or, What does the “B” in 16B mean? What does the “X” in 118X stand for?
First, a note of explanation:
A suffix is defined as an affix added at the end of a word. In this case, we are talking about a letter (sometimes two, occasionally even three) letters added to the end of a prewar Philco model number.
Those letters following a Philco model number does have significance. It indicates the cabinet style used. (Example: 16B – Model 16 Baby Grand)
Here is an alphabetical breakdown of the Philco model number suffix letters and the meaning of each:
B – Baby Grand (cathedral or tombstone)
C – Compact (table model)
CSX – Chairside model using internal speaker with Inclined Sounding Board (Models 28CSX, 29CSX, 630CSX, 635CSX)
D – Console with doors
F – Console, no legs
H – Highboy
J – Console, no legs
K – Console, no legs
L – Lowboy
LZ – Lazyboy (chairside)
LZX – Lazyboy, using separate speaker with Inclined Sounding Board (1933)
MB – Moderne Baby Grand (Model 60MB only)
P – Portable (Model 80P only)
PF – Radio-Phonograph
PX – Radio-Phonograph with Inclined Sounding Board
RX – Chairside, using separate speaker with Inclined Sounding Board (1933-36)
RX – Console with Mystery Control (1939-42)
S – Model 66S Tombstone (I suspect to differentiate between it and the earlier Model 66B)
T – Table model
TX – Table model using separate speaker with Inclined Sounding Board (Model 19TX only)
X – Console with Inclined Sounding Board
XF – Console, inclined control panel, vertical sounding board (1938-40)
XX – Console, inclined control panel, Inclined Sounding Board (1938-40)
It should be noted that there is no indication that Philco used these letters prior to 1932. Therefore, calling a 1931 Model 70 cathedral a “70B” is incorrect. Philco advertising referred to it as a “Model 70 Baby Grand.” The same applies to the Model 90 cathedral, Model 50 cathedral, Model 51 cathedral and Model 20 cathedral. Philco did not refer to them as 90B, 50B, 51B or 20B; they were called 90 Baby Grand, 50 Baby Grand, etc.
The first Philco models to use the letter suffix were Models 90X and 112X, introduced in January 1932. In June 1932, Philco began using the letters to identify all of their cabinets.
It is suspected that the letters began to be used to abbreviate and simplify identification of Philco’s various cabinet styles.