BulbCollector Forums

BULB DISCUSSION BOARDS => Christmas Lighting => Topic started by: Tom on October 11, 2009, 07:37:07 pm

Title: Pear shaped C-7's
Post by: Tom on October 11, 2009, 07:37:07 pm

I remember C-7 Christmas lights being pear shaped until recent years, and wondered what others thought about this.  I would like 2 c the manufacturers go back 2 making them pear shaped.

Title: Re: Pear shaped C-7's
Post by: Tom on November 28, 2009, 09:04:05 am

Whether C7's are pear shaped or not, can anyone tell me the names of the stores where I can buy them, especially the twinkle variety?  Thank you.

Title: Re: Pear shaped C-7's
Post by: Tim on November 28, 2009, 10:41:50 am

Pear shaped or cone shaped?  Do you have any pictures, or links to pictures of such a lamp?

When I think of pear shaped "C7" lamps (a confusing and incorrect term in this context, but I assume you mean candelabra based), lamps like this come to mind:

http://bulbcollector.com/gateway/Incandescent_Lamps/Christmas/image/xl0013.jpg

I don't ever remember seeing lamps like the above offered recently, but then again I'm not really up on modern Christmas lighting.

Title: Re: Pear shaped C-7's
Post by: Tom on November 28, 2009, 12:59:59 pm

Sorry if my description was confusing.  However, here's a page from a website by a Christmas light collector which shows the lights that appear, to me anyway, pear-shaped:
http://yulelights.com/page2/twinklebrt.htm

Title: Re: Pear shaped C-7's
Post by: Yulelights76 on November 28, 2009, 10:38:29 pm

The page you cite shows G.E. bulbs which were narrower near the base compared to NOMA bulbs. Westinghouse bulbs were also made in the same shape.  As Tim mentions A refers to the standard "pear shape" bulb envelope - these are used in bubble lights, while C refers to the cone shape.
The bulbs you buy today aren't really cone or pear shape they're more like oval shaped.
The G.E. light strings from 1960s with metal clips would only accept G.E. or Westinghouse brand bulbs. Other brands wouldn't make contact in the socket due to the wider shape of the bulb. I don't know if this was on purpose or by accident.