Solus brand EL34?
 

Not seen one of these before? Made in GB by 'SOLUS'. It's out of a 1969 Marshall 'plexi' 50W Tremelo that I've been asked to restore. There's no etch numbers on the glass...

Any info guys

Re: Solus brand EL34?
 

I assume it's been made by somebody else and remarked. There was an entire demi-monde of overstocks, marginally substandard production and fly-by-night remarkers at that time. If Marshall were buying them, there is no etch code and they're British made then they're probably GEC/MOV or Brimar overstocks.

Re: Solus brand EL34?
 

I recall Solid valves being sold in pale blue boxes with white 'Solus' written on them. I very much associate them with the radio and TV trade as replacement valves. I doubt that Marshall fitted them to new amps.

Re: Solus brand EL34?
 

Thanks Paul, yes I suspected they were probably rebrands

Steve, that interesting, I suppose they may well have been replacements in a 50 year old amp. As you say, Marshall usually fitted 'name' brands, the four ECC83's fitted in it are all Brimar, which is a clue

Re: Solus brand EL34?
 

There were plenty of Solus valves in stock when I was in the R&TV servicing trade.

Lawrence.

Re: Solus brand EL34?
 

Re: Solus brand EL34?
 

Thanks Frank, so there we have it!

Who what where were they though?

Re: Solus brand EL34?
 

I remember them but not where I bought them from.:dunce:

Re: Solus brand EL34?
 

Hi Solus valves i have some ecc82 in pale blue boxes solus brand from i think Villow Vale Electronics any one remember them early to mid 80s when they had reps. We complained about the trade then but would go back tomorow happy days excluding my pet hate the Philips g6 sets with pd500 shunt regulator valve giving off x rays oh life was intresting if not downright dangerous Mick

Re: Solus brand EL34?
 

Solus also supplied CRTs, but I agree that they were only a reseller/rebrander of other manufacturers products.

Solus (Electronics) Ltd, Kirkwood Road, Cambridge (in 1979 and early 1980s). Suppliers of small computers, valves and TV picture tubes.

There might be a connection with the former Murphy Radio Ltd subsidiaries Solus-Schall and Solus Electronic Tubes, as I think these companies were later sold off/closed down by Rank Organisation after they acquired Murphy Radio Ltd in 1962.

Re: Solus brand EL34?
 

We used Solus valves in servicing and in the main they were ok.

Re: Solus brand EL34?
 

If that valve was actually made in Britain then it was probably surplus from Mullard or Brimar. However, it could be that it is actually an RFT made in East Germany and the marking just tells lies. Is there a dimple in the top of the glass?

RFT valves are quite good, and their EL34 is still sought after by people who cannot afford Mullard.

Re: Solus brand EL34?
 

Thanks for the replies guys

Thanks for the information dazzlevision, seems like they were fairly common in the TV/radio repairers world. As I say though, not a brand I've ever found in music gear, maybe the owner was telly tech. Judging by the 'patina' on it it's seen many a year in service

G8 Dave, yes there is a dimple on the top, but wouldn't 'Made in GT Britain' preclude it being made by RFT?

Re: Solus brand EL34?
 

As Dave says, the remarkers weren't always completely honest when they marked the country of origin.

Re: Solus brand EL34?
 

Thanks Paul, yes I see

Re: Solus brand EL34?
 

Philips even sourced their EL34 valves from RFT when they had stopped production themselves. They can be, amongst others, recognised by the lack of the small stamped factory codes but were marked Philips (not sure whether also mentioned Made in Holland, have to look one up).

The ECH84 on r-type looks like it was a bulk Philips valve (factory codes present, simple stamp without brand name - stamp may have even been applied by Solus).

Re: Solus brand EL34?
 

Philips as the largest remarker of valves ever, mostly printed "Made in Holland" on valves that were stamped in The Netherlands but made in one of the countless worldwide factories (incuding some in The Netherlands).

Re: Solus brand EL34?
 

Philips did not seem to have an explicit factory code for RFT, but did have 'f' for East Germany - which almost certainly means RFT. I seem to recall seeing an RFT EL34 wearing Mullard clothes, but I can't remember where.

Re: Solus brand EL34?
 

I guess the particular RFT factory those were made didn't have the equipment to stamp Philips factory codes and Philips didn't bother with an extra production step or didn't have the equipment anymore either.