OK, I'll stop typing big :D

>>>I didn't know that the safety glass was tinted on some of the CRTs. It makes the CRT fit in better with the cabinet, and keeps it from standing out when the set is turned off.>>

Probably the latter was the reason, to increase contrast when in brighter lighting conditions. That's all they could do back then besides boosting the brightness of the pic tubes...until they started coming out with phosphor dots with dark or black surrounding them to increase contrast.

FANTASTIC job Doug!!! Your sets always turn out so nice! I'm having some problems with my CTC-16, and I just e-mailed you for some advice. I don't know why EVERY set I get likes to SASS me with intermiitant problems. It's enough to drive me crazier than I am! LOL!