Tube debris

[Curbdog]

I have a really nice sounding pair of NOS 7591A tubes, and recently I noticed that one of them had a rattle - something was rattling around inside the tube. I was really bummed, and thought the tube was history, but it still sounded good. I was eventually able to bring the little object into view within the tube envelope, and it is actually not metal, but a small roundish piece of glass, as far as I can tell. Is this tube un-usable, or do I have nothing to worry about? It would seem to me that as long as this is a piece of glass and not metal, it is non-conductive, and it may not be a problem. Of course, I suppose it does have the potential to damage other structures in the tube, because there is no keeping it in one place. Thoughts?

[Structo]

Heck if it sounds good and isn't microphonic, I wouldn't sweat it.

Play on!

But you should always have a backup set of power tubes if possible.

Is this an Ampeg amp?

[boots]

I've seen a lot of tubes with little flakes of mica floating around in them, probably fragments of the mica insulators that hold the elements in place. It doesn't seem to cause any problems. As long as the tube works and sounds good, I wouldn't hesitate to use it.

[Curbdog]

Is this an Ampeg amp - kind of? It is a clone of a Sano Excelsior. I bought the Sano amp on eBAy, and was so impressed with the sound, and true point-to-point layout on terminal strips, that I built a clone that fits in the same cabinet, which is in great shape. My clone sounds even better !

[boots]

Curbdog, I don't know how rare 7591's are, but I know where you can find a pair.

I have a pair of pulls from a Hammond organ. I don't have a way to test them, but all the other tubes I pulled from that organ have been real winners.