Stromberg Carlson 1936 10-Tube Console Radio Model 145-L
Beautiful Console Radio Model 145-L, made by Stromberg Carlson in 1936, cousin of the ultra-rare 145-P skyscraper radio, in excellent and working condition
In a Nutshell
Psychoacoustic Prof. Amar Bose [1929-2013] reinvented Benjamin Olney's "Acoustical Labyrinth" from 1936 half a century later, called it "Acoustic Waveguide" and commercialized it even more shrewdly than Stromberg Carlson. Here's the real thing
Introduction: Stromberg Carlson is traditionally known for their high-end radios. Here we have a 1936 (Canadian) model of the 145 series (145-L) , which includes also the extremely rare "skyscraper" model 145-P with the same chassis (ref.6) . The very dense front escutcheon hosts the 4 bands, including a rare Long Wave band, a band spread dial, rare indicators for volume and tone control, and their "tri-focal" tuning help (magic eye). The design is ornate like for the skyscraper or 1935 table sets like the 61-U, also for sale.
The prominent feature of the radio is its "Acoustical Labyrinth" speaker environment (refs.1,2), which reminds us more than of its inventor Benjamin Olney, of late Prof. Amar Bose, who reinvented it half a century later, called it "Acoustic Waveguide" and flogged it even more successfully ("I never went into business to make money") than Stromberg Carlson then (ref.3). It sounds great and has no "boom", though, whatever the quite complicated "psychoacoustical" (Bose) theory behind may be (ref.1). High-fidelity control, was pioneered by Philco and Stromberg Carlson, by mechanically adjusting the bandwidth of IF filters (here two, see pict.32) of their top of the line
sets. A wide open bandwith enhances especially music reception on AM/BC.
Additional information:
ref. 1: http://www.scribd.com/doc/122425947/the-acoustical-labyrinth-olney
ref. 2: http://www.analogplanet.com/content/dr-amar-bose-dead-83
ref. 3: http://www.antiqueradio.com/Sep06_Schecter_Choose.html
ref. 4: http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/stromberg_145l.html
ref. 5: http://antiqueradios.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=121367
ref. 6: http://www.radiolaguy.com/Showcase/Console/Stromberg_Carlson-145P.htm About my radio:
The radio is all-original, including the speaker cloth, all wooden and individually named knobs (one repaired), the 10 inch field coil speaker, as well as all parts of the labyrinth. The radio has its original finish with only slight imperfections of the top and original decal, exhibits a mint chassis with uncorroded black crystal paint finish (pict.29), contemporary metal tubes (pict.40), and a perfectly gain matched pair of 6L6 power pentodes, that are used in push-pull configuration to produce about 20 Watt music power. A very bright NOS/NIB 6E5 magic eye tube has been installed too. I treated all moving parts with contact spray. The radio plays loud and clear. Please
e-mail
me (Kris) for any questions, ich spreche Deutsch, je parle Français.
Q$A's:
Q: do you know what type of wood veneer that is on this cabinet, specifically the top sides and the front corners (the marble looking stuff), I have one of these and need to replace veneer on top right side and I am by no means a wood expert A: I am not a wood specialist either, and therefore called it as made from "multi-tone" wood. When I look at it it seems to use 7 different veneers, at least two different wood sorts and possibly a number of different stains. To me the radio looks like a "Gesamtkunstwerk" (total work of art), especially the front part around the dial and the knobs (pict.s 10-12), where the two symmetric pieces of veneer continuously flow from a figured grain structure on top to a scrotch pattern at the bottom, a beautiful selection, made from what - good question - to me it looks like mahogany. The Skyscraper 145P uses quilted maple and dark walnut contrasts, with suggestions it may be African hardwoods like Makure or Sappele. Any more suggestions welcome.
