Discussion:
Songbird triode - rare?
(too old to reply)
Bill Jeffrey
2003-10-14 17:16:02 UTC
Permalink
I have a chance to buy a neat looking tube. It looks like a WD-11,
full-silvered inside, no evacuation tip. Four short brass pins, one
bayonet pin on the side of the base. The base (below the glass) is
thick black plasitc, with four evenly-spaced up-and-down ridges. I
cannot see a type marking anywhere on the glass or the base, but there
is a paper (apparently) label that says "Songbird Detector & Amplifier",
and a picture of a bird. Filament tests good, a handwritten note with
it says it is a 3-volt filament (or at least uses a series pair of dry
cells). Asking price is $65.

Question 1 - I don't know anything about this tube. I would welcome som
einfo, including web links (Google turned up nothing ...)
Question 2 - obviously, should I buy it? Are they rare or common?

Thanks

Bill Jeffrey
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Syl
2003-10-14 17:38:25 UTC
Permalink
"Bill Jeffrey" wrote in message
Post by Bill Jeffrey
I have a chance to buy a neat looking tube. It looks like a WD-11,
full-silvered inside, no evacuation tip. Four short brass pins, one
bayonet pin on the side of the base. The base (below the glass) is
thick black plasitc, with four evenly-spaced up-and-down ridges. I
cannot see a type marking anywhere on the glass or the base, but there
is a paper (apparently) label that says "Songbird Detector & Amplifier",
and a picture of a bird. Filament tests good, a handwritten note with
it says it is a 3-volt filament (or at least uses a series pair of dry
cells). Asking price is $65.
Question 1 - I don't know anything about this tube. I would welcome som
einfo, including web links (Google turned up nothing ...)
Question 2 - obviously, should I buy it? Are they rare or common?
Thanks
Bill Jeffrey
There was a Songbird Radio Tube (200a) that sold on ebay for 9$
about 3 weeks ago. Sounds like what you are describing.
I was about to buy it but changed my mind after I asked for info about it
here...

Syl


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Bill Jeffrey
2003-10-14 17:57:08 UTC
Permalink
Thanks, Syl. I dug up the auction you mentioned. The item there was a
Songbird globe 227, and it went for $1.88! Anyway, different tube. On
the one I am looking at, the bulb has straight sides, the bulb is maybe
1-1/2" high x 1" diameter, the plastic base is at least another inch
high and quite a bit thicker than on a standard globe 27.

BTW, I have a Songbird WD-11, which at 2" has a taller bulb than the
tube I am looking at today.

Bill
======================
Post by Syl
"Bill Jeffrey" wrote in message
Post by Bill Jeffrey
I have a chance to buy a neat looking tube. It looks like a WD-11,
full-silvered inside, no evacuation tip. Four short brass pins, one
bayonet pin on the side of the base. The base (below the glass) is
thick black plasitc, with four evenly-spaced up-and-down ridges. I
cannot see a type marking anywhere on the glass or the base, but there
is a paper (apparently) label that says "Songbird Detector & Amplifier",
and a picture of a bird. Filament tests good, a handwritten note with
it says it is a 3-volt filament (or at least uses a series pair of dry
cells). Asking price is $65.
Question 1 - I don't know anything about this tube. I would welcome som
einfo, including web links (Google turned up nothing ...)
Question 2 - obviously, should I buy it? Are they rare or common?
Thanks
Bill Jeffrey
There was a Songbird Radio Tube (200a) that sold on ebay for 9$
about 3 weeks ago. Sounds like what you are describing.
I was about to buy it but changed my mind after I asked for info about it
here...
Syl
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Syl
2003-10-14 18:21:07 UTC
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Post by Bill Jeffrey
Thanks, Syl. I dug up the auction you mentioned. The item there was a
Songbird globe 227, and it went for $1.88! Anyway, different tube.
Bill,

I know the difference. At least give me this credit...8oP

eBay has quirks sometimes, it was a 200a, songbird and it went for 9$
I just had a look at it last week before trashing the link. I'll post when
I find it.

regards,
Syl


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Alan Douglas
2003-10-14 22:35:12 UTC
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Hi,
Sounds like a '99 in a UV base; they were sold for converting 01A
sets to dry cell supply. Not particularly useful now.

