27-12-2016, 01:03 PM
(27-12-2016, 10:36 AM)Murphyv310 Wrote: Any Pro-Electron, US and Russian valve with the same type number "should" conform to the original spec no matter who made them, Mazda, Pinnacle and others were often re-badged Mullard/Philips valves.
I like the emphasis on the 'should', Trevor!
I remember when the PCL85 became very difficult to get hold of - probably not long before it was replaced by the 'new and improved' PCL805.
We took this up with our Mullard rep when he called round one day. Yes, there was a world shortage of PCL85s but it was being exacerbated in the UK by the way the bulk users - such as the large rental chains - bought their valves.
They were supplied in bulk and untested, apart from a batch test - unlike individually boxed valves sold to the independent retailers which were all individually tested. In lieu of a return-under-warranty system, as the anticipated failure rate was estimated to be 5% or less, a feature of this bulk supply scheme was that the buyer could claim an additional number of valves - I think the figure was 7½% - instead. However, there was a catch to this as the buyer stipulated what type of valve comprised the additional 7½% and the manufacturer had to supply that type.
What happened, our rep explained, was that as soon as rumours started circulating of a shortage, all of these bulk users started specifying that this extra supply must be of PCL85s, no matter what type the order for the bulk was for.
Essentially, they were stock piling to the detriment of the rest of the trade who only got what was left over.
He also said that they had been offered bulk supplies of PCL85s by a foreign manufacturer but Mullard had examined them and refused to put their trademark on them. However, they thought that Mazda had snapped them up.
Sure enough, a week or so later, our back orders for the PCL85 were filled with Maxda branded valves - a very high proportion of which were subsequently return for replacement under guarantee!
