Ceramic Sockets?

[Structo]

It seems I read somewhere that ceramic tube sockets aren't the best to use in a guitar amp.
I believe it had something to do with microphonics or noise.
Can anybody expand on that?

They look heavy duty and some have gold plated pins, no good?

[Cliff Schecht]

I've never heard that one before.. Even the Chinese ceramic tube sockets work well. I use them all of the time in guitar amps without issue. The only potential problem I know of is if you drop the amp the sockets could crack. The solution to that is easy, don't drop your amps.

[M Fowler]

We had talked about not using the ceramic 9 pin sockets when building a TW Express but other that amp no problems with ceramic such as use in my K60.

Mark

[ChrisM]

I have had and heard of ceramic sockets going slightly conductive. I use Beltons like 90% people around here.

[David Root]

I used ceramic sockets in my very first (and embarrassing) little amp, and swore off them then. They chip easily and the exposed unglazed ceramic gets dirty and then they look like s**t.

I use Belton Micalex octals and also NOS Omron Japan black phenolics, those are a bargoon from Apex Jr. at $1.75 each, and they also have the double connection holes. I only use them about 420V and below, use the Beltons above that.

I have used the Belton micalex novals w/shield base, they are OK, but lately I have been lucky enough to pick up NOS Cinch, first from Lord Valve and lately from AES.

[M Fowler]

I use all belton currently I like them a lot better then any other sockets I have worked with.

Mark

[Gaz]

No issues with microphonics, but have had some crack when 'cranking' them down to the chassis - my fault really for being a brute.

I now prefer Beltons mainly because of the 2-hole solder lugs, so I don't have to turn the amp sideways to fill the lug with solder. I have had some frustration, however, with Belton tabs breaking off with even slight flexture. I don't even try to bend them at all any more.

[tubeswell]

I don't like the crappy limp-wristed pins on the chinese ceramic sockets. But other ceramics have better pins. FWIW most of the time I use Beltons, but I've used ceramic in a couple of builds, including a recent Weber kit, where the socket pins didn't seem too bad.

[Cliff Schecht]

No issues with microphonics, but have had some crack when 'cranking' them down to the chassis - my fault really for being a brute.

I now prefer Beltons mainly because of the 2-hole solder lugs, so I don't have to turn the amp sideways to fill the lug with solder. I have had some frustration, however, with Belton tabs breaking off with even slight flexture. I don't even try to bend them at all any more.

I've had the same problem with Belden 8-pin guys. Really a turnoff for me as I like to bend the pins around as needed for a neat lead dress. I have a good collection of old Cinch 9-pin sockets and a grab bag of 8-pins but for my personal builds, I use ceramic. I don't even think the chinese ones are so bad, they're cheap, they work well and they last.

[guitarmike2107]

I have never had a problem with ceramic sockets …

I have plenty Belton sockets about too but still use the Ceramics on my on builds.. Never had an issue with them

[PCollen]

I have the Chinese ceramic sockets in my amp, and I find that when inserting tubes into the pin sockets, which fit nice and tight around the tube pins, they often recess further in the socket and I've had to go to the underside of the socket and push the wired pin downward to get a better 'fit', fully engaged, around the tube pin.

[Andy Le Blanc]

Ive had just about every kind of socket fail in just about every way.
Ive experienced only one ceramic showing any weird conduction issue.
The Russian mil. ones seem best. Its the old phenolic you have to watch.
They'll arc over, on some really old ones the metal clips will rot.

Cheap crap comes in all types, and can travel through time to haunt the present.

Just don't go too cheap on your BOM, those old phenolic wafer sockets have
to be the worst, turn to dust right on the chassis.

[ChrisM]

I have the Chinese ceramic sockets in my amp, and I find that when inserting tubes into the pin sockets, which fit nice and tight around the tube pins, they often recess further in the socket and I've had to go to the underside of the socket and push the wired pin downward to get a better 'fit', fully engaged, around the tube pin.

Ah yes I have experienced this too. Kinda annoying.

[ToneMerc]

I now prefer Beltons mainly because of the 2-hole solder lugs, so I don't have to turn the amp sideways to fill the lug with solder. I have had some frustration, however, with Belton tabs breaking off with even slight flexture. I don't even try to bend them at all any more.

Same here, in my junk box I have 3 Belton octals with a lug busted off. If I didn't know any better I'll swear the lug material is too soft. By the same token NOS Amphenols with the exact same style of lug I can twist them like a pretzel.

TM

[ToneMerc]

I now prefer Beltons mainly because of the 2-hole solder lugs, so I don't have to turn the amp sideways to fill the lug with solder. I have had some frustration, however, with Belton tabs breaking off with even slight flexture. I don't even try to bend them at all any more.

Same here, in my junk box I have 3 Belton octals with a lug busted off. If I didn't know any better I'll swear the lug material is too soft. By the same token NOS Amphenols with the exact same style of lug I can twist them like a pretzel.

TM