Re-tensioning preamp tube sockets

[Randy]

Is there any danger in tightening preamp tube sockets with the amp off and unplugged? Do I need to pull the chassis and drain the caps or is it safe to work on the preamp sockets?

[Blue Strat]

The caps must be drained as high voltage is applied directly to tube sockets and can knock you on your ass (or worse).

[ChickenLover]

Just the other day I had one of my rebuilt amps with brand new power tube sockets in it start giving me intermittent hum and strange problems. Then I realized that the pin 4 socket (screen grid) was the culprit but what I 'learned' here was that when you solder these big sandbox screen grid resistors from pin 6 to pin 4 and then connect to pin 6...the only thing holding that whole thing stationary is the pin 4...because the 6L6 tube doesn't even have a pin 6. So in that case, having pin 4 be very tight would seem to be benficial. I tightyened up pin 4 and the amp is fine now...well...except for the microphonic winged C 6L6...but I had a spare.

[JJman]

Don't be surprised if you cannot re-tension a pre-amp tube socket. At least the "common" sized one. There is basically no room to "get in there" with your metal dental pick. I had to change such a socket on my tube tester since it would not re-tension. It had already been changed once before since the rivets were replaced by screws. (Made in 1945 :dude )

Some sockets allow you to "push out" the contact from the socket. You would need to have no solder on it. That would make it much more possible to re-tension.

[Matt Gordon]

Don't be surprised if you cannot re-tension a pre-amp tube socket. At least the "common" sized one. There is basically no room to "get in there" with your metal dental pick. I had to change such a socket on my tube tester since it would not re-tension. It had already been changed once before since the rivets were replaced by screws. (Made in 1945 :dude )

Some sockets allow you to "push out" the contact from the socket. You would need to have no solder on it. That would make it much more possible to re-tension.

This mirrors my experience. I figure while I'm at it, just replace them. Cheaper amps will have crappy sockets that are almost impossible to fix. I've had them break on my Laney VH100R. :jo