[ODPILOT]

I like this model.  My parents had this exact model with the Blonde color when I grew up on Brooklyn. They bought it new in 1953.  I bought this  one in South Florida, the finish was worn and had some water damage.  There is an old wasp nest in the phonograph area.  Someone had wired the power for the phonograph motor directly into the A/C cord.  The whole thing was a mess.   I cleaned up the radio, rewired the phonograph properly,  replaced all the CAPS, new tubes, and completely sanded down the finish.  There is no current blonde colored wood stain that would match the original on this model.  So I went to a local paint sore, purchased a blonde stain and some other color stains and experimented with mixing different proportions and finally came up with the EXACT combination of stains that would produce the original blonde color on this Philco 53-1750.  I stained it, then put on a clear coat of lacquer.  Looks like new.  I retrofit a modern new needle in the phonograph  - which has awesome, quiet sound except for the scratches in my father's old records.   Cheers.