You are forgetting something, these set are basically one tube wonder They have a three inch speaker, if you wanted a great sounding set you get a Magnavox, or Zenith

@@jonvincentmusic These record players were designed and manufactured to a price. Being far from Hi-fi, at best they were fairly reliable units, and generally produced a pleasing sound. Moreover, they were aimed to satisfy demand from a particular section of the market. For example, when compared to the majority of younger people born before WW2, the ‘boomer generation’ onwards, having reached working age, very likely earned higher wages and salaries, so tended to be the greater proportion of the consumers who owned those type of record player, and more than likely played charts music records on them. Their parents, like mine for example, played different styles of music on often expensive, usually better sounding, stereograms. Those record players, and other brands within the range, adequately fulfilled what they were intended.

Hi Tom, Thank you for getting in touch. Having moved house, I don’t have a workshop at present. The annoying thing is I have, at a conservative estimate, 150, possibly closer to 200 Vintage Radios, and nineteen pre-1960 monochrome televisions, still in their raw unrestored condition. They are taking up space where I planned to erect a temporary work area. At present, I’m working on a solution - might have to move at least half the radios on, and possibly do the same with a few of the larger televisions before I can think about erecting a bench. For sure, I genuinely miss sitting at a bench repairing/restoring old radios - it kind of kept me going LOL! Once again, thank you for getting in touch. Hope to be back on KZbin with a few more old beauties sometime in 2023. All the best from Phil.

​@@steelcity321pb6 ...Phil, just read your reply to this fellow concerned viewer, just like to say, from myself, hope you and yours are well, you have been on many an occasion an inspiration for my passion of valve radios and their restoration, so yes, hope you are well, take care 👍👍

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Hi, Thank you for dropping by my friend. Bare in mind, the type of replacement cartridge I used have their limitations. Installing might not be straightforward, and the level of audio volume and sound quality might also be compromised. The positive side: they don’t cost much to buy, and they are fairly easy to obtain online. Phil

@@steelcity321pb6 i have a mounting clip from a varco tn4b which those fit very nicely and it had a hole in the center

Thank you my friend.

I've just bartered plants for a broken 1964 Philco Record Player & Radio in a wooden cabinet. Your video gave me the courage to have a go at fixing it :) (There are signs of life so it could be possible)

Hi, Thank you for your interest my friend. Performance-wise, this STC radio is very good. STC, under the brand name Kolster Brands, was based in Footscray, Kent. They too produced a number of excellent performing radios and televisions. I understand what you say about the style of the cabinet. When all is considered, it’s another rectangular wooden box but since overseas Vintage Radios are not plentiful here in the UK, one has little choice but to accept what is on offer. It completes my overseas Vintage Radio reconditioning theme for the present. Radio cabinet work is definitely not one of my strong-points LOL. Cheers my friend, Phil

Hi Chris, Thank you for dropping by my friend. I purchased this radio here in the UK. I don’t know how it came to be here, but it’s dial was littered with those small diamond-shaped decals that enable listeners to locate their favourite radio stations a little more easily. Since they were positioned where a few prominent BBC stations are positioned, I guess it was in used here in the UK for a good number of years. I decided to keep my overseas theme going for one more radio. I’ve now reconditioned two American radios, along with one from New Zealand; one from France, and one from Australia. These radios help split my radio display which is around 95% British - they kind of add a little more interest LOL. Once again, thank you for your time and interest, best regards, Phil

