Gutted TOTL 1960 Philco H-1916 in Mahogany Indianapolis

[macgolf]

I was moderately excited to see a listing for a Mahogany H-1916 a couple of hours away until I checked the listing. I know it happens, but this looked well cared for. There is an EBAY listing for a pair of Burgandy satellites about an hour south of Indy though that could be coincidental. If it were free and close I would probably give it a home.

Mark

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 70dae446ec

[William]

That is a beautiful piece of furniture, Mark, and the same model as yours but in my opinion the price is kind of high considering the electronics are missing. I sure hope the owners do not toss it when no one wants to pay that price for an empty cabinet but that's probably what will happen.

Bill

[macgolf]

Agreed, Bill. Perhaps the price will eventually be lowered to encourage some who could "upgrade" it with modern components. It does have cutouts for a pair of 12" drivers and the built in satellite shelves could house a pair of small speakers. Even at free, I'm not sure I would have the patience to source the components to bring it back to original.

The squared off front panels of the mahogany H-1916 is interesting, compared to my provincial stained unit.

Mark

[William]

I'm curious, Mark, there are two lids on the H1916. I presume one contains the record changer and the other for record storage. Also, what does the decal under the controls say? Whether it's your cabinet style and finish, or the one listed, they are both handsome units and I can see why you have one in your collection.

Thanks,
Bill

[macgolf]

Bill,

The right 2/3 door gets access to the changer, the right sat and record storage. The left door is just to gain access to the satellite should someone wish to remote locate it. There is a shelf built in behind that sat, possibly just for extra ventilation space for the amp. Pics do a much better job with descriptions. Also included a front photo of what it would look like with electronics. There is a small light to illuminate the stencilled plastic covered faceplate. If I have one small nitpick, it is the unfinished nature of the sat storage areas. I'm not sure if it left the factory like that. These pics go back to when I 1st brought it home.

Mark

[electra225]

Mark, what year would that cabinet be from? You may have already shared that, but I must have missed it....

[William]

Thanks, Mark, now I understand how it was designed. I took a look at Radiomuseum to read some specs on your Philco. I found this and now I'm wondering how they fit the 2X10 speaker in the satellite speakers, they must be very thin.

speaker enclosure contains Qty(1) 2"x10' Elliptical PM speaker and Qty(1) "P" type electrostatic speaker.

I hate to ask, but do you have photos of your Philco with the back off so we can see the amp and tuner?

Thanks Mark,
Bill

[hermitcrab]

Bill, not to hijack this thread , but did you see the VM in portage for 35 bucks? just before this post? that is about a 50 mile run for you ....

[William]

I did see it, but by the time I did see it, it said sold. I guess it was not meant to be which is ok, I have plenty of VM's anyway. Thanks Elton.

Bill

[Motorola minion]

Those controls and tuner are all crammed into my H1814 with the GS record changer, a CL bargain at $20. Later, I was relieved to find satellite speakers on EB for $120 but I haven't restored it yet.

PHILCO power! I wish we would see more of these locally, here its so close to where they were made!

The Phonogram series was Philco's last good consoles, unless there is a 61-64 model with P-P outputs, this was the best you could get.

[macgolf]

Here's a rear photo. The sats are pretty thin at 5" deep and 12" tall. Not sure if the 2 x 10" mid was designed just for these sats or if they were already being used elsewhere.

The Philco Phorum only goes through 1960 and that is where they show the H series in their catalog. I recall seeing sales for magazine print ads for this model with fall of 59 dates, so that fits. I think Ford bought Philco out of bankruptcy in late 61 so the H series might be the pinnacle for them as far as consoles.

The pre(Control Center) in this is pretty basic with a single 7025 tube mounted on a pcb. You can see it jutting out right above the RT-400.

Mark

[William]

Thanks Mark. I'm impressed with the size of the output transformers, they look like OPT you find on a Fisher or Pilot, higher end stuff. and the woofers have substantial magnets. I guess at 5" thick there is room for a 2X10 speaker. The photo makes the sat. look much thinner. You have a true treasure in your Philco, so keep it under lock and key because you never know when a console thief might sneak in and take it.

Bill

[macgolf]

Thanks Bill. My father was the parts manager for Ford dealerships for close to 20 years and I had Philcos in my 1st cars. I do treasure it since it was also from my birth year.

I meant to include this photo(not mine) of the insides of the satellites for perspective. Radiomuseum has more at this link.
https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/philco_el ... eaker.html

Mark

[TC Chris]

Thanks Mark. I'm impressed with the size of the output transformers, they look like OPT you find on a Fisher or Pilot, higher end stuff. and the woofers have substantial magnets.

Until I saw Bill's comment I was going to ask, "Are those OPTs way off on the right?" They are substantial.

Chris Campbell

[William]

So that's what they look like on the inside, and that is the narrowest speaker I have ever seen. Thanks for sharing the link.

Bill

[walyfd]

That cabinet looks like late 40s to early 50s. The style is very conservative but the components look top rate.