[Guest]

I have inherited two great old Philco's and need to decide what to do with them.

The first one is a Model 49-1609, I am no expert, but I think it looks excellent. I have not tried to turn it on or anything yet, only wiped off the cabinet. I have a link to a few pictures of it below.

http://pages.suddenlink.net/kirk28/49-16...Closed.jpg
http://pages.suddenlink.net/kirk28/49-16...20view.jpg
http://pages.suddenlink.net/kirk28/49-16...Open-1.jpg
http://pages.suddenlink.net/kirk28/49-16...Open-2.jpg
http://pages.suddenlink.net/kirk28/49-16...0Close.JPG
http://pages.suddenlink.net/kirk28/49-16...20Open.JPG
http://pages.suddenlink.net/kirk28/49-16...20Back.JPG
http://pages.suddenlink.net/kirk28/49-1609%20Radio.JPG
http://pages.suddenlink.net/kirk28/49-16...0panel.JPG

The second one is a 51-1731 which I think is in good condition. The wife turned it on while wiping it off and said the radio works great. The cabinet has a little wear and a few scatches. Here are a few pictures of it:

http://pages.suddenlink.net/kirk28/51-17...wnward.jpg
http://pages.suddenlink.net/kirk28/51-1731%20Front.jpg
http://pages.suddenlink.net/kirk28/51-17...Inside.JPG

I have never tried to restore an old Philco before, but I am very tempted. Over the last 30 years I have restored a 56 Chevy, a 1978 Pinball machine, several pieces of furniture and have worked on computers the whole time.

I guess the important questions are: 1) Are these desirable radios to put the time and effort into, or should I touch up the cabinets and leave them as furniture, or sell them.

Thanks and be easy on me, this is my first post.

[Arran]

I'm not going to lie to you, neither one of those sets is worth a lot of money, in fact the price range is anywhere between free and $50 on a really good day. On the other hand these sets are fairly easy to work on, once the condensers and any bad resistors are changed they are reasonably good performers. They also look like they are fairly complete, and the cabinets are in a fair to good condition, and the veneer is somewhat attractive. The phonographs can be a pain to get working, usually the cartridges will need to be rebuilt and the motor and mechanism cleaned up and oiled. If you got a pinball machine going a record changer should be no problem. The way I look at it you have nothing into them, the repair parts are cheap, and they are good practice for restoring more desirable sets if you get any in future.
Best Regards
Arran

[marcapra]

I don't think that is a a 49-1609. I think it is a 48-1284. I am thinking of buying one of them. Did you ever restore yours? Marc.

[Ron Ramirez]

Marc

The cabinets of the 48-1284 and 49-1609 are identical.

If you do get that 48-1284, I could sure use a good color photo for the Gallery...please?

[marcapra]

Ron, If I buy one, I'll give a pic right away. Thanks, Marc.

[Music in a bottle]

Well, if you restored all that, then you got the touch! Personally, it looks like an easy restore and would be a lot of fun I bet.

[morrison1990]

My grandparents owned this radio till they gave it to me in the early 80's. When I moved cross country from Massachusetts to California it was left behind with a friend who I lost touch with. Been looking for another one to replace it