[BenWA]

I got an email reply from the guy saying basically "sure!" to bringing by the tubes for free testing. I have the chassis totally out of the cabinet now... maybe I'll just take the whole thing for him to see. Then I can get all the tubes tested by pulling one at a time. Perhaps he'll also be able to help diagnose the problem if the tubes somehow check out all good, since he's most likely an antique radio hobbyist also based on his website.

I figured out to unplug the speaker cable (it's in HORRIBLE shape with bare wire showing! I need to redo that ASAP!) and I ended up cutting 4 long, small wires but I marked them with black marker in such a way I know which was which. It 's old original wiring that needs replacing anyway due to insulation deterioration, like the speaker wires are.

I have done extensive repair and new wiring in my camper van so I'm comfortable with that aspect of this work.