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Philco 38-5B Cabinet Questions, grill cloth? - Printable Version

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Philco 38-5B Cabinet Questions, grill cloth? - TerryMSU - 10-31-2016

I need to ask a more cabinet related concern about a 38-5.  A wise friend tells me that the Table model of the 38-5 (38-5B) may have a smaller dial than the dial on the cabinet model (38-5X). I know there are some differences in bezel parts, but it looks like the dial card and everything else is the same.  Am I missing something?  Does anyone know whether the two match once I get the bezel swapped.

Thanks,
TerryMSU

RE: Philco 38-5 Cabinet Questions - Ron Ramirez - 10-31-2016

You raise a valid point.

I would hazard a guess that the 38-5B escutcheon probably is smaller than a 38-5X escutcheon. This is true of many other 1937 and 1938 Philco models - that is, the Baby Grand or B version has a smaller escutcheon than the console version.

We would need someone out there with a 38-5B to confirm against the outer dimensions of yours. I do not have one. Anyone?

RE: Philco 38-5 Cabinet Questions - TerryMSU - 11-04-2016

Ron,
Based on the part numbers, the escutcheon and related items are different.  Based on measurements taken by the individual I am planning on purchasing the baby grand cabinet from, the actual dual card is the same.

Fortunately, the seller has the escutcheons, etc. What he does not have is the speaker.  My output transformer has one half of the input winding open, so I am desperately looking for an 8" speaker with a field coil and a push-pull output transformer.


Thanks,
TerryMSU

RE: Philco 38-5 Cabinet Questions - Ron Ramirez - 11-04-2016

Well, if your cabinet seller has the proper escutcheon for the cabinet, then that's one big worry off your plate...

I will look and see if I might have a speaker - I haven't looked yet because I really don't think that I do have one. I got rid of several speakers the last time I went to Kutztown (the "almost free for a Phorum donation" table). Edit: No, I do not have one...sorry.

RE: Philco 38-5 Cabinet Questions - Arran - 11-05-2016

 It sounds like what you need is a replacement output transformer, if the X series console has an 8'' speaker in it.
Regards
Arran

RE: Philco 38-5B Cabinet Questions, grill cloth? - TerryMSU - 12-06-2016

I have the new 38-5B cabinet in hand. I need to find the right grill cloth for this cabinet. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
TerryMSU

RE: Philco 38-5B Cabinet Questions, grill cloth? - Ron Ramirez - 12-06-2016

The cloth used in the 38-5B was never reproduced.

I dunno...since you cannot purchase anything that looks like the original, you will have to get creative. I'll look at some of the offerings out there later and make a suggestion or two. In the meantime, I'm sure others will chime in with their opinions...and that is a good thing. Icon_thumbup

RE: Philco 38-5B Cabinet Questions, grill cloth? - Nathan Slingerland - 12-06-2016

For reference, here is a photo from an auction that I believe has the original cloth:

   

This was the image from the sales catalog:

   

Kind of an odd one. I hate to say it but maybe the 'Zenith Gold Block' pattern from Richmond Designs?

http://www.richmonddesignsinc.com/grille_cloth_product_page

Radio Daze also has something similar:

http://www.radiodaze.com/grille-cloth-21-item-grc21/

(And now I'd better hide to avoid any rotten tomatoes thrown my direction. Icon_smile )

RE: Philco 38-5B Cabinet Questions, grill cloth? - Ron Ramirez - 12-06-2016

Nathan

The 38-5B in your first photo does indeed have the original cloth.

And, no rotten tomatoes from me...I was actually thinking the same thing regarding replacement cloth, but I couldn't remember the name of the Zenith pattern...It would depend on the size of the pattern as to whether it would look good in the 38-5B cabinet.

RE: Philco 38-5B Cabinet Questions, grill cloth? - Nathan Slingerland - 12-07-2016

Yeah - good point about the pattern scale.

I looked a round a bit more and found this one that seems somewhat closer in texture, but not so much in color (more silver than gold toned). I've never done it, but maybe it could be dyed? I know some people have even used a really light coat of spray paint...

   

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-RADIO-GRILLE-CLOTH-628-148-VINTAGE-INSPIRED-SPECIAL-18-x-25-/311737814649

It's hard to say though - I've been disappointed on more than one occasion when trying to buy grille cloth using just photos of the fabric in isolation (rather than in a radio).

There's always the venerable GRC-02 from Radio Daze.

   

http://www.radiodaze.com/grille-cloth-02-item-grc02/

RE: Philco 38-5B Cabinet Questions, grill cloth? - Ron Ramirez - 12-07-2016

I dunno about 70/90 cloth (GRC-02), I don't think I would use it in a 1938 Philco but it's TerryMSU's radio...

Another possibility is Radio Daze's GRC-14 (the "Ribbed" pattern):
http://www.radiodaze.com/grille-cloth-14-item-grc14/

On first glance, Nathan, the first photo in your post just above (post #10) showing the cloth from the auction site looks like it could be a decent replacement. But I would be questioning two things: the size of the pattern, and the thickness of the cloth? Some of that upholstery fabric is pretty thick and will muffle the sound. Plus the proble of trying to make it more of a gold color.