Western Electric 300 B Vacuum tubes

Yep. All good. Bluish light on the lower plate to start up the tube. After the suggestion to call WE, I was assured my tubes were A-OK. (Coby was great to talk to)

@moose89 I’ve been doing this stuff for over 45 years. That’s a new one on me.

FWIW, usually anything other than the filament being lit and a light blue glow just on the inside of the glass when running, any ’lights’ or other phenomena inside a tube suggest a Bad Thing is about to happen or will happen soon. If you have another tube that isn’t doing this while this on is, that says to me that a Bad Thing is looming.

@atmasphere 

I would have to say it’s clear, like a mucus looking bit…for a brief bit…then poof…gone

@moose89 What color is the 'vapor' (BTW its not actually a vapor but it is caused by molecules in the tube)? If bluish, no concern.

I've not had this with my WE 300B's, but it seems a quick call or email to WE might have been useful, too; these are under a long warranty, after all. 

From Dennis Had:

Dave, this is completely normal No problem whatsoever. I believe the western electric website I think there’s an article about it.
Have a great day and enjoy the music 
Dennis 

It appears for ten seconds as a small swirl, then burns off. 

Agreed. That sounds like a problem waiting to happen.

A vacuum is the absence of any vapor.  it is invisible.  I don't know what you are seeing, and maybe people familiar with this tube can tell you what it is, but I know that normal is to see noting inside but clear nothingness.

Jerry

I've owned a 300b amp, and never saw any sort of condensation. I do think it could be a problem in the future. I would call the dealer you bought them from. That's a lot of money!