Valve vs Tube | Troublesome Terminology

Is it a Valve or a Tube? Different people call it by different names, but the rich history of the Thermionic Valve (or Vacuum Tube) can help us reach some conclusions. Let's settle this argument once and for all...
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[@ScienceofLoud]

Is it a Valve or a Tube? Different people call it by different names, but the rich history of the Thermionic Valve (or Vacuum Tube) can help us reach some conclusions. Let's settle this argument once and for all... Gain access to exclusive content at: www.patreon.com/csguitars Buy CSGuitars Merchandise: csguitars.bigcartel.com/

[@greigwilliamson6763]

It's always been a valve.

[@silverpairaducks]

Great video

[@thedickens6490]

right there in the name; vacuum tube* * ;) cheers with tongue-in-cheek U.S. sarcasm

[@luiscamarena3340]

Valve

[@MyButtsBeenWiped]

Well, Colin, I have always wondered why the Imperialists across the Atlantic, always referred to the Vacuum Tube as a Valve, and you have done a Bang Up Job of explaining it ! I do appreciate it when someone takes the time to do some research in order to explain differences between peoples takes on particular subjects ! So, Thanks, Colin, For All That You Do !

[@hammyjammies]

This is the best channel on YouValve no doubt

[@NashTheGreat]

Of course, YouValve for british realm.

[@NashTheGreat]

@@dildojizzbaggins6969 when did i ask you?

[@waelkarram]

"intellectual thief, animal executioner, "inventor" of the lightbulb" 😂😂😂😂 Nailed it!

[@JC-11111]

History doesn't consider Edison as the inventor of the light bulb. Only people who aren't up on their history think that. They likely also believe that Abe Lincoln "could not tell a lie" & George Washington had wooden teeth and chopped down the cherry tree, too 😆 Patenting the first commercially successful bulb ≠ invented. Not by a long shot. The fact that you don't get this is a shame. The light bulb was invented 80 or 90 years before Edison patented his bulb. No one with any amount of sense reads that and still thinks Edison invented it. As I said, the ones who do likely haven't learned anything about history since grade school, which is where you hear those sorts of things.

[@flekkzo]

That felt like 30 minutes of info in five minutes. Never change! It was brilliant!

[@EddieOtool]

Yeah I had to pause a few times to let things sink in.

[@josephgaviota]

Agree with @flekkzo ... information density is a _GOOD_ thing.

[@RudyAyoub]

0:29

[@Duskusbunny]

I'm gonna eat your guitar pickups, rn

[@aixide]

@@Duskusbunny I agree

[@RaymondHegnes]

Brian May´s guitar tech said it best “We call them valves the tubes we ride in London you see”

[@doublestrokeroll]

except you can't "ride" a tube. You can ride a train going through a tube. The people who invented the language really should know that.

[@paulgordon6949]

He doesn't ride the trains anymore

[@Check7his]

The valve is encased within a glass vacuum tube. That is why we call them tubes. We don't call light bulbs filaments, we call them light bulbs.

[@DanRaymondYoung]

But in the entertainment business, lamps are called instruments and bulbs are called lamps.

[@George.Andrews.]

pringles come in a tube.

[@George.Andrews.]

you call them Pringles

[@Check7his]

@@George.Andrews. pringles are a brand name of a potato chip that comes in a can. We call them a can of pringles or tube of pringles.

[@Check7his]

@@DanRaymondYoung and entertainers apparently don't know anything except what they're talented at.

[@halfmast1612]

You should do a video where it starts normal but as the video progresses, your accent gets stronger and stronger until eventually it's just incoherent yelling

[@ScienceofLoud]

Don't tempt me, I'm pretty close to doing just that.

[@benjaminherbst811]

@@ScienceofLoud or in the middle of a sentence just shout WHAT ARE YOU DOIN IN MY SWAMP

[@johnpacino4491]

We want it! We needet! Freedom!

[@davidtyndale9557]

Gee us a break, will ye?

