Second Stromberg Carlson 1935 7-Tube Tombstone Radio 61U
Beautiful deLuxe Tombstone "U" version of Stromberg Carlson's 1935 Model 61 Series
In a Nutshell
This is the second deLuxe tombstone radio 61U by Stromberg Carlson, that I came to restore. 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:
This is the second Stromberg Carlson 61U I restored, have a look at the first one at refs.1 and 3 (sold). 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). 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 (see my other SC 145-L for sale). 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. On request this radio will be equipped with a 3.5mm closed circuit phone plug 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).
About my radio:
Unlike the first one this radio did not have to be refinished, except the two very dark horizontal trims on the lower part; the radio has still its original decal. 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. This time on request I will add a closed circuit phone connector, that can be used also for CD, iPod, and mp3 devices. I treated all moving parts with contact spray. The radio plays loud and clear on AM/BC (it even receives SW stations), which is hard to demonstrate since we don't have AM stations anymore here in Chilliwack. This is why the youtube video (in preparation) mainly shows reception of a Silvertone wireless record player. Please
e-mail
me (Kris) for any questions, ich spreche Deutsch, je parle Français.