For Sheena in Russia

admin · Post by **admin** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 9:13 am

Sheena: Is there any way you could get to one of the Tube Factories in Russia and take a few photos of the operation for posting here? Here is a link to some information regarding Russian tubes.

sowhat · Post by **sowhat** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 10:28 am

Uh... Peter, i'm afraid an average vagabond wouldn't be let in, the factories of this kind are not suggested for excursions. The other problem is that all the cities listed on the site are a bit too far from where i live, maybe Ryazan is the only exception (still takes about 2-3 hours of 'hitch-hiking' or 2,5 hours by train). I may try to find some products, think some of my friends may have them, but you're interested in process as far as i understand? So i'm sorry, if i ever have a chance i won't miss it of course, but there's little chance to be true...

admin · Post by **admin** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 10:47 am

Sheena: Thanks for the interesting insight into current day factory life in Russia. This is not secret technology, as far as I know. Perhaps a friend of a friend of a friend?

sowhat · Post by **sowhat** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 11:59 am

I'd suggest to some extent, it still is, Peter. I'll try to do my best, albeit, try to understand, i wouldn't like to make promises i probably won't be able to keep. I don't belong to manufacturing, and i cannot think of any friend who does. Really sorry, but this kind of information is inaccessible for an average Russian.

winston · Post by **winston** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 12:03 pm

I read somewhere that the Russian military still uses vacuum tube technology to some extent so it may in fact be a somewhat sensitive subject.

admin · Post by **admin** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 12:08 pm

Thanks Sheena. A most interesting discussion none the less.

winston · Post by **winston** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 12:14 pm

Peter,

It would seem that Svetlana is open to tours. Follow this link.

http://koti.mbnet.fi/siliconf/JukkaTolonen/ga/v&tnews/svetlana.html

admin · Post by **admin** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 12:21 pm

Thanks Brian. Unless this was a special tour, all is not lost Sheena.

"In the era of the old regime, it would have been utterly impossible to visit Svetlana. Today, everything has changed: I was given a very friendly and complete factory tour, which was arranged by the California office. Nothing was out of bounds, and I was urged to photograph anything I wished. In its period of peak activity, the whole Svetlana enterprise occupied a large area, spanning many city blocks and comprising some 15 large buildings. Due to rearrangements, reorganizations, and reductions in production, many of these buildings are now quiet and lifeless.

The operation of the Svetlana Electron Devices and the production of glass and ceramic tubes is gradually being consolidated into four adjacent buildings. A small imperial-style red-brick building, where the incandescent lamp factory initially started, still stands among the newer, gray and drab buildings. Appropriately, it houses the Svetlana Museum. A tube factory is a surprising collection of chemistry, physics, metallurgy, machine shops, precision mechanics, clean-room manufacturing, glassworks, vacuum technology, high-voltage engineering, electronics instrumentation, and testing. Thus, it is a combination of many highly specialized branches of industry.

Inside, to its benefit, the factory differs from most other Russian factories. Since Svetlana produces and manufactures some of its raw materials and all parts on its own, the company uses many machine tools, lathes, milling machines, cutters, and presses. The machinery, albeit aged, is well maintained and the production materials and facilities are well organized. Many of the special machines needed in tube manufacture are designed and built in-house."

sowhat · Post by **sowhat** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 12:37 pm

Well, that's interesting... but to tell you the truth, being a linguist, i'm really lousy at physics and chemistry, so even if given a chance i'd rather doubt i'd come up with a good overview of what i don't understand at all.

So i'd suggest, if you're that interested in the stuff, Peter, why not make a trip to Russia? There's lots of great places to visit, not only factories...

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 10:48 pm

Russian confluence!

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 4:53 am

Sheena: How about a picture of a Rickenbacker from Russia?

sowhat · Post by **sowhat** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 5:28 am

HA! Peter, that's cool! I've NEVER seen a Ric here!

(however, i've seen a lovely acoustic Fender which i'm intended to purchase in some time

Have to ask my friends, maybe somebody had seen a Ric here... not sure, though, i'd rather doubt any of them has any (shipping, all the stuff, you know)... 8-( and i'd rather doubt any of our factories makes "copies" of Rics...
Russian confluence... cool.

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 5:52 am

Sheena: I ask the question because I have not seen reference to one here. In your highly populated country, or indeed city, I am confident they exist.

sowhat · Post by **sowhat** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 6:28 am

They're selling this one on the web:

Rickenbacker 360 Vintage Reissue (2004) USA - 45 000 roubles, which is about $ 1700 i believe, and another one in Maestro (music store in Moscow) (haven't seen it, though, when i was there last weekend) - RICKENBACKER 325V59, about $ 2000. Sure they exist here, have no doubt about it, the other question is... to be true, i doubt any of my friends can afford it, i'm sorry. Will try to check out but it might take some time (some days or maybe even weeks).

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 6:37 am

Thanks Sheena. At least they are there.