I'm looking to pick up the above (wife loves the tapestry grill cloth). Question is how hard is it to find the knobs? Missing all three, bear in mind this an early one without the local/distance switch. Learned this from Ron's nice book. Handy reference. All three knobs are missing, the large tuning, and two smaller for on/off and volume. Radio is working. Asked not to plug it in again. Cabinet looks very nice, asking for more pictures all the way around. Heck, another Philco probably coming my way. Local (relatively) no shipping.
Take about $100 off and you may have the right price, $175 is just too much for one of those that is missing the knobs, in fact it's too much for just about any late 20s early 30s console. In the case of the Philco model 65 that was their bottom of the line chassis with six tubes as well, some apparently had the model 87 chassis, the total production for the highboy cabinet was over 87,000 with either chassis so I guess they aren't really that rare. Although the knobs are out there they are very specific to those early Philco sets from 1928-31 so you can't just slap a generic set in their place. If you really want it make them a lowball offer if they can't locate the knobs.
Regards
Arran
Thank you Arran, somewhere we should have a radio value based on more that just the radio. Seems people in certain areas have a lot more local access to nice radios than other areas. Those of us in the boonies have a real lack of "local" radios. You say maybe $100 or less where you live. Western Canada I believe. I doubt you have a lot of access to a radio like this. Now, how many could you find for local pickup at that price? I'm not talking about how rare or desirable the radio is. Frankly, if I lived in the midwest or east, these radios are plentiful. Here, not. Now you add in shipping to get a radio here, what, $150-200 and pray. There is a lot more costs involved in a radio other than what someone, somewhere thinks they can buy one for. Would someone in England pay just that price to get the radio in their door, no. There is always the proximity factor and the population of radios in their area. Pay $100 for a radio and have it shipped across the US or to Canada and then, what do you pay for it? Many factors involved than what someone thinks the radio is worth. If I could get him to sell it you for $50, would you buy it even if you thought it was desirable to you?
You may not be wrong on value but have not considered many things. They all play into the price you wish to pay.
Regards, Jerry
No, you aren't nuts, you're just hooked on vintage radios.
Arran is right in that the price is rather high - but if you can afford it, and since you say you
and your wife like it, I say go for it - only because it is my understanding that vintage radios are harder to find in Arizona.
The knobs are not difficult to find. I have a small drawer full of those 1928-30 knobs...I think.
Thanks Ron, I know the price is high but one has to take into consideration the cost of shipping. Your right, Arizona is the desert area of radios out here. What the hay, I'm going for it. We will see if he takes my offer. Yes, I'm an old Philco Phan. This could be my earliest. I like the 31s. Might even go as new as the 38s.
Jerry
Why pay more then you have to? In my area guys regularly try asking $150 to $250 for a console radio, it then of course sits there until the price goes down or they accept a realistic offer. The first rule of antique radios is to never pay what they ask, when someone is asking a high price more often then not you can get them to take substantially less, especially with knobs missing. Maybe old radios are harder to find in your area compared to some, well so are old radio parts.
The reality is that although the cabinet is less common then the lowboy versions it still isn't anything special, it's a typical late 20s early 30s four legged console. Now if you had found one in the Tudor style cabinet, which looks like it's much rarer, then it may be worth paying more of a premium.
You bring up transportation costs, fair enough, what about the restoration costs? If a set worth $100 (as is) but you pay $175, and then needs $40 worth of knobs, another $40 worth of tubes, and another $30 worth of caps, resistors, wiring, but is worth maybe $200-225 restored it isn't a bargain even if you save on shipping. Why get snarky? I was only trying to do you a favor here. The seller is asking to much, period, why run to his defense? You asked for an opinion, you can take or
leave it as you will.
Regards
Arran
Thanks Arran and I really appreciate you input. I probably only buy a couple of radios a year that are for me. When I get up above perhaps 10, I gift them off. As for your comment about radios costing more in my area, you are correct. As for parts costing more for parts, well, most will come from Phorum members or the other forum and no, the same from anywhere other than a slight variation in shipping costs. Is it anything special from a collectors standpoint? Probably not. I will say the wife likes it and so do I. We are not collectors, but just enjoy a few around the house. We are "gifting" off another Philco console to make room for it. If one is buying a radio to flip, probably not a good deal. I don't flip, if the house gets a little radio crowded I give them to friends. We are all different in what we are doing with radios. I will see if I can get it for $100. I will let you know if I get it as I always appreciate you help. I will be taking another Philco console out to California to give to a friend soon. That will make a little room should I get this one. I have never sold a radio and parts in excess I list on the forums for free plus shipping.