Hi Dave, thanks for dropping by my friend. I don’t know the actual history of this radio but judging by a load of tiny diamond-shaped station marker decals that was set along the dial glass where British radio stations are to be located, I guess this radio has been here in England, and was in operation for a good number of years. Retaining the Earth, and Aerial tags definitely help to keep this radio looking as authentic as is possible. When talking about valve biasing, it is a very involved subject. However, what I'll write below will decimate that subject, or be regarded as sacrilege, and doubtless I’ll come across as being somewhat vacuous LOL, due to the fact I do not have sufficient space to write anything close to being a comprehensive response to your question - but here goes: Now R16, 47K, is a grid stopper resistor. We have to see what it does. It prevents high frequency parasitic oscillations. In terms of the Miller effect, if we consider the magnification of the effect of capacitance between anode and grids, also between anode and cathode, and cathode and grids etc. In effect the internal capacitance of the valve is similar to a R C low pass filter. Consequently each capacitance takes current as the valve is operating, and can affect the inverted gain, and grid biasing. A grid stopper also attenuates RF from entering the control grid of amplification. It can also limit the current (restricting grid 1 from becoming positive) when applied to the control grid, therefore reducing overload. You are also correct, R10, 300ohm, provides 12.5volts above zero voltage. The 6CH6 audio output valve is has a 12.5 volt potential between its cathode and zero volts. It is therefore biased but the grid stopper resistor has influence upon the biasing in the sense the usual four resistances associated with a single-end audio output (anode load [anode dissipation could be took into account here], cathode, grid stopper, and grid leak) will affect its performance. So, a grid stopper resistor will have effect upon, or influence the bias. Applying shaving cream sounds intriguing. I might give that one a go on a small area of an old pair of my scruffy jeans. If it has a positive effect upon those, there’s little, or no reason why it shouldn’t work the same on speaker cloth. Once again my friend, thank you for your interest. As you know, I always look forward to seeing your videos. All the best from Phil.

@@steelcity321pb6 Thank you Phil for taking the time to explain that for me, I hadn't realised the grid stopper had other functions as well as controlling spurious RF signals from entering the grid. Your explanation was clear and concise and helps me better understand how these contraptions work, something I struggle with. Thank you and take care Phil 👍

Thank you Ron. I decided to remain with the overseas theme with one more radio - they tend to make a change from working on the usual British radios. I’ve now completed two American radios; along with one from New Zealand, one from France, and one from Australia. The metal Earth and Aerial wire tags are made from very thin gauge tinplate mild steel. I’m surprised they have remained on their respective wires. Since they are still with the radio, I felt it was right to keep them in situ. I look forward to seeing your new project. It will be all the more exciting when both you and Brendan are in on the act - so to speak LOL. Once again, thank you for dropping by my friend, Phil

Thank you my friend. I always feel fulfilled having produced something that is appreciated by others. Best regards, Phil.

Faq

To let you into a secret, it wasn’t the electronics part of this radio that first attracted me to it - that came later after restoration; it was its wooden cabinet. I very much like this radio. It both looks good, and it performs brilliantly. It’s a superb addition to my collection. Cheers Noel, Phil.

Hi Dave, Although I like this radio very much, it still has a few major issues - largely relating to its front speaker grill, dial housing, and rear covers: mechanically and electronically it is sound. As I indicated in the video, I’m prepared to live with its present defects since it is the only French radio I own. Yes, you are right when you say the front speaker grill and dial housing arrangement would pose a serious challenge to reproduce but I have reasonable faith 3D technology will continue to advance during the next decade, therefore making a replica more feasible. Though I have two British radio restoration videos in the pipeline, I also have an Australian radio on the ‘video to do’ list. Yes, I’ve managed to get my hand upon an Australian manufactured valve radio: quite likely from the second half of the 1950s - and it looks to be a good-un. All will hopefully be revealed later on this year - so stand by to stand by LOL. Thanks Dave: keep safe buddy, all the best from Phil.

@@steelcity321pb6 I'm impatient for the Aussie radio Phil. If you need parts just ask 👍 My contact email: [email protected]

Thank you my friend. Though this radio still has a few cabinet related issues, it nonetheless is now electronically, as well as mechanically sound. Stay safe, Phil.

