[dmr54]

I have a Philco 46-1209 whose cabinet is in excellent condition. It seems to have at least 2 different wood grains. The Philco manual states that The cabinet is likely walnut, possibly mahogany. However the horizontal band wrapping near the top of the cabinet has grain that looks like birdseye maple. Does anyone have a definitive answer regarding this attractive veneer band that is distinctly different from the rest of the cabinet wood? Thanks.

[jrblasde]

I am by no means an expert on veneer, but I agree with you that it is maple. The reason I say so is that my 47-1230 has the same upper and lower veneers as your cabinet; when I needed to patch a small piece of the upper veneer, I went to my local Wood Craft store. My own judgement matched it most closely to maple, and the employees agreed.

[jrblasde]

I should add, though, that the lower veneer on yours looks to be plain cut walnut, whereas my 47-1230 is quarter sawn.

[dmr54]

Thanks very much. This is very helpful.

[jrblasde]

You’re welcome! I’ve done a few cabinet restorations on Philco radios (in fact, I’m working on one now). I feel that I get a bit better each time at identifying types of veneer. But the credit goes to the “phine pholks” here on the phorum. I’ve learned so much from them!

[jrblasde]

Another tip on the walnut veneer—it is most likely French walnut, not American walnut. The two are technically distinct, unrelated species of trees. French walnut is more reddish in color.

People have mentioned it to me before in my own restoration threads, so I thought I’d share!

[dmr54]

That is an interesting bit of information.. I had no idea that it was French walnut. Apparently it's common that French walnut is chosen over American walnut for design purposes. It certainly is attractive and prompts me to value the individual craftmanship that went into building the cabinet.