Philco 20 Baby Grand Movie Star!
Posts: 134
Threads: 11
Joined: Jul 2015
City: Christchurch, New Zealand
That chassis looks really tidy - and I like the gold personally - I think it tells the story of the radio... Me personally, I'd keep it that way because it does go with the history you know (and the history you can only imagine) the radio has. Just be glad its not mustard yellow 
Its really nice, and the story with it is just awesome... congratulations on becoming the latest caretaker for this great piece of history.
There are no personal problems that can't be overcome with the liberal application of high explosives
Posts: 330
Threads: 40
Joined: May 2015
City: Sanger, CA
State, Province, Country: California
Thanks Steve. I realize that this is a fairly common model Philco, but being an old 1930's movie fan since I was a teenager, this radio has dual interest for me. I'm hoping that someone out there will eventually have some info on the charity auction this one was part of. So far searching hasn't found anything.
Like you, I believe we are just the caretakers of the old things in our charge. It will retain the finish that's on it while I own it. An upgrade to a better used speaker cloth, or appropriately aged new cloth, would be my only contribution.
Steve
(This post was last modified: 05-06-2016, 11:06 AM by SteveG.
Edit Reason: Added text
)
Posts: 3,135
Threads: 54
Joined: Apr 2011
City: Lexington, KY
That's a pretty unique piece with some very interesting history, I'm glad you are going preserve it as found. I wonder if a gentle application of GoJo might remove some of the black on the cabinet?
John KK4ZLF
Lexington, KY
"illegitimis non carborundum"
Posts: 330
Threads: 40
Joined: May 2015
City: Sanger, CA
State, Province, Country: California
John,
Being a big fan of "the GoJo Treatment", I considered what that would do to the finish. It looks like they brushed on the gold and some areas have aged differently than others, most likely due to a second coat in those areas. I feel that I might change the remaining finish for the worse, if I try any cleaning with more than a moist cloth. The gold has darkened with the past 85+ years and looks great in person. I cleaned some tiny white paint dots from a long ago ceiling paint job in a room where this thing sat. Other than a better speaker cloth, I think I'll leave it as it sits.
Steve
Posts: 330
Threads: 40
Joined: May 2015
City: Sanger, CA
State, Province, Country: California
It also looks like there may have been a dark primer coat under the gold. I think that's what's producing the dark areas on the front and the sides of the cabinet.
(This post was last modified: 05-06-2016, 08:09 PM by SteveG.
Edit Reason: text
)
Posts: 3,135
Threads: 54
Joined: Apr 2011
City: Lexington, KY
Well, since you can see the cabinet in person you're a much better judge of what is going on. In-any-case, it is a very interesting radio. A quick search shows that Mary Brian lived to be 96!
John KK4ZLF
Lexington, KY
"illegitimis non carborundum"
Posts: 13,776
Threads: 580
Joined: Sep 2005
City: Ferdinand
State, Province, Country: Indiana
SteveG - I would like to add my congratulations on an amazing find! 
--
Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN
Posts: 330
Threads: 40
Joined: May 2015
City: Sanger, CA
State, Province, Country: California
Thanks Ron. Hoping you can find some speaker cloth at KT for me!
Users browsing this thread:
|
|
Recent Posts
|
|
HiFi (Chifi) tube amp build - but my own design.
|
| Tim,
nice write up and thanks for sharing !!
Sincerely Richardradiorich — 02:47 AM |
|
HiFi (Chifi) tube amp build - but my own design.
|
| Well, this was a real "Hum-Dinger" :lol: ! This will be kinda long, but hopefully it will help others having t...TV MAN — 01:55 AM |
|
Shadow Meter Bulb
|
| Phorum members, I am trying to find the bulb # for PHILCO Shadow Meter part number 45-2180 that is from a 37-640 chassis...georgetownjohn — 06:53 PM |
|
Philco 41-608 changer coupler
|
| 3D-printing...short of machining, of course.
Or molding.morzh — 05:20 PM |
|
Philco 41-608 changer coupler
|
| Thanks, Morzh.
That solves the issue of the rubber pieces. Now, I need to find a way to replicate the pot metal piec...alangard — 05:07 PM |
|
12' Philco
|
| If it is 12', either Kareem or Andre would have to jump pretty high to look at the front panel.
Kareem would have an e...morzh — 01:48 PM |
|
12' Philco
|
| And here's a story about the tires on the truck. Same "no-stoop" guy must have installed these! Take care a...GarySP — 01:17 PM |
|
Hickok AC51 tube tester
|
| I think they have only shown the secondaries of the transformer.
Two of them feed the rectifiers' filaments.morzh — 12:58 PM |
|
IF can wire size and Rubber mounts?
|
| Arran
If the wire inside cans is the gauges you mentioned, the sole reason for that would be mechanical, to stiffen t...morzh — 12:56 PM |
|
12' Philco
|
| Rod,
Yes, I know, but the Giant Philco is not around anymore either, so I go by whoever was alive fairly recently.
H...morzh — 12:54 PM |
|
Who's Online
|
There are currently 6862 online users. [Complete List]
» 2 Member(s) | 6860 Guest(s)
|
|
|
|
 
|
![[-]](https://philcoradio.com/phorum/images/bootbb/collapse.png "[-]")
