murf
Not a piece of crap but a lot of parallel tubes. There are at least 4 tubes you could pull without making much difference.
http://www.nostalgiaair.org/pagesbymode ... 012746.pdf Distortion is usually caused by biasing of output tubes. Try measuring grid #1 (pin #3) in relation to filament (pin #1) on each 45 tube. Pin #3 must be around 40 volts negative.