New to tubes-how to handle? By the glass or base?

I agree with Jfrech. The only thing I do differently - and admittedly I'm a little AR about this - I don surgical gloves when handling the tubes. This sounds a bit extreme, but everyone's hands, no matter how clean, can leave behind an oily residue that adversely impacts the performance of the tubes. It gives you much greater control and reduces the likelihood that you might bend or break one of the pins. Or that the tube might slip and fall onto the floor.

Happy listening!