Stupid bakelite question

[DaveWM]

IHMO the best way to discharge a CRT is with a HV probe. You need one often enough in workign on sets to warrant buying one. Once you have it you can use it to verify the CRT charge status. they are designed to be insulated properly against high voltage. Touch the bell with the HV prob (with the ground attached) and check the voltage or any residual charge. Leave it attached for a min or two as the charge can recover.

With a metal bell crt the CRT does not have the same built in capacitance (internal dag glass bell external dag). But the bell may be attached to an anode lead with a door knob cap in the HV cage OR the the metal bell may have a plastic shell that has a conductive coating on the outside again forming a cap.