[theblurrrr]

Just wanted to let you know I bought the 509X that recently showed up on eBay. I'll pick it up hopefully this weekend. As a Phorum member, I'll contact the Phorum if I have any questions.
Perhaps it's time to start selling some of the many big Philcos I have around here.

[signaltracer]

Congratulations! I look forward to seeing some pictures as you have opportunity.

Charlie

[BDM]

Yes, me to I'm sure the rest of us would also appreciate some feedback on this set.

[theblurrrr]

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[theblurrrr]

Does anyone have any ads or owner's literature for the 509X? And by the way, what is that little toggle switch at the top right of the control panel for? I know that the knob on the top left is for phono tone control.

Does anyone have a copy of Service Bulletin 165-E?

BTW, this radio works great!!

Thanks in advance!

[philco phan]

are you kidding me?????
a CRANE!!!???? that thing must weigh several tons!!!!!!!!
what did that cost?????????

[theblurrrr]

Just having a bit of fun

Actually, the cost was free since my neighbor has the boom truck. But the 509X is very heavy and difficult to maneuver, so we did this instead of risking damage on the concrete steps leading to the front door.

[signaltracer]

That's one beautiful Philco. Thank you for posting the pictures. It would be neat to see the changer in operation; never saw one like that.

Charlie

[theblurrrr]

Thanks Charlie--

Actually, this one does work, although I'm looking for the service information to tune it up. When this changer rejects a record, it picks it up by the edge and flips it like a Frisbee down the chute to the left! I can see a lot of destroyed records in short order.

[Fred R]

The changers in these are fun. I have little interest in drop changers from 1938 on. I have collected and repaired early ones like the Philco's changer. Most were made by GI but they originally were made by Packard and affiliated with Homer Capehart who owned Packard manufacturing. I have one of these changers in a 1936 Liberty Music Shops portable which has a magazine that folds out to catch the records. I use it alot and it has never broken or chipped any records. The only "critical" part is the dashpot that lowers the arm slowly. When it doesn't work proper, the arm will drop fast and can ruin the pickup and/or record. Using Neetsfoot oil on the dashpot restores the operation.

I know another 509X out in the Oakland area. I have photos here of it.

Fred R

[signaltracer]

Ok, Fred, educate me: What's "GI" as refers to changers?

I agree that drop changers are boring.

Charlie

[Fred R]

GI is General Industries. The company was based out of Ohio. These changers were originally made by Packard Manufacturing. This is the famed changer that Homer Capehart, after being let go by his own company, approached Wurlitzer with the changer for their line of radios. They were not that interested but told Capehart they were interested in a selectable changer for the coin operated machines they planned to build. He brought them the "Simplex" changer which became part of the Wurlitzer P-10 jukebox of 1933. He maintained control of Packard while becoming VP of Wurlitzer from 1934 to 1940. Somewhere his ejector changer became part of General Industries and were made to around 1939. There were two versions of the changer. The Philco used the larger one that could change 10 or 12 inch records. They made a smaller one that could change 10 inch automatically but played 12 inch discs manually. I have a 1934 Sparton with the 10 inch version in it. The Magnavox Regent coming has the same changer as the Philco 509X except it has a straight Astatic arm with crystal pickup. The pickup on my Sparton and the 509X is a horseshoe magnetic pickup made by Webster Electric. The 509X I heard sounded great. It uses the Philco 201X chassis in it.

Fred

[signaltracer]

Thank you, Fred!