Schoeps Tubes ... Opinions on Pics Showing Guts

[scb]

It's a glass bulb, what harm could you possibly do by touching it?

oils:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exploding_light_bulb

[stevetoney]

It's a glass bulb, what harm could you possibly do by touching it? Interesting that those threads all relate to instrument amps. I don't read those boards anymore, just hi-fi boards, so maybe that's why I've never seen this issue before.

Yeah, I know.  I've wondered what the big deal was too because I've never really heard someone say, well the tube was handled and that's what led to a failure (it's not to say that it doesn't happen...I've just never heard it but admittedly it's not a subject that I've researched.).  If I were to bet, I'd be willing to bet that the issue is an urban legend brought forward from a time long ago when perhaps it mattered on some brands of tubes. 

Nevertheless, I think the issue is that the tubes get really hot and the residual oils left from handling (the same residue that leaves a fingerprint on the glass) bakes on the exterior surface of the glass and for some tubes that can be a failure mechanism. 

[H₂O]

I sleep with my tubes under my pillow 

[Tim]

thanks for the links Scott and Steve

could be too that hi-fi guys rotate out tubes more often that guitar players so tube life/longevity is less of an issue. I have a few sets around the house for use depending on what mood I'm in. I don't think guitar players do that much swapping out.