[@mr.nobody68]

@@ScienceofLoud no balls

[@fromthesilence9583]

Marshall, Vox, Hiwatt, Orange, Laney = Valve amps Fender, Mesa, Jet City, Peavey = Tube amps

[@gvtshorts2024]

Very clever

[@mikehughes2183]

I see nine thermionic valve amp manufacturers listed :o)

[@cmck1777]

Sovtek = электронная лампа amps Wangs = 电子管 amps

[@nicwilson89]

Edison failed to realise it's potential because he hadn't found anyone he could steal that idea from yet :p

[@bassplayer8815]

Tru dat

[@arismakaronas7841]

Well said

[@raysmetaltracks6782]

HA!! Awesome!!!!!

[@sohamsengupta6470]

Accurate

[@jamesfancher7508]

nice one

[@Oyaeboooo]

It's "lamp" in Russia and most likely everywhere in Eastern Europe.

[@n1w4]

moth meme time

[@Oyaeboooo]

n w, cdn.pbrd.co/images/HGDs0d8.png

[@hansgrueber8169]

In Greece they are called butt plugs.

[@Keldingull]

Lampamagnari in iceland, translated Lamp-amplifier. Maybe we should just be calling it lampamps, Rolls off the tongue

[@jasondoe2596]

Hans Grueber, no, they are colloquially called "lamps". Sorry for ruining your unfunny, tasteless "joke".

[@brianricker1703]

This channel needs to be hosted on the science channel as well. Great knowledge lives here.

[@ivanbrasla]

Is this crap, or a metal zone? It all depends on which side of the preamp you are on...

[@zackm318]

> CSGuitars posts New Video entailing differences in National Nomenclature for guitar-related things. > I click to watch said video. > Read provided description of Thomas Edison > Pause video and say "ouch" aloud. You're a brilliant man, Colin. Don't ever change. Cheers from the Colonies!

[@gyrospace2]

Another great education video and the colony humor is well received. Great channel ⚔

[@billuminati3867]

Not going to lie, it took me a minute to realize when you say valve you meant tube. Since we have valvestate, tubestate, valve, and tube amps EVERYWHERE its great to know what the actual difference is between them. So thank you very much Colin.

[@christopherrichardson7001]

Think you missed the point of the video lol

[@cheath8705]

This video is talking about water valve under the sink.😄😉

[@treysword1443]

I still don’t understand how this channel hasn’t gotten more subs he deserves more subs

[@soundman1402]

There's also the terminology difference of "Condenser" and "Capacitor" :)

[@barryhallam1628]

Capacity is what it has, condense is what it does (can do). Its capacity is its value, hence 'Capacitor'. As a young (starter) TV engineer in the 1950's, this really confused me. So what is it when it isn't condensing (reservoir)? Like when it's coupling (DC block or -ve grid biassing), or filtering (by-passing). Then like the fool I was, I read an American electronics book, and got really confused.

[@irrsinnrainer]

In German it's called "Röhre" which is the German word for "Tube".

[@LM5629]

In France we commonly call them "lampes" witch mean, you guessed it, lamps...

[@fromthesilence9583]

Lamp (or the Lamp) keeps cropping up a lot when I put various Guitar amp reviews though Google translator.

[@scriptosaurusrex]

Further evidence that the words 'German engineering' alone mean absolutely nothing. I recently saw razor blades advertised with 'German engineering'. THat said, Ventil-verstärker or Klappen-verstärker does sound funky.

[@Margilio5150]

In Spanish we call them Bulbos

[@frmcf]

Margil io5150 Where are you from? Where I live they are 'válvulas', or sometimes 'lámparas', but that sounds kind of old-fashioned to me.

[@Samcomply]

The other day, a video popped up in my feed of you restoring a guitar. Then it just so happens the next day, that I am starting to explore different amps and looking for some videos. I saw one video and clicked, and I skipped ahead because I just wanted to hear the sound of the amps, but then I said, ‘oh, it’s this dude. I’ll watch.’ Awesome informative super helpful stuff man. Thank you!

[@saguarotreker]

I'm 57 and learn new shit from you every time I watch one of your videos. Love the Scott in your voice. Thank you.

[@bee17167]

Never , something about a red glow will never lose my love for tube/valve amp .

[@raysmetaltracks6782]

Hands down one of the best videos I've ever watched. Absolutely perfect. You NEED a show on TV.

[@noashore2312]

Great lesson. 😁 I, personally, encourage you to do more of those 👍

[@hazrod13]

yeah, they are really good videos

[@thomaschilds8781]

Really good vid. Far more accessible than others I've seen.

