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1 of 1- Richard Baker
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- From: Kenilworth, Warwickshire, Engl
- Registered: 20/11/2010
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Something completely different
Anyone who has heard recordings of Bing's "Philco" radio shows from 1946 to 1949 (or can possibly even remember them!), will know that he and Ken Carpenter, the regular announcer, would extol the virtues of the latest Philco radios and phonographs. At least one of the products was actually called "The Bing Crosby", the model 1201.
In browsing around the internet I came across a technical forum covering the restoration of one of these antiques, complete with photos
In some ways even more fascinating, there are links to other articles about the complete rebuild of a Philco crystal pickup cartridge used in these models. A matter of going to extreme lengths to achieve a pristine piece of 1940s electronics.
One for the technically erudite!
When restored I hope it will be used to play appropriate records on it, but short of an additional time machine I doubt they will pick up fitting radio broadcasts.
- Malcolm Macfarlane
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Re: Something completely different
Greg Van Beek has restored many antique radios. When I visited him some years ago, I was able to play a 78 on his 1201. You just push the record in and it plays.
- Richard Baker
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Re: Something completely different
Malcolm Macfarlane wrote:
Greg Van Beek has restored many antique radios. When I visited him some years ago, I was able to play a 78 on his 1201. You just push the record in and it plays.
It sounds pretty well like some CD players, 65 plus years ago!
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Thread Starter- Azteca
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Re: Something completely different
Funny you should post this, Richard. I was reading Bing magazine and saw the Philco 1201 ad with Bing and got to Googling. I fell down the rabbit hole of eBay's vintage radio section and am currently "watching" several auctions for interesting radios.
However, unlike the fellow you linked to, my plan is to buy a radio in decent cosmetic shape, pull out the (likely non-functional) guts, replace them with a very cheap and efficient amp like a Lepai 2020 ($24! ) that provides decent sound and enough power, buy a small speaker () and use it to hook up iPods, my phone (which can of course stream the radio) and similar.
I'm a young fellow so I don't mind the technical aspects and I work with audio technology every day.
I am not in dire need of additional speakers, including small or Bluetooth ones, but I think I would like to do it just as a project and then give it to my grandparents, parents or sibling.
Also, I would seriously not trust a 1201, restored or otherwise, with my records!
Last edited by Azteca (06/11/2014 4:37 pm)
- Richard Baker
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Re: Something completely different
Talking of Philco Radios -
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