[Ron Ramirez]

Thanks to Kenny Richmond, more patterns of grille cloth are now available for our vintage radios!

I want to show you photos of the many patterns he is now offering along with a few comments of my own. Kenny was kind enough to send me a sampler of these patterns, so I have seen them "up close and in person" and I am very impressed with the high quality of this cloth!

Let's start with what is perhaps the most popular Philco pattern, the 1935-37 chevron or "V" pattern:

[Image: http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Antique-Grille-Cl...~60_57.JPG]

It compares very favorably with the "V" cloth used in the 16B "Deco" tombstones, and is a great substitute for all 1935-37 Philco models using this pattern.

Next, we have a very authentic pattern used in the Philco 80 Jr. and 81 Jr. cathedrals - the "Small Herringbone Weave":

[Image: http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Antique-Grille-Cl...~60_57.JPG]

A perfect duplication of this cloth. Better get it while you can!

A similar pattern is the "Large Herringbone Weave" cloth used in Emersons and some other vintage radios:

[Image: http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Antique-Grille-Cl...~60_57.JPG]

The "70/90" cloth pattern is another cloth that was used in a number of Philco models as well as some earlier Zeniths and possibly others. Kenny now has a good substitute available:

[Image: http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Antique-Grille-Cl...~60_57.JPG]

Two diamond-type patterns are currently available. Here is one, a good generic diamond pattern which could be used an many different radios. This picture does not do the cloth justice, in reality it does look much better:

[Image: http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Antique-Grille-Cl...~60_57.JPG]

Another excellent diamond pattern is reversible - this photo shows both sides:

[Image: http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Antique-Grille-Cl....JPG?rt=nc]

He also sells an excellent Zenith "block pattern" cloth for those of you who need this for your circa 1938 Brand Z consoles.

You can find this cloth on eBay here:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/richmonddesignsi...=10&_rdc=1

or just go to Kenny's website:

http://www.richmonddesignsinc.com/grille_cloth_sales

And don't forget to thank him for all of the time and effort involved in making this cloth available again.

[Eliot Ness]

Thanks for posting those Ron. I know Kenny went to a lot of time, trouble, and expense to have these made. It's been a very frustrating process for him to find a source to make an accurate pattern, and I know he has been through several suppliers and batches to get nice cloth made.

[Sean]

Ron,

Would any of these be the proper pattern for the 16B cathedral? I will need to get some cloth for one shortly and thought I would try what Kenny has if possible.

[Ron Ramirez]

Kenny's "whiskey rayon" pattern, fourth from the top in the photos above, is as close as we can get to the old 70/90 cloth right now. This pattern was also used in most 1932 and 1933 Philco cathedral models; the 80B and 81B being exceptions.

[BDM]

Boy this is good news

[TA Forbes]

Yes, really great news!!!!!!!

I, for one, was not happy about having to revert back to the "bad old days" when repop grillecloth was still a wishful glint in radio collectors' eyes and the only options available were: 1. Buy a set with perfect grillecloth; 2. Just accept the hole in your rare set's grillecloth (yeah, riiight....); 3. Buy console radios just to harvest their grillecloth; 4. Make regular trips to the local fabric shops and upholstry shops.

[TA Forbes]

Oh yes, that is some _____ (thing that holds back bodies of water) FINE lookin' grillecloth!!!!!

HOORAY!!!

[morzh]

Ron

Sorry to put my spoon of tar in this barrel of honey, but: isn't he the same seller we looked at when I posted this same pattern from eBay here a month ago?

What attracted everyone's attention was his 98% feedback there and some customers' comments.

Now if you personally vouch for this guy I (and I think everyone who then participated in that discussion) will take your word over eBay rating.

[Ron Ramirez]

Yes, he is the same seller, which is why I did not comment in that thread. Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinions, of course.

As for taking my word over eBay rating - I would not ordinarily ask anyone to do that; but in this case, I can say with a clear conscience, "Please do." Some folks might find his personality not to their liking. H**l, some people have found my personality not to their liking in the past. Admittedly, I am a "Type A" and have been too frank at times, but I'm trying to get better about that as I get older. But I digress. Yes, I can definitely vouch for Kenny. The guy is a true artist with cabinets, and is very passionate about his work. Because he is so good, he stays covered up in work. This is a sign that someone is very good at what they do - high demand for their services. So, yes, I would say please do take my word over eBay rating. It is impossible to please some people, and they are always too happy to leave neutral or negative feedback.

The cloth is great. Excellent quality. Like I said, I have seen it for myself as I have samples of each of the patterns I posted pictures of in my initial post in this thread.

One more thing, and one more reason to order from Kenny: He does not fold his cloth to the point that it leaves creases that you have to try to iron out (and hope that you can be successful in eliminating the creases), unlike the old Grillecloth.com or Radio Daze.

[Electrothaumaturgist]

Type "A", huh? You never told us you were assembled in Chicago...

[morzh]

Ron

You recommendation's good enough for me.

[TA Forbes]

CAREFUL, Mike.....

Next thing you know Ron will have you looking at Magnavox Radios and Philco 19/89s from a whole new perspective!!!!!!

[morzh]

Tom.

I am trusting, not gullible

[Geoff]

What is the story behind the different colors of his different Zenith block pattern cloth? From what i have read he has a "NEW Lighter Color". Did the original batch just come back to him too dark? Has anyone been able to physically examine both colors (original and new) side by side? Which one truly looks like the original?

- Geoff

[Ron Ramirez]

I *think* the original run did come back too dark.