[@VaultDestroyer]

You’ve been on KZbin for years now and I’m almost disappointed that you don’t have more subscribers ! But keep making videos like this and your channel will flourish !

[@hazrod13]

Now you are going to have to explain how solid state amps works ! ^^ Great job, keep it up !

[@Blaydrnnnr]

Great vid Colin. Every kid that picks up a guitar should see this....

[@budDG9298]

You know? I never seriously thought about the question but I'm damn sure glad you answered it. That was a great little history lesson. Keep up the great content!

[@HughesandKettneramps]

Great video Colin! For what it's worth, we use the term "tube" because it seems to be the international standard that everyone understands. And, as mentioned elsewhere down here, "Röhre" is the German term, and that translates as "tube" :) Mind you, we're looking at other options these days anyway!

[@Gabriele..]

This is in trend topic on YouValve!

[@timberwolf88]

This channel is seriously underappreciated, there should be 5x the amount of subs

[@ScienceofLoud]

Keep spreading the word and I'm sure we'll get there :)

[@camiloalbertocastrogama854]

Awesome! as a beginner its cool to understand not only the history but the functioning of the equipment that we use every day. Good material!

[@joshuacriss2632]

Second video I've watched......I'm sold. Awesome content. I will now only refer to them as valve amps.

[@kb470]

Most guitar channels are like "WATCH ME SHRED" And "LOL THESE GUITAR FAILS" this is fucking super interesting science history. And I loved the balanced/unbalanced cable video. Keep this up, it's fantastic and made me subscribe

[@JimLove1]

You clever bastard! This was fabulous! As a Canadian we are caught between the Brits and the Yanks. And it takes a Scot to interpret for us!!!

[@kylelikeskjvbible]

As someone interested in electronics, I always wanted an explanation of valves/tubes. Cheers mate! From a Scottish Canuck in Canada.

[@MrJumboblimpjumbo]

Thanks for being as technical as you were on this one, also concise. Interesting stuff!

[@norvillerodgersspeaks]

As a chemist, I'd like to say good job on the terminology.

[@danieljensen2626]

It's not just that they "look like" tubes, it's a description of what they are rather than what it does. They're glass tubes (closed at one end like a test tube), and they have a vacuum inside them. Thus a vacuum tube.

[@Glicksman1]

Colin, we Yanks pronounce it "toob", as Zeus intended. The electronic amplifier was invented in America by Americans, like most modern, useful, important things (and a few really dangerous ones). Those inventors called those wee glass thingies, "toobs". BTW, we are not an "ex-Imperial British conquest". In fact, you-all stole it from the Dutch as well as, as always, the indigenous Native Americans who lived here. We like to think about all that as, "Opening a can of whoop-ass on the Brits." Makes us smile. A lot. :D P.S. Yer "Black Watch" troops ("Ladies from Hell") are amazing and I'm glad we're now on the same side. Cheers, mate.

[@kellyjackson7889]

Great upload! About time somebody produced a vid providing a basic explanation with accompanying graphics of Valve designs

[@Roysito]

1:20 I felt from my chair out of laughter! Good one

[@gabor222]

It's called "electron tube" in Hungary but older people call the amps "lamp amp". :) It's funny that the term "tube" (csöves) was used here for both the amplifiers and for the old-school rockers of the 80'ies who were wearing tight jeans (the term is referring to the the leg part of the trousers which is straight like a tube unlike those wide bootcut trousers that were in fashion in the 60-70'ies).

[@patfix]

You even made valve history interesting. Legend.

[@moses1202]

Very simple and informative for understanding how valves/tubes are developed!

[@MrAmptech]

Main problem is a transistor is just as much of a valve as a tube. We call them Tubes because they are more tubular than the Bulbs(light Bulbs) that they evolved from. Of course the glass blowing style used for these came from Test Tube manufacture. The rectifier is interesting in that it appears to have started out as an attempt to solve the self destructive character of early light bulbs then they realized its other properties and finally its use in radio. Rectifiers would be like flapper valves/heart valves. Transistors and Tubes work more like water taps in that they vary the flow of a current.

[@ViaticalTree]

“By the mid sexties...” Sounds like a hot time to be alive.

