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Philco Model 20 1930 Lowboy
#1

Guys,
Would $60 for one of these that is all original and complete that plays worth it?


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Crist
#2

Yes absolutely.

Which does not mean you should keep playing it untill you inspect it and do what's due.

People who do not drink, do not smoke, do not eat red meat will one day feel really stupid lying there and dying from nothing.
#3

crist
I would buy it too  good price
sam

Some day, and that day may never come, I will call upon you to do a service for me. But until that day, accept this justice as a gift
mafiamen2
#4

Great find!  It would cost you $60.00  or so just to get the tubes for it.  Throw in a very good looking cabinet  and speaker cloth... It's all good!!!   Take care, Gary

"Don't pity the dead, pity the living, above all, those living without love."
Professor Albus Dumbledore
Gary - Westland Michigan
#5

Yes, in 20 lowboys surviving grillcloth is almost nonexistant.

Chassis is clean, 71a are present (e pensive tubes) and if the speaker is working (and judging by the grillcloth it at least has good cone) this alone is a 100 bucks right there. I would not think much.

People who do not drink, do not smoke, do not eat red meat will one day feel really stupid lying there and dying from nothing.
#6

Thanks guys. I've contacted the seller and we are getting together this weekend to seal the deal. Looking forward to seeing it in person. The seller did say that it was all original. A plus in my book. More in a few days.

Crist
#7

Nice pick up on your new radio. Dont play it until you inspect it more.
#8

Great find!
#9

Leaving now to go pick it up. I'll have some pics in about 6 hours. Excited!

Crist
#10

Here it is. The cabinet has been over-coated with poly most likely. That will have to get stripped off. The top veneer has some areas that are missing. I'm thinking that I'll just replace the whole top with new veneer.

It also has an antenna wound around the back. Is this a standard thing? I'm thinking it was added on after market. It is a nice job though. The speaker looks real good and the chassis has no rust on it except a little surface on the tube shield and the cap can. It will clean up real good.

When I arrived the guy had it on and it was playing! The volume was very low though. We turned it off almost right away. The grill cloth is almost worn through near the bottom. I'm hoping I can repositioned it further down to hide that area, we'll see.

Anyway it does look very doable to restore this Philco to very new status. A project a little bit down the road. Over-all I'm happy with the purchase. The seller was very nice and was interested in a little Philco history. He bought it at the state fair so he couldn't give me any details on its life.

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Crist
#11

SWEET RADIO !!! I don't think that was any standard antenna, but an early add on to eliminate the need for an outdoor antenna. I was told about trying this by an elderly friend when I was a kid, and have used very similar antennas on consoles myself with very good results. It is definitely something I would keep, although I might rebuild it with new cloth covered wire. It will be quite directional however, so you will find stations toward the front and back direction of the receiver will be stronger than those coming from either side.
#12

speaker is almost like new,chassis look swell.

do not try to reposition grillcloth, you touch it and it will crumble. Remove the board, Do the cabinet, then put it back and let it be until you decide to replace it.

People who do not drink, do not smoke, do not eat red meat will one day feel really stupid lying there and dying from nothing.
#13

Very nice project radio.  This set was intended to use a long wire antenna, preferably outdoor.  This arrangement was the previous owners solution to not stringing an outdoor aerial.  It will suffice, but as stated, will be a little directional.  This set also must have a dedicated ground, and could be why it played quieter than expected.  Try adding a ground wire tied under the mounting screw of a known grounded wall receptacle as a quick solution.  See if you notice any better volume.  By all means, don't play it much until you recap and recarbon the chassis.  Easy set to rebuild.  I'm jealous!  Take care, Gary

"Don't pity the dead, pity the living, above all, those living without love."
Professor Albus Dumbledore
Gary - Westland Michigan
#14

Very easy. Tge single nadty point is emptying that filter can. This is an intransigent one.

People who do not drink, do not smoke, do not eat red meat will one day feel really stupid lying there and dying from nothing.
#15

The filter can isn't as bad as it looks.  Two screws on top come out from the top of the chassis on each mounting tab and the can will lift away from the chassis.  You can then clip the feed wires and remove the can completely.  With mine I propped the can up by the mounting tabs over a metal coffee can.  I then placed it about a foot in front of my 35000 btu garage torpedo heater.  After about 5 minutes the tar softened and slid right out of the can into the coffee can.  A good heat gun could probably do the job, just take a little longer.  DO NOT DO THIS IN THE HOUSE IN YOUR OVEN!!!  The fumes produced will stay with you for some time to come.  Definitely an outdoor project.  Also, order a copy of the schematic from Chuck Schwark .  Well worth the cost with all the information he provides with his packet.  Take care, Gary 

"Don't pity the dead, pity the living, above all, those living without love."
Professor Albus Dumbledore
Gary - Westland Michigan




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