Always appreciate your advise but not being a "collector" we may view things a little differnet. You are no doubt on the value of the radio but you perhaps look at it a little different from where I live and what I would like to do with it. I hope I didn't come off "snarky" in my previous posting. You gave me a good idea of the value of the radio.
Jerry
I agree Arran, that whatever slight (or astronomical) amount of increase in asking price for these wonderful units is absurd in any respect, insomuch that it makes anyone angry, is totally understandable. Face it- these goomers don't have anything but dollar signs in their eyes- if it wasn't for hard cold cash, these so and so's would have chucked spectacular units out long ago, with no more regard than they would show for a dead houseplant. (15 years ago I was given the opprotunity to acquire an untouched '39 Philco world's fair unit with the mystery control, if I was able to prove I could effectively repair it. I could not in all honesty say that I could do that at the time, so the offer was rescinded -I have no doubt that this IDIOT probably did put it out with the trash. He was that kind of a guy. It was his late 93 year old dads' radio). Shipping is unadulterated robery, but who else will bring anything to anyone for a lesser price? I have a hard time with it myself. 20-30 years ago, these aged beauties were dirt cheap. Another scenario: I had the delight to sit in, start up, and drive about an untouched, un-rotted Tucker automoblie for the ghastly sum of $400 in 1979 from the original owner. Course, I was only 15 at the time, and recollect my mother,(with whom I begged and pleaded with to purchase to me the automobile), stomping her foot down and stating: "I'm NOT buying you a d**ned old Tucker car. You'll never find parts for it!". HHHHHHHHHHHUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!! ANYway, I feel your pain sir, but please don't give up the helm. That's far too easy to do in this day and age. Keep up the good fight!
Well, scanning the local C/L and here it shows up. I asked the guy to count the tubes and he said 6. Seems he has relisted it as it was with a whole group of other stuff and indicated only sold as a group. I called him and the Philco was the only one that didn't sell with the whole group. The original pictures were less than clear. I asked him for some others and to do a tube count. You might notice the lack of the switch under the tuning knob. I figured it was an early 65. He counted 6 tubes and found the 65 number on the chassis. Not certain after he relisted it on C/L he came up with the new sales price? Also a new model number. What is it? Arran is right, this guy seems to be out of his head. Before, he was comfortable at a $175 price. I'm totally loosing interest in this radio. I know we are in a desert, but not that dry of radios.
Jerry
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/atq/3641324616.html
Wow $650!!!! I just want to mimic what the others have said. I certainly wouldn't be a bad thing to see if you could knock the price a bit. At $175 is still pretty stiff. and then you've got to come up with some knobs. In less Ron takes some pity on you and hooks you up with a set you are looking at maybe $30 or $40. Agreed cabinet seems look to be in great shape. Definitely want to make sure if it uses 45's that they aren't missing when you get it. You may want to ask if the tubes have cap to see if they are 26's triodes or 24's pentodes. (if you still want it) If you like it I'd jump on it. But what the heck I spent over $500 for a 37-116 so I'm crazy!!!! The plus is it is a easy set to work on , lot of room and a pretty simple circuit
Best of luck with whatever you decide to do.
Terry..
PS. I think that it's great that you give your sets away be gifting them. I kinda do the same thing as there is a white elephant party at are church around Christmas time. I always get a kick from give and hoping that someone will enjoy it as much as I did getting work well for the exchange.
Yes Terry, 500 for a 37-116 seems a little stiff. Local pickup a little better. I have the chassis for a 38-116 on my bench now. Finishing it up for my friend. He got it for free. Wish I could find a deal like that. I only want a small number of radios but like to pick out ones for replacing others. The 116 on my bench is just a splendid radio although I have not seen the cabinet. My friend will restore that. Just shows some get lucky on price. The style of those radios don't really trip my trigger. I like the highboys with the spindle legs. To each there own and at my age, and financial situation money means little. Of course, I don't want to be screwed. Just having fun.
Jerry
7estatdef,
You paid $500 for a 37-116? Egad! I hope it was in pristine condition! I just turned down a 37-116 for $150 because I didn't like the shape it was in. I really want one, but the cheap side of me just won't let me pay a ton for one that needs significant work. I'm not saying you were wrong for doing so, but it made my eye twitch a little
In fairness it was a code 121 or standard model. And they are pretty hard to find. I ended up driving from here near Philly up to MA to get it. I'm a bit like Jerry money doesn't mean a lot to me.
Terry
OK, for a standard model I can see that. I'd love to find one of those as well but I know I'll have to be patient on that front.
OK gang, after getting some clear pictures, what the heck is this radio? Is it an early 65? Why he wants to change the model number I'm clueless. Of course I always be somewhat clueless.
Jerry