Phonoland

I have a Seeburg Tube I received with one of our Juke Boxes.

On the base of the tube it says “Made In USA For Seeburg” and “63-26”. On the glass it says “S342”. It has 8 pins. I believe this is a 2050 tube but I am not sure as the #2050s are nowhere on the tube!

Can anyone identify this tube for me?

Thank you
Darrell

Hi Darrell,
What you have is a "private label" tube. It just happens to have been labeled "Seeburg"--it could say anything else, including "rival" brand names. Usually they will say made in the USA for xxx company by RCA ( or GE, or whomever made it) The number is stamped on the glass, somewhere--however in this case, it has probably "rubbed off". SOMETIMES, if you carefully breath on the glass and 'fog it" a bit, the number will show up--other wise, unless you "know tubes", it's very hard to tell --Ron Rich

Thanks Ron. I have attached a picture of the tube and feel that it is a 2050 that I was told was still working but was weak. I think I have kept it around in case another one gives out.

Darrell

Darrell,
Shoot me a photo of the top of the tube--looks like a 2050---
Ron

Darrell, that is a 2050. I've seen dozens of those w/Seeburg branding, Most were made by RCA.

Rob/NYC

Thanks Rob.

Rich Rob seems sure, but, I have attached a picture of the top of the tube for you to see.

Thanks to all
Darrell

Darrell,
I was sure too---but that's not what I wanted the pix for--my experience has shown me that tube has about 1/2 life left. I can judge this from the top of the tube, noting construction, and darkness of the glass-- Ron Rich

R&R

Thanks, I have the tube marked as 1/2 life 2050

Ron no doubt has a calibrated eye and it's true that some blackening of the mica support at the top occurs as the tube ages, the only visual test that I have found reliable is to observe it under conduction.

Place it in a pre-LPC trip and observe the top center when the mech trips at end/reject of a record. A strong tube will glow deep violet, a weak one will be sky blue and those in between will sometimes sputter a bit.

These tubes in trip service are right up against their max ratings and most tube testers aren't capable of accurate tests.

I'm glad I don't have to deal with thyratrons anymore.

Rob

R&R

Thanks for all the help. One last question of 2050 tubes. I notice there are 2050 tubes and 2050A tubes. What is the signifgance of the "A" on the tubes and is one preferrable voer the other?

Darrell

Darrell,
There are both "A" and "B" versions of the tube---just later "re-designs" --In the case of most tubes, they are interchangeable--However there are some cases, when it is not wise to use an older tube in a slot, calling for a newer version.
Ron Rich