I've had good success going directly to manufacturers such as GE and explaining that the bulbs are for a museum. Sticking with known, domestic manufacturers will help on your quality issues. No matter what look for UL Listed bulbs. Many foreign manufacturers do not adhere to the same standards and quality suffers in exchange for low prices. GE by the way has an incandescent spot PAR38 MSP which is the correct designation for "Medium Side Prong" Lamps (sometimes referred to as a "Mine" or "Miner's" lamp because they were originally designed for "spark-proof" fixtures in mines). The PAR designation refers to "Parabolic Aluminized Reflector," or the Shape and Construction of the lamp and these are available in both indoor and outdoor types. The number '38' refers to the Diameter of the lamp in eights of an inch. This is a standard in the lighting industry. For example a florescent tube that is a T12 designation is a Tubular lamp and is 1 1/4" in diameter. Bear in mind that color rendering will vary greatly between manufacturers due to variations in materials and process. You also did not indicate if you are using Halogen, LED, or incandescent lamps which will also produce a very wide array of colors. Sylvania manufactures PAR38 MSP Halogen bulbs in floods only - better color rendering but limited application and harsh on collections. You'll likely find that MSP base bulbs are not available in a broad range or many sizes (PAR38 and 46 being the common ones). Not to take this too far but, depending on the fixtures you have, you may want to look at changing either the fixture or broadening the types of lamps you are using. In recessed cans you are pretty constrained to using the bulb that the designer sized the can for. If you are using track heads, sometimes it is not so obscene to use different size bulbs based upon your needs. Check your fixtures as well as some manufacturer's fixtures are adjustable for depth in order to accommodate different bulb styles and diameters. Good luck, Larry Fisher Museum Planning, Design, and Imagineering p: (401)965-7756 On 11/14/2011 11:25 AM, Curtis Morris wrote: > > Try 1000bulbs.com: > > http://www.1000bulbs.com/search/?q=mine+lamps&SearchButton.x=13&SearchButton.y=10 > <http://www.1000bulbs.com/search/?q=mine+lamps&SearchButton.x=13&SearchButton.y=10> > > They've been a great source for such of that nature. By the way, PAR > 38 lamps are regular screw-in base reflector bulbs. > > Curtis Morris > > ShilohMuseum > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > *From:*Daniel Lay [mailto:[log in to unmask]] > *Sent:* Monday, November 14, 2011 9:26 AM > *To:* [log in to unmask] > *Subject:* [MUSEUM-L] Side prong light bulbs > > Mornin' Listers, > > Anyone familiar with side prong bulbs? They're also called mine lamps > or PAR38. I'm looking for a good source to restock. > > There's a huge quality gap with these bulbs. Some brands put off > really shoddy beams or have poor color. We need both floods and spots. > It's pretty hard to find spotlights. > > Any thoughts? Man, I'd be so grateful if someone recommended a good > brand and supplier for these. Muchas gracias. > > -- > Daniel J. Lay > Preparator, Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art > 405.878.5606 > 1900 W. MacArthur > Shawnee, OK 74804 > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > To unsubscribe from the MUSEUM-L list, click the following link: > http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1 > <http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1> > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > To unsubscribe from the MUSEUM-L list, click the following link: > http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1 > <http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1> > ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).