The PHILCO Phorum

Hi everyone,
A few days ago i posted about this 40-190 that was on Craigslist. It was about an hours drive from my home, so after work last night my co-pilot ( that's her in the first picture) and I drove down to look at it. Also, I've been dealing with a sciatic nerve in my left hip which chose yesterday to be particularily painful, so it was an uncomfortable trip!!!! anyway, the owner had the set playing when I got there and it actually sounded pretty good, no hum so I'm guessing it has had work done to it although the owner said he never had any done and he has had it since the 1960's! Knowing what I know about this eras sets I turned it off as fast as I could! Overall it's not in too bad of shape. the chassis is rust free and appears to have all original Philco branded tubes! There is no loose veneer or major cabinet problems. The finish is shot and will have to be redone and the pushbuttons are garbage, but the dial glass is still in beautiful condition. The owner was asking $100 for it and I was thinking $75! Not wanting to endure a painful trip home empty handed we haggled the price down to $85 and we were both happy. I probably paid a little too much for it, but I really like the cabinet design on this model! In my mind I think this is probably the best looking Philco of that time period, and seeing as this chassis is a lot like the one in my 40-150 it should be a great performer when restored. Here are some pics!

Interesting how many different cabinets Philco could put the same chassis in! This is basically the same chassis that is in my 40-180 console, and your 40-150 table model. I'm rather surprised at how chipped and gouged up the cabinet is on your 40-190, though. Makes you wonder where (or how) this was stored. It is a nice design, though. Very art deco-ish. My 40-180 has the original finish, and, outside of a cigarette burn on top and usual vacuum cleaner scuff marks along the bottom, is in pretty decent shape. I'm sure on yours, the cabinet refinishing will be far greater a job than the restoration of the chassis. And, judging by the number of consoles in the shed behind you, you will be in the woodworking / refinishing business for quite some time!

Congratulations!

The 40-190 is supposed to be an 8 tuber, what difference that makes to the performance is another question, It looks like they added a 7A6 dual diode but both diodes are tied together, the schematic for how that tube is connected is somewhat confusing. I can't really see the point of it, it seems like tube stuffing, if they wanted to add another tube why not add another triode to act as a phase inverter and make the 41s into a true push pull power amp? I've seen this sort of scam go on with other sets like Canadian and American G.Es and RCAs, add a 6H6 and use a 6F5 rather then a 6Q7, they add a redundant tube that they don't need just to make it a 6 tube set. I agree that the price was a little high for the condition but at least it's complete, and unlike a 40-180 they don't show up every day, maybe every other day or week, but not every day.
Regards
Arran

Hi All;
37, In the pictures, is that at your place, or the sellers ?? The reason I am asking is the other sets in the Background, are they yours or the sellers ?? If they are yours, then it looks like You have your work cut out for yourself.. With a waiting list..
THANK YOU Marty

Hey all,
Marty- the pics show my garage! And yes I do have my work cut out for meMost of the sets in there are pulled from my parents basement where they have resided for many years and are patiently waiting for placement in my home.
The price on this 40-190 was probably high but it looks a lot worse than it actually is. to be honest, the more forlorn the set looks the more it calls to me, and that's what this one did!! I enjoy the cabinet restoration part and I look forward to bringing this one back.
Kevin

I could use the chassis out of that 40-190 if you decide you don't want to restore it.
I have a real nice cabinet in need of a decent re-buildable chassis.
Someone modified and butchered mine to the point of no return.
Let me know if interested.
Thanks
murf

Sorry Murf, radio and chassis are restored! I'm sure you will find a suitable chassis somewhere. Good luck!
Kevin