cjgeraci Posted January 10, 2005 Share Posted January 10, 2005 As you know, I am a tube rookie. Getting ready to do my first roll on my Mark IIIs. I assume I should handle the old & new tubes so as to not get fingerprints on them (or oil). If so, what do you guys use? Cotton gloves? In the absence of those, a clean cotton towel? Any other materials ok? Anything to be careful about? Is left over lint a concern? Inquiring minds want to know (actually - probably just mine). Thanks. Carl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott0527 Posted January 10, 2005 Share Posted January 10, 2005 I suppose if I had some fairly expensive NOS brands with nice labels on them, I might break out some coton gloves. Other than smudging the labels I don't think fingerprints are of any real concern to performance. I try not to eat sloppy sandwiches and handle tubes at the same time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klipsch RF7 Posted January 10, 2005 Share Posted January 10, 2005 Carl, I just pull them out with my bare hands, I doubt your fingerprints will have any impact on the tube whatsoever, any residual oil will burn off once the tubes heat up. Let me know how you like you Electro Harmonix KT-90's that you just purchased. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3dzapper Posted January 10, 2005 Share Posted January 10, 2005 If you can, pull and insert your tubes by the base. This will insure that the bond between the base and the glass stays intact. Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Blacksmith Posted January 10, 2005 Share Posted January 10, 2005 I have white cotton gloves, I did not go out of my way to get them but they were free so I figgured they couldn't hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodger Posted January 10, 2005 Share Posted January 10, 2005 Having a pin straightener, 7 and 9 pins, is also a good investment. Antique Electronic Supply ususally has them and they go on sale once in a while. dodger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3dzapper Posted January 10, 2005 Share Posted January 10, 2005 ---------------- On 1/10/2005 2:19:51 PM Cal Blacksmith wrote: I have white cotton gloves, I did not go out of my way to get them but they were free so I figgured they couldn't hurt. ---------------- Wayne, I'm sure that you look dashing in them!!! Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodger Posted January 10, 2005 Share Posted January 10, 2005 ---------------- On 1/10/2005 2:28:24 PM 3dzapper wrote: ---------------- On 1/10/2005 2:19:51 PM Cal Blacksmith wrote: I have white cotton gloves, I did not go out of my way to get them but they were free so I figgured they couldn't hurt. ---------------- Wayne, I'm sure that you look dashing in them!!! Rick ---------------- Well I wonder if they are just wrist or arm length. dodger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Blacksmith Posted January 10, 2005 Share Posted January 10, 2005 ---------------- On 1/10/2005 2:36:34 PM dodger wrote: ............... Well I wonder if they are just wrist or arm length. dodger ---------------- Well if you must know, HRUMPH! They only go to the middle of the fore-arm. They look LOVELY with my feathered straw hat and dark blue wrap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjgeraci Posted January 10, 2005 Author Share Posted January 10, 2005 Thanks guys. Since these Mark IIIs have been rebuilt once, I wanted to give them a quick roll to see how they sound before I end up having Craig just tear them down and do them right!!! I've had many great suggestions (thanks ErFan!), but ultimately, availability limited some of my options. Based on Dr. Bill's (and Dodger's) suggestions, I am going to try some KT-90s (Electro-Harminix) to see how they sound. I am really enjoying owning two nice tube amps. I am now swapping the Marantz 8B and the Mark IIIs back and forth between the Belles and the RF-7s (along with swapping my Peach and Marantz 7T). Each new combination of preamp with amp brings something new and delicious with each set of speakers. I am still not sure which will end up where, but it is a nice problem to have!! I will let you know if I concur with Dr. Bill's assessment of the KT-90s. Thanks again. Carl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnysal Posted January 10, 2005 Share Posted January 10, 2005 white gloves are not necessary, the oil on your hands will do no damage to the glass of the tube (other than smudge), if you don't like smudges wipe the tubes down with a clean t-shirt after they are placed. pull the tubes out by the base as mentioned before and try to aviod tapping, shaking or bumping the tubes, especially while current is applied to them. other than that they are mostly rugged, long-lived items that require no real care. regards, tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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