Philco 38-116 console

I recently found a nice old Philco console. It's from 1938 and the model is 38-116. This is a 15 tube radio and it plays well on both am and shortwave. I am surprised at the sound quality of this radio on local am music stations. It's not as good as fm but better than my new Sony sourround system sounds on am.

[Kamakiri]

OOOoooooh! A 38-116X!

You've got probably what I would call the pinnacle of Philco radio, and probably antique radio in general in terms of sound and quality. I had one of those that I sadly sold before I ever had the chance to get working (needed the space )

The only thing that comes close IMO is the model 16, which predates your 1938 model by a couple years. In 1939 they came up with the "Mystery Control" gimmick, which sold well, but the sound quality doesn't even come close from what I understand.

Enjoy her! Be proud to know you have the best Philco ever made, and quite valuable as well.

[dingus]

Originally Posted by Kamakiri

In 1939 they came up with the "Mystery Control" gimmick, which sold well

would that be this? no affiliation, but i would think these are fairly rare, for craigslist anyway.

[Kamakiri]

Yep, that's a 39-116. Had one of those years ago. I never did get the "mystery control" working, but then again I never really tried

Nice sets

[wa2ise]

Originally Posted by Rock-Ola

I recently found a nice old Philco console. It's from 1938 and the model is 38-116.

If it hasn't already been done, all the wax caps in it should be replaced. See http://www.geocities.com/wa2ise/radios/repair.htm and http://www.antiqueradio.org/recap.htm though I would not try to remove all of teh old caps' leads from terminals on band switches or tube sockets. They are rather fragile and you don't really want to break a band switch. Just clip the old
lead and solder on the new. Practice on a junker tube radio first if you haven't done this before.