Help with Silvertone 1481. Scratchy sound but not the pots!

[Chuck H]

I usually find that Deoxit and a couple of lightly rotated insertions works fine. I have tub full of 12au7's from an old, but lightly used Conn organ that got left out in the rain and then abandoned by the owner. The pins aren't rusty, just sort of mottled with a black oxide. I clean them with Deoxit and a brass toothbrush. Well, I guess it's not technically a toothbrush but that's the shape. Seems to work fine and no conductive dust or scratches on the pins.

I have cleaned badly oxidized jack contacts with fine sand paper though. Very lightly. But they have to be really bad and I have to be in a remote location without a proper replacement jack because many (if not most) jacks are plated.

[Enzo]

Usually pulling a tube in and out of its socket a couple times cleans the pins. But when I really feel the need, I use a wire brush in my Dremel. You can use the common wire wheel, but I like teh end brushes.

Here are wire wheel, cup and end brushes.

[Randall]

I use those add on pencil erasers, no paper for me.

[TimmyP1955]

For socket scrubbing, I use wound guitar strings. I forget the size though.

[Chuck H]

What are the pins made of? Like I mentioned, I have a small tub of au7's with oxidized pins. They don't rust, they just turn different levels of black. And, apparently, they can take some high temps and also maintain this low level of oxide formation.

[Enzo]

I have a set of root canal files I got from my dentist, they are my last defense before socket replacement.

[eschertron]

I have a set of root canal files I got from my dentist, they are my last defense before socket replacement.

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Great! Now I'm afraid to close my eyes and go to sleep! Thanks, Enzo

[Leo_Gnardo]

I have a set of root canal files I got from my dentist, they are my last defense before socket replacement.

Do you speak gently to those sockets "this won't hurt a bit... you won't feel a thing!"

I did speak to my endodontist one fine day . . . well maybe not so fine I'm sure you know what I mean . . . in any case I noticed the instruments she was using to ream out my tooth's roots. Despite being zonked on some painkiller I noticed they were prime for tube socket cleaning. She didn't/wouldn't share any of them (dang!) but she probably saved me from an even worse infection so I couldn't complain. That gal has a cast iron stomach! Since then I noticed dental brushes intended for cleaning gaps between teeth have appeared on grocery store shelves, and in several sizes. They are plastic, not metal, and with a dab of Deoxit are the best you can do, as Enzo says, last defense before replacement. I recommend 'em, buy if you see them, and don't forget to use some on your teeth. "Keep smilin' "

[Enzo]

Perfect little reams for... well for something like tube sockets or other light work in tiny holes. My dentist had gone with newer ones and gave me some old ones. They may have not been what HE needed, but they worked fine for me.

A pipe cleaner might fit down a hole, sure would on an octal socket. I have some brushes specifically made for XLR holes. I have seen several little tooth gap cleaners, they look like short handles on taperd tiny pipe cleaners. I think most are plastic, but I have seen some with a wire center.