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 Help Identifying Radiogram please
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 Return to top of page · Post #: 1 · Written at 2:29:16 PM on 30 July 2016.
OldNerd's Gravatar
 Location: Maitland, NSW
 Member since 16 May 2014
 Member #: 1574
 Postcount: 19

Wondering if anyone can help me identify the unit in the photo.

the chassis had no marks on it I can find.
there are several valves missing
there is no branding on the cabinet
I have spent several hours looking at images on the interwebs and cant find a match (which means you will find it first hit)

Electrically it is in a very bad way, but it just looks so gorgeous I had to have it (the price was 'right' as well)

The speaker is an Amplion (at least that what I think it says)

ANY information would be great.

Very much appreciated in advance..

Unknown Console Radio


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 2 · Written at 3:59:27 PM on 30 July 2016.
GTC's avatar
 GTC
 Location: Sydney, NSW
 Member since 28 January 2011
 Member #: 823
 Postcount: 6687

there are several valves missing

Let us know what's still there. No guarantee they're correct for that set, but they may help shorten the candidate list.

Also, is there a brand name or other marking on the gram turntable?

Presumably photos coming?


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 3 · Written at 7:19:59 PM on 30 July 2016.
Brad's avatar
 Administrator
 Location: Naremburn, NSW
 Member since 15 November 2005
 Member #: 1
 Postcount: 7302

Photo uploaded.

This is a typical 1932-3 era console radio that was available from department stores. They were mostly made by the big companies and sometimes had no brand name at all or they came with a house brand, usually some gothic-sounding name that came into the store manager's head at the time.

Amplion did indeed make console speakers at this time.


‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
A valve a day keeps the transistor away...

 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 4 · Written at 11:29:42 PM on 30 July 2016.
GTC's avatar
 GTC
 Location: Sydney, NSW
 Member since 28 January 2011
 Member #: 823
 Postcount: 6687

So, it's not a radiogram, just a console.

A rear view showing the chassis could be useful.

(What's on top of it in that photo?)


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 5 · Written at 9:39:35 AM on 31 July 2016.
Robbbert's avatar
 Location: Hill Top, NSW
 Member since 18 September 2015
 Member #: 1801
 Postcount: 2015

Yes, need photos of the chassis from the back, the top, and underneath. The more, the better.

Plus a list of whatever valves are left.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 6 · Written at 8:54:26 PM on 31 July 2016.
OldNerd's Gravatar
 Location: Maitland, NSW
 Member since 16 May 2014
 Member #: 1574
 Postcount: 19

OK Sending some more photos of the chassis tonight in the hope it helps.

I removed it today and came very close to weeping when I saw the true state of it..{I don't actually think it is in my skill set to repair it Sad }. So I probably don't need ti know things like a schematic, I'm almost content with knowing its from the 1930's (but if you know more I would still love to know)

and YES, it is a console not a radiogram [so I have learnt something since posting at least, thanks GTC]

The only two valves left are a '57' and a '58' [which to my mind fits in with Brads comment].

The are located on the right hand edge of the 'top down' photo (under the two covers with top 'tips' just protruding), the 57 was in the middle, the 58 was in the front.

Huge THANKS so far guys.

Unknown Console Radio
Unknown Console Radio
Unknown Console Radio
Unknown Console Radio


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 7 · Written at 9:31:46 PM on 31 July 2016.
Marcc's avatar
 Location: Wangaratta, VIC
 Member since 21 February 2009
 Member #: 438
 Postcount: 5254

57 and 58 were common "front end" valves in the "Autodyne" aka "Screen Grid" Superheterodyne radios of the early thirties.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 8 · Written at 12:04:00 AM on 1 August 2016.
Robbbert's avatar
 Location: Hill Top, NSW
 Member since 18 September 2015
 Member #: 1801
 Postcount: 2015

We can be certain then, that one of the missing valves will be a type 80.

Depends how many others are missing as to guessing the rest.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 9 · Written at 2:54:00 AM on 1 August 2016.
Tallar Carl's avatar
 Location: Latham, ACT
 Member since 21 February 2015
 Member #: 1705
 Postcount: 2155

I have always thought that considering the cabinet is in such nice order then 80% of the job is done so dont get too down hearted about it. This just means its a steeper learning curve. You may have to find some one to restore it for you or teach you how to do it.I happen to be lucky enough to know a gentleman that is kind enough to teach me and I feel very lucky. This is a awesome looking radio and is worth the effort.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 10 · Written at 9:04:28 PM on 1 August 2016.
JamieLee's Gravatar
 Location: Clare, SA
 Member since 27 March 2016
 Member #: 1894
 Postcount: 510

Yes I agree with Tallar Carl, it's a gorgeous radio, very much worth the effort, your patience will be rewarded! It will all come together, these things take time and the guys here on this forum are amazing. Good project you have there!


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 11 · Written at 10:42:07 PM on 1 August 2016.
Brad's avatar
 Administrator
 Location: Naremburn, NSW
 Member since 15 November 2005
 Member #: 1
 Postcount: 7302

Photos are uploaded to Post 6.


‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
A valve a day keeps the transistor away...

 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 12 · Written at 11:07:18 PM on 1 August 2016.
GTC's avatar
 GTC
 Location: Sydney, NSW
 Member since 28 January 2011
 Member #: 823
 Postcount: 6687

As was said in post #5, a rear view and an underneath view (of the chassis) would also be helpful.

The more visual clues you can give us the better the chances of a positive identification.

So far, we don't have a lot to go on. The dial is generic. As Brad said this is probably a house brand set, and they can be the most difficult to identify.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 13 · Written at 12:40:58 PM on 2 August 2016.
Marcc's avatar
 Location: Wangaratta, VIC
 Member since 21 February 2009
 Member #: 438
 Postcount: 5254

As it has 3 Gangs I would expect #58 as a TRF pre amp #57 as the autodyne converter then 58 as the 1st IF an anode bend 2nd detector then the Audio output. Rectifier 80.

OP valve will possibly be 2A5 as it has 2.5V heaters.

Total 6.


 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 14 · Written at 6:14:20 PM on 2 August 2016.
Flakes's avatar
 Location: Adelaide, SA
 Member since 27 February 2010
 Member #: 630
 Postcount: 392

Hmm... that chassis has 6 sockets on it. Is one of them for the speaker???


‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
Valve radios, They just don't make them like they used to

 
 Return to top of page · Post #: 15 · Written at 7:56:11 PM on 2 August 2016.
OldNerd's Gravatar
 Location: Maitland, NSW
 Member since 16 May 2014
 Member #: 1574
 Postcount: 19

Photo of Back, underside (complete with cobwebs) and read showing speaker being uploaded soon.

. Flakes, the speaker socket is on the rear of the chassis.

I honestly think this might be too far gone to get back to working condition (espicially seeing as there are no markings, so a schematic is probably not going to turn up). Current thinking is cabinet restoration and some yellow/orange LEDS inside to 'light' the dial (stuck in with tape - not 'structural' modification).

That said if someone can magically come up with a schematic then the plan may change....

Again - Thanks heaps to all for you your assistance so far..

Unknown Console Radio
Unknown Console Radio
Unknown Console Radio


 
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