Songbird was the trade name for W.T. Grant five-and-dime stores.

Cheers, Alan
Bill Jeffrey
2003-10-15 13:05:10 UTC
Permalink
Post by Syl
Bill,
I know the difference. At least give me this credit...8oP
Certainly didn't mean to offend, Syl, it was just the only completed
Songbird tube auction I could find.

Anyway, thanks for the help. Whatever it is I am looking at is probably
worth no more (dollar-wise or interest-wise) than a WD-11. In fact, it
may very well be a WD-11. So I'll let it go.

Bill
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Syl
2003-10-15 15:43:55 UTC
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"Bill Jeffrey" wrote in message
Post by Bill Jeffrey
Anyway, thanks for the help. Whatever it is I am looking at is probably
worth no more (dollar-wise or interest-wise) than a WD-11. In fact, it
may very well be a WD-11. So I'll let it go.
Invest in globe 45s, they are a sure value...[grin]

Oh well...

Syl


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Syl
2003-10-14 18:37:43 UTC
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Post by Bill Jeffrey
Thanks, Syl. I dug up the auction you mentioned. The item there was a
Songbird globe 227, and it went for $1.88! Anyway, different tube. On
the one I am looking at, the bulb has straight sides, the bulb is maybe
1-1/2" high x 1" diameter, the plastic base is at least another inch
high and quite a bit thicker than on a standard globe 27.
BTW, I have a Songbird WD-11, which at 2" has a taller bulb than the
tube I am looking at today.
Bill
======================
Here's the auction;

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14947&item=2559537098

Unfortunately, looking at the picture isn't what you are looking for...

Even with all the correct data (except auction ID), eBay won't find the
auction. Had to dig up
in my browser's history...weird.

Syl


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Robert Casey
2003-10-14 20:38:38 UTC
Permalink
The paper label could have been printed and applied by anyone.
A local service shop, or distributor, or more lately someone wanting
to create "rare antiques" with a newly printed old looking label.

And the label may be pasted over the tube designator number,
so it may well be a WD11 that someone dressed up. Back then
or lately.....

So unless you can find real evidence that "Songbird" was a
significant company from back then, I wouldn't pay more than
what a generic WD11 would be worth....
Mike Schultz
2003-10-14 21:35:04 UTC
Permalink
Songbird was one of hundreds of independent tube makers that flourished in
the 20's. I'm not sure whether their tubes were bootlegs or legitimate
(depends on whether they paid RCA patent royalties). Anyway, what you
describe can't be a WD-11, which never had a bayonet pin. It is almost
certainly a WD-12 equivalent, which is the same as the WD-11 but with a
standard UV base. I have seen several WD-12's with the base you describe
(other brands, though). It is not a 3 volt tube-the handwritten note is
wrong. The quoted price is very high, IMHO.

--
Mike Schultz (My humble website http://uv201.com)
Post by Bill Jeffrey
I have a chance to buy a neat looking tube. It looks like a WD-11,
full-silvered inside, no evacuation tip. Four short brass pins, one
bayonet pin on the side of the base. The base (below the glass) is
thick black plasitc, with four evenly-spaced up-and-down ridges. I
cannot see a type marking anywhere on the glass or the base, but there
is a paper (apparently) label that says "Songbird Detector & Amplifier",
and a picture of a bird. Filament tests good, a handwritten note with
it says it is a 3-volt filament (or at least uses a series pair of dry
cells). Asking price is $65.
Question 1 - I don't know anything about this tube. I would welcome som
einfo, including web links (Google turned up nothing ...)
Question 2 - obviously, should I buy it? Are they rare or common?
Thanks
Bill Jeffrey
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Outgoing mail is automatically scanned by Norton Anti-Virus
Mike Schultz
2003-10-14 22:24:02 UTC
Permalink
Here's some pictures of an Airtron WD-12. Is this what you mean?

