The PHILCO Phorum
Are 40-90 and 38-12TT the same radio? - Printable Version

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+--- Thread: Are 40-90 and 38-12TT the same radio? (/showthread.php?tid=8508)


Are 40-90 and 38-12TT the same radio? - morzh - 01-17-2014

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1938-Philco-Model-38-12-Bakelite-TT-Radio-Battery-with-Power-Shifter-/350977850264?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51b7e8fb98


http://www.ebay.com/itm/1940-PHILCO-MODEL-40-90-BAKELITE-TUBE-RADIO-FOR-PARTS-OR-REPAIR-/321275462451?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4acd828333

(short of the dial - in the 38-12 the dial is from Emerson, the org one was damaged).

RE: Are 40-90 and 38-12TT the same radio? - Ron Ramirez - 01-17-2014

No, they are not the same internally (although the cabinet is the same).

38-12CB is AC operated; the 40-90CB requires batteries.

38-12CB: http://www.philcoradio.com/gallery/1938c.htm#c

40-90CB: http://www.philcoradio.com/gallery/1940a.htm#e

RE: Are 40-90 and 38-12TT the same radio? - morzh - 01-17-2014

Ron

I was surprised myself as I knew that 38-12 is more or less the same as 38-15 I have only with no shortwave band. And 38-14 is close to 38-15 but is AC/DC (hot chassis).

Does it mean that the guy who listed this radio (38-12) has 40-90 chassis in it?
they look the same, those two I listed.

RE: Are 40-90 and 38-12TT the same radio? - Ron Ramirez - 01-17-2014

The cabinet is the same (style), so that doesn't necessarily mean the guy's 40-90 is in a 38-12CB cabinet (although it could be). When I have a little more time, I'll take a more careful look at the auction ad.

RE: Are 40-90 and 38-12TT the same radio? - Ron Ramirez - 01-17-2014

OK, just looked at both auction links, Mike. Both are 40-90CB sets. The one identified as a "38-12 TT" is a 40-90CB, and it even comes with a Silvertone Powr Shiftr battery eliminator.

And, incidentally, both have their original Philco 40-90 dials (note the large "PHILCO" near the top of each dial).

RE: Are 40-90 and 38-12TT the same radio? - morzh - 01-17-2014

Thanks Ron,

This is the answer I thought I would hear now, as after you told me there were no 38-12 with batteries, and what triggered the question in the first place was the fact that I saw the chassis being identical.....

So, given the frequency of misnomers with Philcos recently I take it it is not that rare to buy something that is in fact might be something else. However close.