Posts: 1,531
Threads: 242
Joined: Sep 2012
City: West Bend, Wisconsin
I'm sure each of us has encountered a similar situation: when friends / family members learn of your antique radio hobby, they invariably mention an old radio they have that they a.) either want to get playing again, or b.) want to sell (or give) to you. Today, I encountered the latter. Out of the blue, a friend dropped by, armed with two old radios he wanted to give me. Free. Gratis. Don't need or want them. Well, what can you do... they weren't what I normally look for or collect, but the price was right. How could I refuse? So much to my surprise, one of them was a Philco! Here it is, a 1953 model 53-956. One of only two AM/FM table model radios offered by Philco that year, if I read correctly in the gallery section. Looks complete and decent, and shouldn't be too difficult to restore. But it will have to wait until my 1935 Model 89B gets completed
Greg V.
West Bend, WI
Member WARCI.org
Posts: 1,256
Threads: 32
Joined: Jan 2014
City: Wellborn Florida
That was my first philco and second am/fm radio around 2010. Real nice table radio couple of things did not match the sch but did not change look factory to me. The only tube I replace was the 19v8 do not remember all the details but have notes in a file. The set takes about 20 minutes of play on fm to stabilize. David
Posts: 2,353
Threads: 92
Joined: May 2010
City: Clayton, NC
Posts: 5,162
Threads: 273
Joined: Nov 2012
City: Wilsonville
State, Province, Country: OR
...very nice friend!... and Ron doesn't have a picture of that in his photo gallery so he might be interested in it.
Posts: 10
Threads: 5
Joined: Oct 2020
City: Beverly Hills
State, Province, Country: Michigan
Trying to find out what type dial lamps the 53-956 takes.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Rick
Posts: 1,887
Threads: 214
Joined: May 2015
City: Seattle
State, Province, Country: WA
Hi Rick,
According to the service info in the Philco Library:
https://philcoradio.com/library/index.ph...year-book/
it's a 7W frosted lamp. Philco part 34-2605. I believe that's essentially the same form factor as a C-7 Christmas tree light or night light.
Something like this might work:
https://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-7C7-WH-CD...B007RL08AC
Posts: 1,256
Threads: 32
Joined: Jan 2014
City: Wellborn Florida
I used one of the 4 watt clear night light bulbs from the dollar store.
Posts: 13,776
Threads: 580
Joined: Sep 2005
City: Ferdinand
State, Province, Country: Indiana
If it uses one of those C7 bulbs, I would use an LED replacement instead of an incandescent - less heat.
--
Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN
Posts: 1,824
Threads: 114
Joined: Jul 2014
City: Sneedville, TN
![[-]](https://philcoradio.com/phorum/images/bootbb/collapse.png "[-]")
