Hoping for insight

[Cowpunk]

I have been part of this board for a while and have been amazed how much I can learn from every one and to this point haven't had to post anything. Until now. I have been wanting to try the tube amp thing for a while but haven't been able to pull the trigger on a head, due to the cost.
I ran across a Traynor YBA 200-2 that a player in the area had for a little over a dollar a watt. Tried it and bought it, it works good, no problems but when I got it home and took it into practice, I noticed something real small rattling around inside.
Long story shortened (somewhat), I found four small plastic pieces inside, really didn't want to just poke around and encounter any charged caps, so I'm hoping some one that's familiar can tell me what these are and then I can decide what to do so I can feel a little more confident using this. Thanks in advance

 

[rufus.K]

My my, those are interesting little bits.

 

[basscooker]

Gremlin droppings?

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

I have been part of this board for a while and have been amazed how much I can learn from every one and to this point haven't had to post anything. Until now. I have been wanting to try the tube amp thing for a while but haven't been able to pull the trigger on a head, due to the cost.
I ran across a Traynor YBA 200-2 that a player in the area had for a little over a dollar a watt. Tried it and bought it, it works good, no problems but when I got it home and took it into practice, I noticed something real small rattling around inside.
Long story shortened (somewhat), I found four small plastic pieces inside, really didn't want to just poke around and encounter any charged caps, so I'm hoping some one that's familiar can tell me what these are and then I can decide what to do so I can feel a little more confident using this. Thanks in advance

Is the amp still working like it should?

 

[Passinwind]

They appear to be the tube alignment keyway pins. There's an aftermarket fix for replacement without chucking the tubes, let's ping @beans-on-toast.

 

[Jim Carr]

They appear to be the tube alignment keyway pins. There's an aftermarket fix for replacement without chucking the tubes, let's ping @beans-on-toast.

Tube keyway pins, but "unslotted?" Anyway that's what I though too, but no orientation ridge. Weird.

 

[Fe911]

I think the ridge is hidden in the picture, that's my guess. I've glued them back into the tubes before. But, usually only one...

 

[Jim Carr]

I think the ridge is hidden in the picture, that's my guess. I've glued them back into the tubes before. But, usually only one...

The fact there are 4 is probably an indicator—the amp has 4 power tubes—KT-88's I think.

 

[Cowpunk]

Thanks for the answers! I never thought about keyway pins for the power tubes, I pulled the power tubes, when I looked inside and I'm sure that the tubes that were there had pins. The amp works fine, so far..... It's always interesting when you buy used stuff! Maybe those are from the previous power tubes. It's obviously been re tubed.

 

[B-string]

If a monkey rocked the tubes too hard when removing them they could have broken off. If they remained in the socket a new tube would just push them through the bottom.

Invalid Link Removed still easily usable. Link is a package of four $10. plus shipping.

 

[two fingers]

Insight isn't what we do here. That's down the hall second door on the left.

Seriously, glad you got your answer. How's the amp sound?

 

[Cowpunk]

I am so impressed in the knowledge on this forum, I have been playing for quite a while and this is the first place that I have been able to get reliable information from real players. That doesn't happen much around my area here. I think what B String said is what happened.(thanks for the link) Good news is there seems to be no problem with the amp, and it seems to work okay. It seems to sound good although I need to learn how to use these features. The only tube amp I've ever used was my first one, a small Alamo combo, different animal completely. And that was a while ago.

 

[BassmanPaul]

When I run into something like this I use Crazy Glue to put them back on. Match the breakage lines up to mate the tube to it’s correct’d spigot and a spot of glue keeps it there.