Loading Image...
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--
Mike Schultz (My humble website http://uv201.com)
Post by Mike Schultz
Songbird was one of hundreds of independent tube makers that flourished in
the 20's. I'm not sure whether their tubes were bootlegs or legitimate
(depends on whether they paid RCA patent royalties). Anyway, what you
describe can't be a WD-11, which never had a bayonet pin. It is almost
certainly a WD-12 equivalent, which is the same as the WD-11 but with a
standard UV base. I have seen several WD-12's with the base you describe
(other brands, though). It is not a 3 volt tube-the handwritten note is
wrong. The quoted price is very high, IMHO.
--
Mike Schultz (My humble website http://uv201.com)
Post by Bill Jeffrey
I have a chance to buy a neat looking tube. It looks like a WD-11,
full-silvered inside, no evacuation tip. Four short brass pins, one
bayonet pin on the side of the base. The base (below the glass) is
thick black plasitc, with four evenly-spaced up-and-down ridges. I
cannot see a type marking anywhere on the glass or the base, but there
is a paper (apparently) label that says "Songbird Detector & Amplifier",
and a picture of a bird. Filament tests good, a handwritten note with
it says it is a 3-volt filament (or at least uses a series pair of dry
cells). Asking price is $65.
Question 1 - I don't know anything about this tube. I would welcome som
einfo, including web links (Google turned up nothing ...)
Question 2 - obviously, should I buy it? Are they rare or common?
Thanks
Bill Jeffrey
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Outgoing mail is automatically scanned by Norton Anti-Virus
Bill Jeffrey
2003-10-15 13:10:54 UTC
Permalink
That's it, including the tilted bulb, the four ridges on the plastic
base, and the thing that looks like a hex nut at the top of each pin.
Different label, of course - smaller, and applied so it spans the gap
joint between the glass bulb and the plastic base.

Thanks, Mike

Bill Jeffrey
===============================
Post by Mike Schultz
Here's some pictures of an Airtron WD-12. Is this what you mean?
http://www.uv201.com/misc/wd12-1.jpg
http://www.uv201.com/misc/wd12-2.jpg
--
Mike Schultz (My humble website http://uv201.com)
Post by Mike Schultz
Songbird was one of hundreds of independent tube makers that flourished in
the 20's. I'm not sure whether their tubes were bootlegs or legitimate
(depends on whether they paid RCA patent royalties). Anyway, what you
describe can't be a WD-11, which never had a bayonet pin. It is almost
certainly a WD-12 equivalent, which is the same as the WD-11 but with a
standard UV base. I have seen several WD-12's with the base you describe
(other brands, though). It is not a 3 volt tube-the handwritten note is
wrong. The quoted price is very high, IMHO.
--
Mike Schultz (My humble website http://uv201.com)
Post by Bill Jeffrey
I have a chance to buy a neat looking tube. It looks like a WD-11,
full-silvered inside, no evacuation tip. Four short brass pins, one
bayonet pin on the side of the base. The base (below the glass) is
thick black plasitc, with four evenly-spaced up-and-down ridges. I
cannot see a type marking anywhere on the glass or the base, but there
is a paper (apparently) label that says "Songbird Detector & Amplifier",
and a picture of a bird. Filament tests good, a handwritten note with
it says it is a 3-volt filament (or at least uses a series pair of dry
cells). Asking price is $65.
Question 1 - I don't know anything about this tube. I would welcome som
einfo, including web links (Google turned up nothing ...)
Question 2 - obviously, should I buy it? Are they rare or common?
Thanks
Bill Jeffrey
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Terry Schwartz
2003-10-14 23:19:39 UTC
Permalink
I recently came across a Songbird radio battery... hefty unit, nice label
graphics.


Terry S -- Collector specializing in (but not limited to) 30's - 50's plastic
radios
Proud owner --> 1977 Triumph Bonneville
Shoreview MN
See my radios at: http://members.aol.com/tschw10117/mypage.htm
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