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Big_Hoss
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Post subject: Help needed to identify this Philco Posted: May Sun 12, 2019 2:46 am |
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Joined: May Sun 12, 2019 2:36 am Posts: 2
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I just got this from a friend. I’d love to restore it, but can’t find the model or info on it. The family believes it’s from the 1920’s.
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E471D03A-8B61-470A-A52A-2A33F8794106.jpeg [ 188.08 KiB | Viewed 1846 times ]
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6AFAC977-4AA4-4D6D-878B-93A050D16F6B.jpeg [ 208.04 KiB | Viewed 1846 times ]
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cwysong
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Post subject: Re: Help needed to identify this Philco Posted: May Sun 12, 2019 3:29 am |
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Joined: Oct Sun 05, 2008 6:47 am Posts: 1308 Location: Bothell, WA
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Looks like a 37-690 to me. Nice radio!
_________________ Chris
Looking for mid to late 1930s Canadian Rogers, Majestic, and DeForest Crosley radios
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egg
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Post subject: Re: Help needed to identify this Philco Posted: May Sun 12, 2019 3:30 am |
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Joined: Jan Tue 31, 2012 1:55 am Posts: 15349 Location: Mountains of Mourne. Ireland.
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radios2100
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Post subject: Re: Help needed to identify this Philco Posted: May Sun 12, 2019 3:53 am |
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Joined: Oct Sat 18, 2014 8:16 pm Posts: 1621 Location: Galena, Ohio
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Looks like the internals survived better than the external parts. They are great radios, and if you get the cabinet restored, it will look amazing. It's one of those Philco radios that has it's own unique style and look - nothing else like it. Have both the 37 and 38 models, and I really appreciate this 37 model more for it's uniqueness. To me, the 38-690, while attractive, isn't as unique when compared with other models from that year.
These also go for quite a bit of money if you get it fully restored. I waited a while to finally find one that was in excellent external condition before I finally pulled the trigger, and had to pay for it. Think mine was $1800.
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palegreenthumb
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Post subject: Re: Help needed to identify this Philco Posted: May Sun 12, 2019 7:00 pm |
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Joined: Apr Sun 01, 2012 9:55 pm Posts: 12167 Location: Seattle, WA
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Nothing like starting at the top, Big_Hoss!
If you're going to have just one antique radio, you may as well have the best one. With a 37-690 you're pretty much there.
-Rodney
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OldRestorer
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Post subject: Re: Help needed to identify this Philco Posted: May Sun 12, 2019 11:18 pm |
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Joined: Dec Sun 01, 2013 4:10 pm Posts: 9482 Location: Long Island NY
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Here I am looking for one and all I needed was to have a friend.  These are beautiful and deserve full treatments Hoss... If you are in NY near Long Island I can help you with the cabinet work. I cant do it but I can help you do it.. 
_________________ I'm not a hoarder.. I am a collector of piles of stuff. :)
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Big_Hoss
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Post subject: Re: Help needed to identify this Philco Posted: May Mon 13, 2019 4:09 pm |
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Joined: May Sun 12, 2019 2:36 am Posts: 2
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Thanks for all the input and information. I really appreciate it. Nothing like starting out with a great radio. I’m excited to get this going and restore it. I’m sure I’ll have all sorts of questions along the way. Thanks again everyone.
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Tommgb
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Post subject: Re: Help needed to identify this Philco Posted: May Thu 16, 2019 1:28 am |
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Joined: May Mon 30, 2011 10:12 pm Posts: 1513 Location: Glendale, CA
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Just to answer one of your questions, the "37" of the 37-690 is the model year of your radio. So, your radio is from 1937. And, to be clear: Don't plug your radio in just to see if it works. It might work a little bit, but it might also start a fire. Your 37-690 needs to be properly serviced with all the electrolytic and paper capacitors and out of tolerance resisters replaced, among other things. If you're at all competent doing this kind of work, there's lots of information here on how to do that.
I don't know what your woodworking skills are, but you should be able to find a lot of good information on the antique radio forum right here on how to properly restore this wonderful radio cabinet.
And finally, it's a good idea to put your location on your profile. It would be a lot easier to find someone in your area or even a radio club that's nearby.
Good luck, Tom
_________________ "A challenge to be met, rather than an obstacle to avoid." - Mr. Data
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radios2100
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Post subject: Re: Help needed to identify this Philco Posted: May Thu 16, 2019 1:32 am |
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Joined: Oct Sat 18, 2014 8:16 pm Posts: 1621 Location: Galena, Ohio
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Another point to make is to consider the 37 model year like a car. It was actually released in summer of 1936 for most of the 37-* models.
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westcoastjohn
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Post subject: Re: Help needed to identify this Philco Posted: May Thu 16, 2019 10:35 pm |
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Joined: Dec Sat 24, 2011 9:17 pm Posts: 7185 Location: Vancouver Island, Canada
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azenithnut
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Post subject: Re: Help needed to identify this Philco Posted: May Fri 17, 2019 12:29 am |
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Joined: Jan Mon 18, 2010 2:13 am Posts: 21708 Location: Dayton Ohio
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radios2100 wrote: Another point to make is to consider the 37 model year like a car. It was actually released in summer of 1936 for most of the 37-* models. Indeed, here is a list of the 1937 Philcos in the July 1936 issue of Radio Retailing. They didn't include the 37 prefix for some reason. The far right column is number of tubes. -Steve
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philco1937.jpg [ 40.76 KiB | Viewed 1496 times ]
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_________________ Radio Interests -Zenith -Sparton -Pre-War FM Consoles and floor models, the bigger, the better!
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Tommgb
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Post subject: Re: Help needed to identify this Philco Posted: May Fri 17, 2019 8:34 pm |
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Joined: May Mon 30, 2011 10:12 pm Posts: 1513 Location: Glendale, CA
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Wasn't 1937 the first year Philco put the model year in front of the model number? At the time that list was produced, maybe that "feature" had not yet been incorporated into Philco's radios.
Tom
_________________ "A challenge to be met, rather than an obstacle to avoid." - Mr. Data
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radios2100
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Post subject: Re: Help needed to identify this Philco Posted: May Fri 17, 2019 9:02 pm |
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Joined: Oct Sat 18, 2014 8:16 pm Posts: 1621 Location: Galena, Ohio
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Tommgb wrote: Wasn't 1937 the first year Philco put the model year in front of the model number? That is correct, that was the first model year for the prefix.
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