Dougs 9-pin socket ?

[worth]

I've never used this type of socket.. do I ground the center pin ?

[EL34]

No
The center pin is not a pin
It's not hooked to anything

It can be used as a post if you really need a place for several items to meet.

[Willabe]

Hi tennessee,

That's a good question IMO. I've wonderd about that as some have and some have not. I think it's used as a tie/wiring/turret point, but I wonder if it is sometimes used in other ways, like connecting it to ground to use it as a shield.

          Thanks       Brad       

[PRR]

In TV tuner work, you ground that and jump all bypasses right TO it for minimum lead length.

In audio work, you can ignore it or maybe use it for a tie-point.

[stingray_65]

Or cut it off with your dikes!

I thought what great idea! I'll tie my grid stopper there!

but my heater wires wanted to pass right there too!

I tend to run my heaters vertical.

SO out with the dikes, off with the lug and add the 3 lug strip under the nut holding the socket down as I always did.

I have a bunch of salvaged Amphenol octals that have a ring of 4 ground lugs, Haven't used one yet. Might be OK on a recto tube, but I've had great luck with following the same ground scheme and heater wiring techniques that I'm afraid to try something different.

just my take

Ray