Losing right channel

[denti alligator]

My right channel was out today and all it took was lightly moving the tube toward the batteries. I switched tubes and the same thing happened. Is this something I should worry about? It's fine, I guess, unless I bump the tube when switching it on and off.

 

[earwaxxer]

ck your contacts. Probably a loose solder.

 

[denti alligator]

I'll do that, but I can't imagine barely bumping the tube would be related to a bad solder joint.

 

[Paul Joppa]

I'll do that, but I can't imagine barely bumping the tube would be related to a bad solder joint.

Each pin is gripped by it's socket contact, fairly tightly (unless the socket is worn from too much tube swapping!). The socket contact moves fairly freely, so the solder lug also moves. If that joint is more mechanical than by mutual solder flow - practically the definition of a cold solder joint - then moving the tube will easily move the wire connection.

 

[the dude]

I've had dying D battery do this too. Also different tubes draw different current and where one tube works with x battery, another tube will fade/not work w same battery.
I have RCA tubes that sound GREAT with my BlueNotes, but they EAT D Cells.
The Westinghouse tubes that came w my kit [My Favorites], last much longer.
/.02
paul

 

[denti alligator]

The right channel is acting up again. Distortion and dropping out. The socket lug of B6 is loose. Yeah, they all have a little give, but this one is really loose. I had resoldered the connections last time, but that's not what's causing the problem, I don't think. If I push the tube to the right while it's in its socket I get sound, otherwise it's distorted or going out.

Do I need a new socket?

 

[denti alligator]

Never mind. I think I just needed new batteries  :

Because it was only the right channel that was affected, I assumed it was the same problem I was having before. And yes, that socket is looser than the other, but I guess it's fine.