Hi Chris, A Brit repairing a French Vintage Radio, and uploading it to KZbin is rather novel. I felt compelled to do so because it is the only example there is of a French radio in my collection. There are a few radios from various countries I would like to own, such as Italy, Poland, Denmark, Spain, India, South Africa, as well as a few other countries of interest. As overseas radios go, American, Swedish, and German radios are very well represented in my collection. The reason for two ferrite rods: one is for Long Wave, and the other is for Medium Wave. The centre fixing nut capacitors are fairly common on European radios; a few Australian types, as well as a few Canadian, American, and New Zealand radios. They are also seen on a few British radios. They are, for example, fitted on a few 1930s HMV/Marconi radios; they are fitted to a few of the minor radio manufacture brands of the 1930s, such as Lotus, and Sunbeam. There are two or three models of Graves (a radio marque associated with Sheffield) incorporating those types of capacitors. Not all of the same model of Graves radios incorporate the centre fixing nut capacitors since Graves did not manufacture radios (they were a catalogue company). Their radios were designed, and made by other companies. If my memory serves me correctly a few Pegasus radios also incorporated those types of capacitors (Pegasus were a Leeds radio manufacturer of the 1930s). The tuning is standard three and a half to one ratio via drive cord arranged around tuning shaft, pullies, and tuning capacitor drum. The valve symbol drawn sideways is mostly seen on European radio circuit diagrams. The biggest gripe I have with expensive ‘quality’ wax polish relate to finger marks. Expensive polishes almost always give a superb lustre but if touched (even lightly) after spending time polishing, it leaves unsightly finger marks. Nice talking to you my friend. Al the very best, Phil.

@@steelcity321pb6 Thanks for the explanation on those capacitors very interesting. Regards Chris

I’m sure your TRF radio is progressing nicely. It will be sound, and perform lovely when fixing is complete. Phil.

Thank you my friend.

🙋 Hi Garry, how are you and your folks getting along in these Corvid uncertain times? Here, strong, sharp icy ❄️ winds are blowing down from the Arctic Circle, and it is freezing. The Radialva radio would be absolutely lovely if it’s from plastic speaker grill, dial housing, finger panel, and rear covers weren’t in the poor condition they are in at present. I believe, with the aid of none too distant future technology it will be pretty much commonplace to produce virtual replicas of those defective parts I’ve mentioned, as well as parts like them anywhere in our home. Who would have thought, say some 40 years ago we’d have access to desktop publishing, and photocopying in our home? It is now possible, with the aid of a 3D printer to reproduce plastic parts. All it requires is imagination, and the technical know how! Here, BBC Radio 4, after the midnight news, and shipping weather forecast, become the BBC World Service, and remains so until the start of the 06:00 new briefing. I too enjoy listening to BBC Radio 4 Extra. Like you have noted, there are lots of old comedy programmes available that were produced solely for radio listening - many of which I remember hearing when I was a child. My pal Brendan, the chap who lives close to Detroit, put me onto WEMU Eastern Michigan University, 89.1 VHF, Washtenaw County - I presume that is close to, or part of Ann Arbour. If you 😊 enjoy listening to jazz, and blues, you will love this radio station - that is if you are not already familiar. I also love listening in to NPR News. Much of America’s National, as well as International news in pretty close to the new we listen to here in the UK 🇬🇧. In fact, on a few occasions I’ve heard news pertaining to England via American news networks before hearing the same, or similar on English news networks! And without doubt! Every Sunday afternoons my wife and I love ❤️ listening to WGXI, Love 98.5 VHF, from Plymouth, Wisconsin. I too remember as a kid taping pop music from out television, and radiogram with my dad’s Grundig TK820 (from mid-1950s) tape recorder - it was good fun! Lovely chatting with you my friend, take good care, Phil.

Hi Ron, Yes, it would be lovely to hear how you and your folks are getting along in these uncertain times. I sincerely hope you are all doing fine! I guess it would not be too many years ago, this Radialva radio would likely have been deemed as BER! It’s front speaker grill, with its dial housing, and its back and under cover are in poor condition, but I have to treat this radio thriftily since it is the only French radio I own. At least it is now electronically, as well as mechanically sound. To let you into a wee secret 🤫, I too like those Pye Piper P116U radios: their circuit diagram is easy to follow, and they are straightforward to keep functional. Those wee radios were not as ‘rubbish’ as most service techs would have us believe; so they weren’t! Don’t tell anyone I told you this otherwise they will start laughing at me LOL 😂🤣😎 Stones, and Pink Floyd - yer, they’re definitely okay 👍 Kinks, and Who - nah! Not for me LOL. A bit of Jethro Tull, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Grand Funk Railroad, Kiss, Little Feet, Guns ‘n’ Roses, Buckcherry, Aerosmith, Lenny Kravitz, Sex Pistols are a wholesome bunch of rock bands! I have to say that Justin Johnson has to be one of the best contemporary Blues guitarists, followed by Jo Bonamassa. If you are not familiar, check them out. Cheers my friend, Phil.