5U4 Shoulders or not

[kx250rider]

I still feel like there's a "limitless" supply of 5U4s of all types, and honestly I've found that the GBs are more likely to short than the G or GA types. It's only my own opinion though, and I'm sure many will disagree. I know that since they haven't made 5U4Gs for half a century or more, they must be diminishing. But still at every swap meet or garage sale where there is a box of tubes, there is most always a 5U4G or two.

As far as "high usage" restored TVs, I'd still go with the correct style, or why restore a TV in the first place. If you put a wrong-style 5U4 in it, that's along the same theory as putting a new aftermarket digital fuel injection system on a 1938 Cadillac; sure it will run better and get great MPGs, and you can get new sensors and parts for it, but for what purpose???

Charles