[@theknifesedge57]

Guys, i have a feeling Colin likes KTs. Look at his face when he says "Bim teh-trod".

[@orange70383]

About 25 years ago I got thousands of tubes/valves that a repair shop was going to trash because they were closing the shop for good. He said he hadn't used one for repair in years, I used them as bb gun targets but I still have a bunch, I mainly shot the ones that looked like coke bottles.

[@saarangnarayan123]

Finally a non-divisive video about valves in the guitar community!

[@markhammer643]

Eighteen years ago, I had coronary bypass surgery. More recently, a friend had his aorta unravel and they had to surgically fix where it connects with his heart. *I* had tubes replaced, but *he* had a valve replaced (and a bit of tubing). Therein lies the difference. Too many people know these glass puppies by their more common repair-bench name: "must-be-a-tube".

[@ChaosPootato]

You can tell he's geeking out like crazy by the way he talks about them valves haha :D Really interesting stuff, thanks!

[@seanvansice7362]

This was a great video! Your enthusiasm for the subject is refreshing, keep it up!

[@UltraCodex66]

I love when physics don't feel like magic and I can actually have fun learning about stuff

[@Bigscott4130]

The UK and the USA are two countries divided by a common language.

[@BillMcGirr]

Scott Stevenson Nah... those Brits speak the worst American I’ve ever heard.😉🤪

[@EddieOtool]

As long as they're not divided by common sense, I think it's still fine... Are they?

[@gerryjamesedwards1227]

There are these nu-tube things finding their way into pedal-board amps now, with lower voltage requirements for the filament and lower plate voltages too, I think, with their really small size they can be used with SMD designs and apparently reproduce the characteristics of the larger ones very well. I haven't actually seen one in the flesh, but they will hopefully catch on.... they make DIY valve projects much more of an attractive proposition.

[@AiGenerationMagic]

Excellent explanation of something I have been wondering for a long time!

[@RoachDoggJr2112]

I live in Maryland, in the US. I use Valve and Tube more or less interchangably. But I tent to gravitate towards calling the British amps Valve Amps, and American amps Tube Amps. Occasionally, I will refer to the Amps themselves as Valve Amps, but the actual valves/tubes as Tube.

[@matttaylor1449]

This video was awesome, very interesting. And this explains why The Randall Satan uses two KT88 VALVES in the power amp stage.

[@flatsix666]

Not sure I followed your presentation as I'm a bit thick, however I do know you will have to prise my Marshall 1959HW amp from my cold dead hands before I give up using VALVE'S I thank you ! :)

[@thomashoover6845]

I didn't know that Valves and Tubes were the same thing. I was looking to buy a new amp and I wanted a "tube" amp, but I kept seeing these "valve" amps all over the place. A few months later, when I had someone explain to me the difference, (or lack there of) I ended up buying myself a Marshall Origin 20 head, its the best Valve amp I've ever played.

[@gringogreen4719]

Great lesson Collin! Keep up the great work my friend!😎👍

[@dzang96]

As much as I feel sad for the future of valves/tubes, I still cling to my Peavey Bandit 112. Most people say it sounds and behaves very similarly to valve amps, when in fact it’s a solid state.

[@dragonsquare2802]

Way to go, Colin! Very well done!

[@keaman]

These videos are SO good. Well done on smartin' up tha masses Colin!

[@mr.jogger8346]

Great Colin, as usual. Love that Scottish accent, since I learned English in Edinburgh.

[@AdamIronside]

Good video man and interesting history. Edison 'stole' his lightbulb design from Joseph Swan. Instead of fighting about it they partnered up and formed the Ediswan Company. I believe Ediswan were the first UK manufacturer of valves for radio / amplification.

[@sparkplug1018]

The Russian military still uses valves in things like radar sets apparently. Since a valve isn't susceptible to EMP blasts like a transistor is. In any event, whether we call it a valve or a tube really doesn't matter, we all know darn well (or should) what is being discussed. Thanks for the good history lesson, you got a ton of info in there that can get pretty darn technical at times.

[@mikehughes2183]

They still use valves for TV transmitters at incredibly high voltages!

[@alexanders562]

This is great. Insightful, informative, and funny to remind Americans that we name things for what they look like, rather than what they do.

