In a Nutshell
Of the 11 models of Stromberg Carlson's 1935/36 61 series, the deLuxe tombstone version U is by far the most appealing one. The heavy cabinet made from six different wood tones gives the powerful 7-tube chassis and the large 8" field coil speaker the adequate home to show off their superior fidelity

Introduction:
Stromberg Carlson in the early 1930's was a power house for technical innovation, similar to Philco and Zenith. They had a division called Te-Lek-Tor division whose task was to wire whole houses into entertainment centers equipped with amplifiers in closets, hidden speakers and controlled by wired remotes (picture 38 and ref.1). Console models 55 and 56 from 1933/34 could be bought with this remote system built-in. The question is why in 1935/36 this system was not offered anymore, and consoles were equipped instead with the "Acoustical Labyrinth" speaker system. Anyway the series 61 came in 11 versions (six consoles L, LB, LL, N, W, Z, two table radios H, Y, and three tombstones T, TB, U). The U is no doubt the prettiest of them all, with its fluted moldings, recessed panels, 45 degree panels and the variety of wood tones. All models as well as the 58 and 60 series used the same knobs, the hardest to get being the "Mexican Hat" tuning knob, whose octagonal shape nicely matches the octagonal back-lit white "Triple Range" dial, also used in all these models, and the band selector lever switch made from brass.
The 8" field coil speaker is complementing a powerful 7-tube chassis. My radio features a phono input allowing also to connect other devices like CD- and mp3 players. As most of my radios this set is now in the inventory of radiomuseum.org (ref.2).

Additional information:
   ref. 1:    http://www.otrr.org/FILES/Magz_pdf/Radio%20Index/Radio_Index_3303.pdf, page 11
   ref. 2:    http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/stromberg_61u.html
   ref. 3:    http://youtu.be/0eOMkPBD3UQ

About my radio:
The radio has been refinished (see pict. 28) as authentically as possible, and the decal replaced. It has all three of its original wooden knobs, and the original band lever switch, the glass dial lens, speaker and speaker cloth also being original. The radio exhibits contemporary metal tubes. A former owner had added a RCA jack switch for phono, that today can be used also for CD, iPod, and mp3 devices (see youtube video [ref.3] or click on pict.39).
I treated all moving parts with contact spray. The radio plays loud and clear on AM/BC (it even receives SW stations), and plays back a transistor radio on FM, and a mp3 player (see youtube video [ref.3] or click on pict.39). Please e-mail me (Kris) for any questions, ich spreche Deutsch, je parle Français.

Here are the specifications:

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