Top Mount or Bottom Mount sockets?

[lacrebob]

I've only built one amp and I think I used top mount sockets. I'm about to purchase some sockets and I'm curious why there is even a choice or preference for one style over the other.

I can only assume experienced builders have differing preferences.

Why build with top mount?

Why build with bottom mount?

[Gaz]

It's really just about aesthetic and personal preference. Bottom mount looks 'cleaner', but you really have to have a perfect mounting hole, as it's not hidden by the socket like when top-mounting.

[M Fowler]

I like the clean look of the bottom mount on amps but if your using tube shields then it can be top mount because it doesn't matter look wise.

[lacrebob]

the primary difference sounds like the location of the flange.

[M Fowler]

Yes the location of the flange on top or bottom or they can be mounted either way.

I use two different styles of Belton's 9 pin tube sockets that can be mounted either way. The third style I use has the tube shield with it.

I believe the octal tube sockets say top mount and bottom mount when you order them on-line.

Mark

[rp]

If you use a punch depending which way you use it you can either get a clean or not so clean hole, clean IIRC is with the cup on the business part, ie the top, but then it can mark even with tape if the chassis is brushed or nice. If you don't have a metric punch (Belton) the US equivalent is a little big, if you have a screw hole mishap you can always make the screw hole a touch bigger to get some play. Top mount hides the mishaps. Also top mount feels a little sturdier when pushing tubes into a new socket. The Beltons allow both ways so you can decide when you're all done. I tried both and gave up on bottom mount.

[David Root]

I've used both top and bottom. Bottom does look classier but the socket base and pins also protrude further into the chassis which may not be good in a shallow chassis. Also I agree top mount feels stouter putting the tubes in. Bear claw clamps seem to work fine both ways.

I guess on balance I prefer top mount for everything except looks.

I only use shield base noval sockets and I always top mount them on the chassis--didn't know you could do it the other way!

Slightly off-topic but does anyone have any experience with tweed Fender sockets, which use rubber grommets to mechanically isolate (sort of) the tube from the chassis? There seem to be precious few hi-def close up pix around of this, or original pix of the interior of tweeds in general for that matter. Specifically the 5E8A low power Twin.

[lacrebob]

Top mount it shall be. My first build sounds great, but the chassis is ugly, so I can't expect to improve much with regards to that at this point.