Broken Tube

Bainzy · Post by **Bainzy** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 11:11 am

While taking my amp chassis out, I accidentally knocked one of the power tubes and the moulded plug underneath that locates it correctly broke off - is this bad? I've managed to put the tube back in fine so the pins go to the right holes in the socket, and the amp fires up ok - should I be concerned?

Post by **VelvetGeorge** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 11:49 am

Just super glue the locator pin back on. It will be fine.

George

Bainzy · Post by **Bainzy** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 3:44 pm

Nice one

dynaman · Post by **dynaman** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 9:59 pm

Believe it or not, Antique Electronic Supply sells a special pin that will slip onto the base of an octal tube to replace a broken keyway. Part #P-STKY-1

Flames1950 · Post by **Flames1950** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 10:41 pm

dynaman wrote:Believe it or not, Antique Electronic Supply sells a special pin that will slip onto the base of an octal tube to replace a broken keyway. Part #P-STKY-1

I was going to mention that very part, good call.

Bainzy · Post by **Bainzy** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 12:17 pm

is it that important in the operation of the tube though? the pins are numbered on the socket, so if you can see from the break mark where the pin was, you can figure out where it goes

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 4:15 pm

Yeah you could do that.... if you dare...

rjgtr · Post by **rjgtr** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 4:20 pm

Unfortuantely I've got two sets of tubes I'm running with the locator pin broken. I really need to call AES! But here's what I do to help me not plug the tube in wrong - I take a sharpy and draw a line on the tube base where the notch points.

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 4:22 pm

Thats a good idea. Especially if the chassis is out because you can look through the other end of the socket and see that its lined up.

NY Chief · Post by **NY Chief** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 4:38 pm

Bainzy wrote:is it that important in the operation of the tube though? the pins are numbered on the socket, so if you can see from the break mark where the pin was, you can figure out where it goes

ummm, be careful. It's not as easy as it looks.

I think I fried an OT on my '71 when I unknowingly installed a tube with a broken locator. I actually heard my guitar coming from the tube itself!! Now I keep blowing fuses. Gotta back to trouble shooting that guy...

Post by **VelvetGeorge** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 7:11 pm

D'oh! I've drawn a line on the side myself. Risky.

George

white room · Post by **white room** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 7:53 pm

I've got a E34L tube that I had to etch a line on the base of because I broke the keyway on it.

dynaman · Post by **dynaman** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 5:14 pm

Aw hell, not too long ago I managed to insert a perfectly sound vintage Tesla EL34 ass backwards into a socket. I don't need a broken keyway to waste good tubes. "Geez, why the hell is this socket so tight? I think I'll push harder!"