Long story short but you get my drift. Keep up the good work by the way.