Checked it out at the country public auction today at 9AM. Scheduled to be sold after the real estate at 12:30. Drove home to do some paint prep on my house and mull it over. Returned at 11:30 and thought about it for an hour or so until it came up. While it started at $100, it quickly flew up to $450 between several bidders, one was the "left" bid being handled by the clerk. I raised my hand and $460 got it. That's the most that I've ever paid for a radio, but since the outside of the case was perfect without even some lacquer crazing, I figured, why wait to find a cheaper one? The insides look untouched and complete and buried in dust. No pic now, but just imagine an original condition 690
......btw, what does the back panel look like?
Lets see some pictures of that monstrosity
Sounds cool, can't wait for pics.
What an amazing find ! It looks to be in excellent condition for its age. I think you were wise to grab it at that price, considering this. I'll be anxious to see the electronic restoration of this radio. Take lots of pictures. We'll all enjoy following your progress.
Lovely radio and great price. I wish I was younger and had more space!
Jerry
Some guys have all the luck!!! Our subdivision had their annual community garage sale this Saturday. I spent about 4 hours walking through about 30 different garages and didn't see a single radio older than 1960! You're lucky, and I'm extremely jealous!!! Take care, Gary
Hey Jerry don't we all!!!!!
The 38-690 looks great! I think you would have to had waited a long time to find another as nice as that one. Seems to be a fairly local set. With WRC,WMAL, and WFMD on the presets. First two are out of Wash,DC. WRC (980kc back in the 80's the call sign was change to WWRC) of The Joy Boys of Radio fame. One of them was the first Ronald McDonald and was on tv doing to national weather report. Willard Scott. The other chap I think is still hosting The Big Broadcast on WAMU (FM in Washington) where he plays three hours of OTR on Sunday night. Ed Walker.
WMAL (630kc) in the '60's had Harden and Weaver on in the mornings. Contemporary standards music and talk. Can remember vividly listening for the winter school closing when I was a kid. Later in the late '70's they play Fibber McGee and Molly Saturday afternoons.
WFMD out of Fredrick,MD but only is running 5KW daytime. I would suspect that your set is from near Fredrick or so.
Anyway enough of the history lesson.
Terry
Quote:I would suspect that your set is from near Fredrick or so.
Definitely in the neighborhood.
What a great deal. It would have been cheap at twice the price! I bought one in similar condition earlier this year, paid more than twice what you paid and am very happy with the radio.
As cool as the 38-690 is though, I've always wondered why Philco didn't put a tuning indicator in that radio?
The front panel with teledial is busy. 37-116 with it does not have the indicator while without it it does.