[@Claimjumper55]

So that settles it then; it's a tube............................heheheheh

[@andyp5743]

Great video! Very informative and clearly explained. Cheers Colin!

[@PiPArtemis]

"The matter of what to call it can be sorted out by figuring out who invented it and what they called it" I am DYING to know his thoughts on the GIF vs GIF debate then

[@Syldar]

I love the way you explain. At last, a science oriented music channel !

[@Syldar]

PS: thanks to you, I modded my crybaby wah to a true bypass + led ;) thanks mate

[@michaelforde4373]

He is a brilliant narrator

[@SorenAraujo]

Fantastic video! This channel keeps getting better and better :)

[@Eddie_fn_g]

“Give us a break with that tube patter” hahah cheers from California.

[@BrianBrazilHarmonica]

Nice history lesson on vacuum tubes or valves.

[@kreechrr]

loved the "tube" accent. spot on hahaha

[@EdEddnEddyMercury]

I always thought people in the UK called it valve but it was the same thing as tube. Then I saw this video title and thought I was wrong all this time. So then I watched the video just to learn I was right all along

[@famitory]

i like 'tube' for general purpose use because there are a handful of things which have the same form factor, but don't employ thermionic emission. nixie tubes, for example, are often basically nine light bulb filaments inside one vacuum tube.

[@shrednarok4616]

I’ve never been so hyped for valves!

[@michaelinglis8516]

I thought I knew everything you'd be teaching but I learned a few good solid facts. Great video.

[@kerryloc]

As a public service for those people who couldn't understand Colin's final address to camera, I have translated it as: "Give us a break with that tube patter!"

[@mr.nobody68]

The fuck is patter?

[@zakktheripper4life]

@@mr.nobody68 Crap.

[@Frewster]

@@mr.nobody68 Patter is just talking. Y'know, having a yarn, chatting, a bit of gossip. God we've too many ways of saying the same thing.

[@frogandspanner]

The Fleming _thermionic valve_ was invented in UK, where we speak English (as opposed to the US where they speak American English). It was a bulb (bulbous) [1:29] rather than a tube (cylindrical), and rather than call it a bulb it was called a _valve_ as that was its function. The first triode was a bulb, and not a tube. Most early valves were not tubular, but did have the function of _valves_ . Why on earth 'Merkins began to call non-tubular devices 'tubes' is a mystery. As for Television tube - apart from the gun end it is completely non-tubular. "TV Funnel" would me more appropriate.

[@CesarSoto1]

Love the info and the editing, cheers Colin!

[@snarkybu42]

You sir… are my hero

[@ExplosiveNotes]

It's "elektronka", while amp with those is "lampový zasilovač" (lamp amp) or in slag "flaškovej zesik" (bottle amp). /end of czech language lesson/

[@NebulonRanger]

Britain: Valve America: Tube Canada: both, depends on who you ask

[@TheRealCeeJai]

0:29 Literally the accent in my part of the country and you nailed it. I'm ded. XD

[@alexmills168]

Brilliant Video! I learnt so much in the short time due to your excellent explanation. Keep these lil vids coming :)

[@josephgaviota]

Such a great explanation, thank you very much.

[@MisterB4x]

Excellent video! Very well explained!

[@HermelJaworski]

In French, we call them "lampes", which is basically... lamps!

[@calyodelphi124]

I love this breakdown about valves.

[@montlejohnbojangles8937]

Best explainer I've ever seen. Good shit man. ❤️

[@Gordonhermederme]

Excellent information.

[@cmck1777]

"Scotland (for the moment at least!)" Such a good detail! If you guys make it out, can a portion of Northern Ireland come chill too? (No offence intended to those who are proud to be members of UK; you have valid reasons which I respect)

[@johntractor9799]

I never knew a valve could do that 2:24 , pretty impressive.

[@ScienceofLoud]

This is how valves amplify. A guitar signal is very weak, small voltage and current. By applying that small voltage to the Control Grid, the guitar signal controls the much larger flow of current through the valve. What comes out of the anode is then an amplified copy of what was sent to the grid, obviously with the valves own colouration added into the mix.

[@roddyrobertson5393]

Tube patter comes from tubes. Valve patter comes from electrical banter! :-)