Anyone uses tube guards?

[Tubeglowpio]

Have thought about using tube guards in a build but always wondered how you would switched the tubes out? Would you have to flip the amp and remove the nut then pull the guard off, swap tubes and put guard back on? Or is there enough room to get a grip on the tube and wiggle it out of the socket?

 

[gadget73]

Not sure exactly the devices you speak of. Tube shields just come off, either pull off or 1/4 turn and release. Is this something else ? If its something that doesn't just pull off I wouldn't use it just because it would be inconvenient.

 

[Lavane]

The OP may be referring to those ringed cages you see on signal tubes. Usually seen on various Chinese tube preamps and amps.

 

[Tubeglowpio]

I would hope that you don't that I'm that ignorant with tube gear gadget Lavane knows what I'm talking about, they are called tube guards, they are different from tube sheild as they don't really sheild from noise but they can look kind of cool. I found a close up pic of one and I think you just unscrew 3 screws on top and the top ring comes off.

 

[Tubeglowpio]

I'm thinking about just using them with a pair of 6p14pev tubes for my brothers shop amp build. I probably wouldn't use them for my own because it would take more time to tube roll of I wanted to. I figure those should last a good while in his amp so he won't need to mess with them.

 

[sKiZo]

The shields have a bottom section that's mounted beneath the socket flange, and the top section slides on and snaps in place. These are mostly to reduce the potential for microphonics in driver sections.

There's also transport clips that mount the same way, but have a wire that snaps over thetop of the tube to hold it in place. I usually remove those if the equipment is going to be stationary.

And yah ... there's pretty cages that do nothing but add bling - go for it if that's your thang ...

 

[Djcoolray]

You should really check out the 1/4 turn and pull bracket that attaches to the surrounding base around the tube. You can drill holes in the shield and polish them so they are functional and cool. A good repair shop that’s been around for like forever and a day can do it for you, and you can have the shields 1/4 turn mounting bracket cadmium plated prior to installation...and easily do it yourself using copper rivets. You could even cadmium plate the outer housing that the 1/4 turn bracket would be mounted to....

 

[Mr.Jim]

I have a tube preamp that has them. Mine also have a couple nuts . Gotta take it apart to remove the bottom nuts. Pain in the butt.

 

[larryderouin]

 

[Tubeglowpio]

 

[DavidTT]

I have a Little Bear T11 phono pre that comes with both metal tube shields and clear acrylic guards. The acrylic guards use three small screws that go into pre-drilled holes in the metal cabinet. They look pretty cool and guard against heat, although the tubes in this unit don't get blazing hot the way power and rectifier tubes get in power amps. The metal shields require a little metal base that gets screwed to the metal chassis, then the tube goes into the socket, and then the metal shield gets fitted over the tube and attaches to the little base. Simple, and I use one on the number one pre tube to guard against hum. The Little Bear T11 has proven to be a fantastic unit, and very cost effective, BTW.

 

[Lavane]

I have a Little Bear T11 phono pre that comes with both metal tube shields and clear acrylic guards. The acrylic guards use three small screws that go into pre-drilled holes in the metal cabinet. They look pretty cool and guard against heat, although the tubes in this unit don't get blazing hot the way power and rectifier tubes get in power amps. The metal shields require a little metal base that gets screwed to the metal chassis, then the tube goes into the socket, and then the metal shield gets fitted over the tube and attaches to the little base. Simple, and I use one on the number one pre tube to guard against hum. The Little Bear T11 has proven to be a fantastic unit, and very cost effective, BTW.

I have a T-11. You definitely need a shield on that first tube. I just used them on all three.