odd tube socket

[Randall]

I need to replace the 7 pin output tube sockets on a '73 Musicmaster amp. It has the large sized sockets with 3/4" hole and 1 1/4" screw holes. Can't find them anywhere, and don't want to kluge up an otherwise stock old Fender. Anyone have a source? I could live with different dimensions on the screw holes, but I want a proper sized socket hole. Thanks!

[J M Fahey]

Replacing tube sockets can hardly be called kludging.

Not if done by a proper tech (you).

I can imagine a thousand different horrors, including sockets hot melted in place, done by 5 thumbed amateurs, but it is not the case.

7 pin sockets aren't exactly abbundant, so I'd fit there the best available; "period correct cosmetics" being very low in the priority list.

To any customer worried about "collector's value" my stock answer is:
"it's not that valuable or you wouldn't have been able to afford it in the first place" .

[Leo_Gnardo]

To any customer worried about "collector's value" my stock answer is:
"it's not that valuable or you wouldn't have been able to afford it in the first place" .

Good one Juan! I'm gonna borrow that. Should work on everybody except the guy who found a '53 tweed Twin for $10.

Randall have you scanned Antique/CE catalog? Lots of old sockets, hope yours is there.

[Randall]

Yes, I have looked in all the right places. These have arc'd and burnt. They are for the larger sized holes. I'm trying to find a replacement that doesn't look bad. That does matter to some.

[km6xz]

If you can't find the rare sized socket you could increase the hole size and use a 7 pi socket that uses the octal size hole:
7 Pin Sockets Look 1/2 way down the page. You could also try the oldest neighborhood junk shop/TV repair shop. Phenolic sockets that size were used in a few places in late 50s era TVs

[oc disorder]

It's also possible to rejuvenate an old socket and have each terminal (individual tube pin grasp) cleaned and re-plated with nickel.
Had an old microphone containing a tube , and the physical demands of the mounted socket meant it had to be an exact replacement.
I removed the pins from the socket and scrubbed them as clean as I could finishing off with isopropyl alcohol.
Then soldered them as close together as I could either side of a reasonably heavy gauge solid wire ready for dipping.
Worked out great , only cost about 20 bucks .. problem now is the electro-plater shut up shop about a year ago !!

[Tom Phillips]

It's also possible to rejuvenate an old socket and have each terminal (individual tube pin grasp) cleaned and re-plated with nickel...

Also it is often possible to transfer the female socket inserts from another socket body. Even from a 9 pin socket.

Please post a photo of the socket you want to replace. I have a stash of such things harvested from old equipment.

[Randall]

So, the amp is done, retrofitted with newer, smaller sockets. Today on a lark I visit the Apex Jr surplus site.... he has the exact replacements for 59 cents each! Ouch!