Knock-Off junk, where does it end?

[The Slab Bacon]

I am currently rebuilding a Johnson Ranger for KA2TRU, he asked me to doo all of the "hot rod" mods while I was at it. He asked about the 6550 modulator tube swap, and I told him it would be no problem, but I didnt have any 6550's to supply him with.
He said that he would get them and send them to me, and asked me which brand was best to buy. I told him that I didnt think it really mattered for voice audio, but the audiofools seem to prefer the NOS Tung-Sol brand tubes the best.

About a month later a package arrives from him and it is some new Tung Sol 6550's.
I didnt pay much attention to them till I started on his transmitter. When I opened the package, I found some very new looking Tung Sol boxes. They looked too new to be NOS boxes, so I examined further. The boxes were great repros of the original Tung Sol boxes, but had NO small printing on them (patent info, mfrs address, copyrights, etc.) So I examined further. Pulling one of the tubes out of the box, it was labeled "Tung Sol nade in Russia" with the made in russia in small print. As I read this I giggled to myself "where does it end".

Even the russians are going after the audiofools with knock off szht! I really dont have any problems with ruskie tubes as they have have never stopped manufacturing them.
I have no problem using them, but the knock off Tung Sol boxes and the $50+ each that he paid for them just irk my nanny a little.

With cheap Chinese knock off consumer merchandise, and all of the other knock off garbage that is out there, where does it end!!

                                                                  The Slab Bacon

[Pete, WA2CWA]

Demand and hype created the market.
http://www.boiaudioworks.com/index.php?cPath=69

When Westrex, i.e. Western Electric, started manufacturing the 300B's again several years ago, I seem to remember they sold the first lot of about 10,000, without ever making one. They have since added to their line.
http://www.westernelectric.com/pricing.asp

[W2JBL]

  Holy Inflation Batham! ten years ago i sold off a  large stock of NOS Western Electric tubes i had here. it made enough to pay off a ton of nasty debt from a failed buisiness. i still have a large number of WE 417A and 404A tubes, mostly NOS, some used. no boxes though due to poor storage. back then nobody wanted them. now i see on that site they go for 350$? looks like i better test them and head for Epay! my camp needs a new roof and outhouse..