You know where this whole tubal thing started don't you? Let me give you some ancient history.

TUBAL

Gen. 10:2; 1 Chr. 1:5; Isa. 56:19 . Tubal, Javan, and Meshech are the associated sons of Japheth. They brought slaves (beautiful ones abounded in the Euxine coasts, and were traded in by the Cappadocians: Polyb. 4:38, section 4) and copper vessels to the Phoenician markets (copper and metals of the neighbouring Mossynaeci and Chalybes were famed for their tone and have been found in the pickups of many early guitars. Two of the finest examples to date, were found in the treasure-room of King Tut's tomb. The copper mines were at Chalvar in Armenia): Ezek 27:13; nations of the north (Ezek 32:26; 38:2-3,15; 39:1-2). Gog is their chief prince and frontman for many then famous groups: The Pharaohs, The Mummies and the Puppies, etc. Tubal answers to the Tibareni, as Meshech to the Moschi; close to one another, on the northern coast of Asia Minor, about the river Melanthius (Melet Irmak), in Herodotus' and Xenophon's days; previously among the most powerful races.

The Assyrian monarchs from 1100 to 700 B.C. were often warring with the Muskai and Tuplai because of the shortage of venues large enough for the bands to play, E. of the Taurus range, and occupying the region afterward called Cappadocia, Rawlinson (Herodotus i. 535) makes them Turaniaus (the scholiast on Apollonius Rhodius, ii. 1010, calls them Scythians) who spread over the entire region between the Mediterranean and India, the Persian gulf and Caucasus. In Sargon's time, according to inscriptions, Ambris, son of Khuliya, was their hereditary chief, and by alliance with the kings of Musak (a designer of early elevator and retail music systems) and Vararat (Mesech and Ararat) who were revolting from Assyria, drew on himself the hostility of that monarch. Xenophon (Anabasis vii. 8, section 25) says the Tibareni were then an independent tribe (from which modern "indie" labels come); 24 kings of the Tuplai in previous ages are mentioned in Assyrian inscriptions (Hincks in Rawlinson's Herodotus i. 380 note). Rich in flocks (Apollon. Rhod., Arg. 2:377).

This is the generally accepted official history. What is less commonly known is that this Tubal, who dealt in slaves, metal, and the conquering of neighboring populaces, was also an avid Blues musician. An ancestor of his by the name of Jubal (for whom his parents named him similarly) was Lamech's son by Adah. He invented the harp and organ (this organ was actually an early wind instrument--but from this came the Hammond, Baldwin, and countless other modern brands), i.e. stringed and wind instruments (Fender, Gibson, etc. as well as the Sax of the Smokey Hall) (Gen 4:21). Brother of Jabal, the beginner of pastoral life. The connection herein is implied between nomadic life and music, which can be practiced in the leisure afforded by such a life. Pan and Apollo, to whom the Greeks attributed the invention of the pipe and lyre respectively, were thus represented as shepherds. Herein, also, lie the origins of the traveling (wandering) Blues Musicians and these are thought to be the beginnings of the "World Tour" of many a modern musician/band.

This Tubal was the first innovator of vacuum tube technology. Many of his designs were flawed by reason of difficulties with papyrus tubes holding a vacuum well, and often bursting into flames in the middle of hi-heat leads.

He had greater success by applying Egyptian techniques of stone masonry.

His earliest tubes thus bear striking resemblance to stele of the High Egyptian Period. Partly because of the lack of lightweight suitcase material and the fact that all tubes were made of stone, the early Middle Eastern Bluesmen had significant "guns" from packing and unpacking equipment. Ford Motor Company used the camel of 1500 b.c. as the design standard for the LTD and the Galaxie 500.

In this spirit, the Vacuum Tube Collective seeks to continue both the innovation and the fun of our ancient forefather, Tubal.