[Reece]

Not that I've done it, but it just occurred to me a way to easily replace a tube base: add extension wires the way Bob did, but make them different lengths. Start with a longish one, then next one in line a little shorter and so around the whole base. Thread in the long one first, easy. Then the next longest, and so around the base. Easier than trying to get all of them the same length in at once. Finally trim off the excess and solder.