Philco 48-1276

[greg denney]

Hello, My girlfriend gave me a 48-1276 for Christmas...WHAT A HOSS!!!!!....I think it's a beautiful radio although I know it's not that sought after a set......Anyway does anyone know what years or models of phonographs will fit this thing??? this one has been gutted by someone ......when I get done with the 4million caps in it I'm gonna need one !!!! ..........makes me 6 Phicos now !!!!...............Thanks.....Greg

[TA Forbes]

Oh boy, is that going to be tough! I think you are right on with finding a good chassis to go in your cabinet. I really just collect 1930-1938, so I don't know what chassis would fit in your 48-1276.

[Ron Ramirez]

Hi Greg

Congratulations, that was a great gift indeed! I think the 48-1276 is one of the best-looking Philco models ever made. I used to own a similar 48-1274; I wish I could have kept it, but when you have a fair-sized collection, eventually you reach a point where you have too many consoles and not enough room.

Anyway...the original changer used in the 48-1276 was the M-4, which is actually a 1946 changer. It is 78 rpm only. The main drawback of this changer is the "dynamic" cartridge used. The cartridge itself was a good one; the problem was the required stylus. It was designed to use a special stylus. The majority of these cartridges have been destroyed by people sticking a steel needle into this cartridge, because it looks like that is what it takes. It isn't. And once a steel needle is inserted, enlarging the opening in the cartridge for the stylus, the cartridge is permanently destroyed. Gib Epling at West-Tech tells me that they cannot be repaired once this has been done.

Philco must have decided the dynamic cartridge was a bad idea also, because a few years later they offered a kit to convert the changers using the "dynamic" cartridge to a crystal cartridge. I think it would be better to come up with a way to adapt a Stanton 500 cartridge to this tone arm.

If you want to play records, and play more than just 78 rpm records, a good replacement would be a three speed changer from an early 1950s Philco. You would have to be sure it would fit in the hole for the M-4, though. It might require using the motor board from the early 1950s Philco you get the changer from, or cutting another board to fit the changer.

[greg denney]

Hello Ron, Thank you for your reply....I have 20 consoles and about 10 tabletops so I know what you mean about the space thing.....But I keep adding more to the collection anyway!!! .....I have a couple modern turntables that I could probably graft into this radio but I was hoping to try to put it back the way it is supposed to be....but maybe a early 50's or something like you mentioned would be better....I have a 46-1226 but the phono doesn't look anywhere near the same on the 48-1276(platter size ,and all drilled holes are different).....I'll just have to start shopping for parts!!!! ..................Thanks again, Greg

[7estatdef]

Greg
I just took a look at that set. http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/philco_48_1276.html WOW it's quite strapping!! AM SW and FM 100 to boot . With the P/P 6L6's it really ought rattle the walls.
Good luck with it
Terry

[greg denney]

Thanks terry.....I have replaced 3 of the electrolitics and have 3 or 4 more to go....have to order more caps.....I think I counted 56 small caps and theres another large one mounted on the speaker !!...Quite intimidating....All of the tubes and caps are philco though so I don't think It's ever been apart!!.....Thanks again to everyone for their replies, Greg

[greg denney]

Geeze!!!! ...Believe it or not I just bought another 1276 .....Although the cabinet is somewhat rougher than the 1st one I got, everything is there on this one...So now I have an original turntable, and an extra of everything else.!!!!!.......Gonna have to build a bigger house!!!!! ...................Greg

[Ron Ramirez]

Greg, you should take a little trip up to Zanesville and rescue a 40-508...

Note from site admin: The link which was formerly here no longer exists.

I'd sort of like to have a 48-1276 one of these days, when I have a little more room for consoles.

[greg denney]

Hi Ron....I think I am about full up at this moment......I just got rid of one zenith and had athe 1276 ,a zenith 11s474? and a RCA 19k follow me home....Of coarse I'm going to part out the spare 1276 so that will free up some space!!!......I'd love to save them all but unless it's just something I cant live without at this point I'm going to have to stop for a while ...........Greg

[Glenn Roberts]

Greg,
If you ever want to part with any of those, Morning View KY isn't too far away.

Glenn

[greg denney]

Hello Glenn....Unfortunatly most of my radios are project radios, needing something or everything done to them....probably not what most people want!!!! .......I like trying to save the non-perfect ones......The 19k is missing a speaker and was covered with 4 layers of paint(stripped now)....It did come with the optional mouse nest though ......The 11s474 is in boxes.....and the 1276 is complete now but needs recapped..as all but about 5 of my radios do!!!!!.................Greg

[Art Hoch]

Gregg,

I also had a 48-1274 once. Cabinet was truly mint. It was smarter than I was so I let it go. I couldn't compete with 90+ resistors and 150 caps.

Here it is:http://www.radioatticarchives.com/radio.htm?radio=2130

[greg denney]

Hello Art.......I was quite overwhelmed when i pulled the chassis and flipped it over......But being smart is something I have never been accused of so I have to at least attempt to get this thing going.......and If I don't then I guess it will continue to hold the carpeting down on that side of the bedroom!!! ...........greg

[Art Hoch]

greg denney Wrote:Hello Art.......I was quite overwhelmed when i pulled the chassis and flipped it over......But being smart is something I have never been accused of so I have to at least attempt to get this thing going.......and If I don't then I guess it will continue to hold the carpeting down on that side of the bedroom!!! ...........greg

*********************I WISH YOU GOOD LUCK....AND PATIENCE. Art