Abstract: A socket for mounting a cathode ray tube having a plurality of conductive contact elements disposed about the neck thereof comprises a housing defining a central aperture extending therethrough for receipt of the tube neck, spaced conductive contacts mounted on the housing with first end portions adjacent to the central aperture for engagement with the conductive contact elements disposed about the tube neck, and a removable plug extending across and substantially completely obstructing the central aperture intermediate the first contact end portions and the plane of the housing front surface. The removable plug blocks the passage of solder from the front of the central aperture to the first contact end portions during soldering of the second contact end portions to a printed circuit board (thus preventing short circuiting of the first contact end portions), but is easily removable from the housing to enable passage of a tube neck through the central aperture.