The PHILCO Phorum

Could not pass up this one that showed up on the BB at work.  Older lady downsizing and her husband bought it new in 1947.  I am picking it up next week so the photos below will need to do until then.


From the photos this sure looks to be one beautiful cabinet and a hi-end kind of rare console from the twilight years of great AM-FM-SW consoles.

Let me know any tips, tricks or items to look for when I pick it up.

Thanks,

Mike

Congrats, those late model Scott 800's are supposed to be great performers.

The best tip I can offer is bring a couple of fellows with strong backs with you when you go to pick it up

Sweet! 

(05-20-2016, 11:49 AM)Eliot Ness Wrote: [ -> ]Congrats, those late model Scott 800's are supposed to be great performers.

The best tip I can offer is bring a couple of fellows with strong backs with you when you go to pick it up

Yep, got a handtruck, dolly and a guy from work with a strong back and weak mind lined up.
Cannot wait to get my hands on it.

Mike

I restored one for a friend a few years back and its a lot of work but boy do they work and sound good! It is loaded with those bath tub type metal can capacitors and they were all leaky in my buddies. They are easy to restuff so it still looks good and keep that really nice looking factory assembly job.

Gregb

So, what is one of these worth in unrestored condition?
Have a local one here, but he wants $750 for it.
Pretty expensive firewood if you ask me.
murf

I saw one sold in near PA for abouta 100 a couple of years ago.

Guy called me up and offered it for $50  just to get it out of his moms house.
Noticed the speakers have been replaced with newer ones as well.
Then he realized it might be worth more and cancelled the sale.
Will be on CL for a while at $750.
murf

CL and $750 = Long sell time

No where near these prices or I wouldn't be able to bring it home!
Lets hope the chrome on the chassis is in good shape.

Getting it in a few hours.

Mike

Well I got it loaded and home mostly in one piece.  
What a monster to move even with the all the chassis removed.

From the photos it has the usual chrome deterioration but still quite a looker.
I have never heard of a W-C brand turntable before so more research is needed there.
Very nice 15" speaker and original grillcloth.

Very happy with this one.  It certainly decorates the living room nicely which my wife likes.
Now on to getting it going again.
BTW, notice the 12/4/46 final inspection tag.  Someone got a great Christmas present that year!

Mike

Good to hear you got it home I bet it will sound really good when you get finished. Congrats.

Yeah.....paint me green above the waste and dark green below.

Nice radio. You will experience some degree of exaltation when it sings.

W-C = Webster Chicago AKA Webcor

Looks like it may be a model 356 (33 - 45 - 78 rpm) so it is a bit newer than the radio, likely a replacement made after LPs and 45s were introduced.

Congrats on a great find!

I have restored 3 of them and they are a lot of work. There is a "modification" to the tone control circuit that was posted several years ago on ARF that is very worthwhile adding. The original circuit provided very little bass boost which that large speaker can really handle. As you will discover, even in the off mode the system is powering a transformer needed to energize the solenoid for "on". I found it safer to leave the unit unplugged when not being used for extended periods.
I will be happy to provide any help I may during your restoration.
Best, Jerry