Pre amp tube tight fit?

[rockinlespaul]

I've been messing around with trying different pre amp tubes in my 1974X and I notice the tube socket closest to the power and rectifier tubes is very tight. What I mean is it takes some umph to pull that tube out.

Is there anything I can do to make the tube come out easier? I don't want to mess anything up. Thanks!

[stratman_el84]

Most likely anything you do will cause a too-loose contact down the line. As you insert and remove tubes, this should mitigate itself over time. Just be very careful until the socket contacts have 'broken in'. Also be aware that some tubes' pins are larger or smaller than others. Care and patience are the order here.

Cheers!

Strat

[Structo]

The best way to remove a preamp tube or just about any tube is to rock it in a small circular motion while pulling up.

Some tubes have bigger pins than others, particularily power tubes.

I think I would rather have tight sockets than loose ones.

I suppose you could spray the pins with some DeoxIT to lube the pins slightly which will also help clean the socket pins.