[Greg]

I'm planning on ordering grill cloth for a 37-116, a 116B and a 16B. I'm soliciting opinions.

I seem to have two choices, neither of which have I've seen in person:
1) https://www.radiodaze.com/grille-cloth-0...c03-18x25/
2) https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Radio-S...3977291267

The 37-116 and 116B have the same grill cloth pattern. I'm leaning toward the Radio Daze cloth for these. I think I need three pieces of this to cover both radios. The 37-116 needs two (one for the center and one for the two sides).

For the 16B I'm thinking the 2nd one, Richmond Designs, the better match.

Just needs new grill cloth, good original finish. Needs electrical restoration. Number 1 in the queue...
   

Needs to be refinished and electrically restored. Maybe #2 in the queue...
   

Needs new veneer on top and sides and electrically restored. Maybe #40   in the queue...
   

[Nathan Slingerland]

In terms of color I think I agree with you.

Overall I like the Richmond Designs chevron cloth a bit better. I found the texture and sheen was a closer match to the original than the RadioDaze cloth - at least for my 29CSX:

[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/4905...1ddb_c.jpg]

The Radio Daze cloth looks good too (I used it on my 116X) - but is more of a matte sheen and a bit thicker:

[Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/4615/25974...ccd1_c.jpg]

Also just to throw it in - an earlier discussion about Philco chevron grille cloth:
https://philcoradio.com/phorum/showthread.php?tid=6245

[rfeenstra]

I just installed the Richmond cloth in my 37-116.  It is not the same as the original. but then, neither is the Radio Daze.  The Richmond cloth is, I think, closer but, IMHO, is too dark.  It's hard to see the chevron when standing back.  Here are some comparison photos with the original cloth.  You can see the Radio Daze cloth on the left is closer to the faded part of the original.  The Richmond cloth on the right is closer to the un-faded original.  If I were to do it again, I'd probably use the Radio Daze cloth if I could get it wide enough for the 37-116 (18" is not wide enough to cover the whole sound board.)  Richmond was willing to cut me a piece much wider so that I could cover the board.  Perhaps Radio Daze would too.

           

[Phlogiston]

Keep in mind that if you try to cover all three speaker cutouts with one piece of cloth - the 2 smaller areas, left and right, should have the chevron centered in the openings. I have never found a single piece that would accomplish that.

[rfeenstra]

Correct Russ. I made frames out of thin aluminum and attached the cloth to them for the 2 small openings. These were fastened to the inside of the cabinet before the sound board was installed.

[Phlogiston]

That cloth is darker/lighter depending on the viewing angle and the angle of the light source. So it is hard to compare.

[Greg]

OK

If I assume the unexposed portion of old cloth is the original color, then the Richmond cloth is, as far as I can tell from the photos, a closer match in color, texture and sheen. Radio Daze seems to have matched to the color of the aged cloth. Still to me Radio Daze is a closer match since I've never seen a new 37-116.

Both clothes are "inverted" versions of the original, dark undivided stripe and a light divided stripe.

Maybe I'll flip a coin. Neither would look awful.

Buy the way is there anything I should know about removing the speaker other than that it looks pretty heavy?

[rfeenstra]

YES!  There is a diffuser cone mounted to the sound board.  If you are not careful, you can easily damage the speaker cone by hitting the diffuser in the removal process.  Keep the speaker as far back from the sound board as possible as you move the speaker around the mounting board.

[Phlogiston]

You can damage it even if you are careful. As I recall, the chassis shelf and brace (back of cabinet) are such that pulling the speaker strait back is impossible. So you must tilt the speaker back on top or the bottom to clear the shelf. Make minimum movements on the X and Y axis (you have only about 4" of lateral and vert. space before the wooden cone impacts the paper cone).

   

[Michael Katz]

Hi guys.   Michael Katz here.   I just got in the cloth for the Philco 16B   "V" pattern  (finally!).  Since I don't own any of the V pattern Philcos, I would need some guidance as to how big to cut the cloth, for the 2 sizes I think are needed for the various sets.    I would need to cut it big enough to cover the opening plus maybe 1" additional on every side. 
Will post all 5 of the new patterns on my website soon.       Thanks.

[Ron Ramirez]

Michael,

Thank you for continuing to make grille cloth available to us collectors!

I don't own a 37-116 (which would likely need the largest piece of cloth). Actually, I only have one Philco console that uses that pattern - it is a 37-675X De Luxe, and I'll be a customer when you're ready to sell the cloth. I can measure it either this evening or tomorrow (having a brief medical test this afternoon).

The cloth is also used in many Philco tombstone sets (16B, 116B, 660B, 650B, 640B, etc., etc.) which would necessitate a smaller cloth, of course.

Come on, guys, please measure the sound board of your 37-116 and other Philco models using this pattern and post the measurements here so Michael can see them.

Oh, and don't forget, Michael's website is:
https://www.radiogrillecloth.com/

[radiorich]

Hello Ron,
is that cloth used in Philco 610b I can see what size mine used.

Michael that is great news thank you for all your hard work !

I do have a Few Zenith radios like my model 715 and model 908 which will need new grille cloth .

Sincerely Richard

[sam]

I don’t see it on his site yet 

But I have a 37-116 but it’s in my ny home that’s 5 hr away
So if any one can give him measurements 
I would appreciate it
I would buy 2 or 3 extra just for spare 
Wife has mean cats

Sam

[RodB]

The board on my 650 console is 12-3/4" x 20-1/2".

[Radioroslyn]

Think the set that uses the most is the 201X. Center section is 14"w x 23"L and two pieces 7"w x 22"L. But back to the question at hand.

1934 16B peaked top
10 3/4"w x 14"L
The 1936 116B early is pretty much the same size. The late '36 is smaller.

116X
12"w x 24"L center section and two 10"x10" for clairifers.

37-116X
18" w x 24" L center section and two 10"x10" for clairifers.
These are hard to measure as they are covered by another board that the speaker is mounted to. Can't really see it.

Generally these measurements are edge to edge.