Pigtail Neons :)

[Art]

Second example won't do anything to spikes, it just prevent transistor from negative voltage.
I think that mosfet would be best solution. Because it have zener diode between source and drain.
You can also make RCD clamp, like this
http://m.eet.com/media/1055546/C0541-Figure4.gif

Will a P-Channel MOSFET directly replace the MJE3055?
http://www.jaycar.com.au/products_uploaded/ZT-2467.pdf

Note this schematic has no protection diodes at all.

[pedja089]

N channel mosfet will replace MJE3055... But you need one with logic level gate, to be able to drive them directly from pic output.
EDIT:
This might be helpful
http://www.dos4ever.com/flyback/flyback.html

[Art]

It looks like IRF540N then. It has 1-4Volt gate.. I could use a resistor on the pic output because it is 5 Volts.

[Art]

Well IRF540N works but it's only back to square one.
I'm still getting zapped if I put my fingers across the MOSFETs.

[pedja089]

That is ok, you can leave everything as is.
Zener in that mosfet have 100V breakdown voltage, so when you touch 100V...
That diode will protect transistor from both positive and negative spikes.

[Art]

Ok, thanks.
It's a software relay switch and indicators for an amplifier,
and later should be able to monitor some voltages as well.

[pedja089]

Nice project
I never got chance to play with valves...