# Sovtek

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Russian vacuum tube brand

A [Sovtek MIG-50](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sovtek_MIG-50&action=edit&redlink=1) amplifier on top of an [SWR](/source/SWR_Sound_Corporation) Henry 8x8 [speaker cabinet](/source/Speaker_cabinet)

[KT88](/source/KT88) vacuum tubes made by Sovtek

**Sovtek** is a brand of [vacuum tube](/source/Vacuum_tube) owned by Mike Matthews's **New Sensor Corporation** and manufactured in [Saratov](/source/Saratov), Russia. They are often used in [guitar](/source/Guitar) [amplification](/source/Guitar_amplifier) and include versions of the popular [12AX7](/source/12AX7), [EL84](/source/EL84), [EL34](/source/EL34), and [6L6](/source/6L6) vacuum tubes. Many of the vacuum-tube amplifiers in modern production are factory-fitted with Sovtek valves.[1] Originally, Sovtek guitar amplifier valves were claimed to have been descendants of earlier wartime Russian-made components and carried blast proof capabilities. This, however, was later dispelled as urban myth, attributed to a sales person who promoted early product at music industry trade shows worldwide[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*].

In the 1990s, Sovtek also manufactured tube amplifiers at factories in [Saint Petersburg](/source/Saint_Petersburg), [Saratov](/source/Saratov), and [Novosibirsk](/source/Novosibirsk).[2][*[unreliable source?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Reliable_sources)*] Several models were offered for guitar and bass. Sovtek brand speaker cabinets fitted with U.S.-made Eminence speakers were also offered. At the same time, Sovtek manufactured variants of several effects pedals already manufactured in New York City by [Electro-Harmonix](/source/Electro-Harmonix), another company owned by Mike Matthews. Sovtek released versions of the Electro-Harmonix [Big Muff](/source/Big_Muff) and Small Stone pedals. Those pedals, along with the Bass Balls pedal, were later manufactured in both the U.S. and Russia, under the Electro-Harmonix name;[3] manufacturing in Russia was later discontinued.

As of 2012[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sovtek&action=edit) Sovtek was used only as a brand name for vacuum tubes distributed by the New Sensor Corporation.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Serinus, Jason Victor. [Tube Supplies Under Siege](http://www.stereophile.com/news/052206tubes/) in *[Stereophile](/source/Stereophile)*, May 20, 2006.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["George's Amps"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170429125253/http://www.kramerforum.com/george/amps.html). *Kramer Forum*. Archived from [the original](http://www.kramerforum.com/george/amps.html) on 29 April 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Mike Matthews Interview"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070530104601/http://www.guitaramplifiermagazine.com/pub/2005/premier_issue/mike_matthews_interview.html). *Guitar Amplifier Magazine*. Archived from [the original](http://www.guitaramplifiermagazine.com/pub/2005/premier_issue/mike_matthews_interview.html) on May 30, 2007.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Sovtek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sovtek) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sovtek?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.