Majestic (Grigsby-Grunow) Model 44B "Duo-Chief" Table Radio (1933)
This Majestic 44B is a neat and very collectible
mini-tombstone radio featuring a brushed aluminium
grille and dial area. A stylish cabinet and a pair of
machine-age knobs completes the picture.
The cabinet houses a 4-tube dual-band
superheterodyne chassis, with coverage from 535 -
1530kc and 1470-3500kc. Tube line-up is 6A7-S
(mixer/LO), 6F7-S triode/pentode (IF amp/2nd
detector), 41 (AF power amp), 6Z5 (rectifier). It is ac
powered with the power transformer mounted below
the chassis. Although the manufacturer,
Grigsby-Grunow, claimed the equivalent of 6-tube
performance, this is somewhat of a stretch! The
circuit provides no AGC and has no dedicated first
stage of AF amplification, as might normally be
mini-tombstone radio featuring a brushed aluminium
grille and dial area. A stylish cabinet and a pair of
machine-age knobs completes the picture.
The cabinet houses a 4-tube dual-band
superheterodyne chassis, with coverage from 535 -
1530kc and 1470-3500kc. Tube line-up is 6A7-S
(mixer/LO), 6F7-S triode/pentode (IF amp/2nd
detector), 41 (AF power amp), 6Z5 (rectifier). It is ac
powered with the power transformer mounted below
the chassis. Although the manufacturer,
Grigsby-Grunow, claimed the equivalent of 6-tube
performance, this is somewhat of a stretch! The
circuit provides no AGC and has no dedicated first
stage of AF amplification, as might normally be
expected of a 6-tube
super-heterodyne
design of this era.
Waveband selection is
accomplished using the
switch on the rear of the
chassis.
For a brief history of the
Grigsby Grunow
Company, see my
Majestic 59 page.
super-heterodyne
design of this era.
Waveband selection is
accomplished using the
switch on the rear of the
chassis.
For a brief history of the
Grigsby Grunow
Company, see my
Majestic 59 page.
This radio appears originally to have come with a gold-colored shading on the lower decorative aluminium trim used for
the dial and volume control markings. This coloring is long-gone on most examples of this model that turn up today.
However, as seen in the photo above right, this radio has some of the gold remaining and I have decided to leave it as
found. See an original Majestic ad from Dec 1933, featuring this set, here. The original purchase price was around
$21.50.
the dial and volume control markings. This coloring is long-gone on most examples of this model that turn up today.
However, as seen in the photo above right, this radio has some of the gold remaining and I have decided to leave it as
found. See an original Majestic ad from Dec 1933, featuring this set, here. The original purchase price was around
$21.50.
Majestic "smart sets" ...with exclusive spray-shielded tubes...
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