Philco Model 16B Baby Grand Cathedral Radio (1933)
The Philco model 16 Baby Grand (16B) radio was introduced
in June of 1933 along with the Philco 16L lowboy. It was one of
the largest Baby Grands ever manufactured by Philco and at
the start of the 1934 model year was their top of the line table
radio. It had an introductory price of $75 complete, though by
Christmas this had been raised to $85.
This 16B uses an 11-tube all-wave chassis covering five
frequency bands, 520-1500kc, 1.5-4.0mc, 3.2-6.0mc,
5.8-12.0mc and 11.0-23.0mc. The schematic may be found
here. For further details, see my 16L, 16B, 16B shouldered
and 16X pages.
The 16B cathedral uses the code 121 chassis that is similar to
the code 122 chassis used for the 16L floor model. It differs
only to the extent that it delivers a more table-top friendly 10W
into an 8" speaker in contrast to the 16L's 15W into a 12"
speaker. The full tube line-up is:- 77 (mixer), 76 (LO), 78 (1st
IF), 78 (2nd IF), 37 (2nd detector diode-connected triode), 77
(inter-station noise suppression - QAVC), 77 (1st AF), 42 (AF
driver), 42 * 2 (triode connected class A push-pull output), 80
(rectifier). Because of its reduced power output, a type 80
tube is used instead of the 5Z3 used by the code 122 chassis.
I bought this radio at the NEARC show in 2003. It had been
partially stripped of its original finish when I found it and was
missing two knobs. I completed the stripping and re-finished it
with multiple coats of lacquer. I then gave it a full electrical
restoration.
in June of 1933 along with the Philco 16L lowboy. It was one of
the largest Baby Grands ever manufactured by Philco and at
the start of the 1934 model year was their top of the line table
radio. It had an introductory price of $75 complete, though by
Christmas this had been raised to $85.
This 16B uses an 11-tube all-wave chassis covering five
frequency bands, 520-1500kc, 1.5-4.0mc, 3.2-6.0mc,
5.8-12.0mc and 11.0-23.0mc. The schematic may be found
here. For further details, see my 16L, 16B, 16B shouldered
and 16X pages.
The 16B cathedral uses the code 121 chassis that is similar to
the code 122 chassis used for the 16L floor model. It differs
only to the extent that it delivers a more table-top friendly 10W
into an 8" speaker in contrast to the 16L's 15W into a 12"
speaker. The full tube line-up is:- 77 (mixer), 76 (LO), 78 (1st
IF), 78 (2nd IF), 37 (2nd detector diode-connected triode), 77
(inter-station noise suppression - QAVC), 77 (1st AF), 42 (AF
driver), 42 * 2 (triode connected class A push-pull output), 80
(rectifier). Because of its reduced power output, a type 80
tube is used instead of the 5Z3 used by the code 122 chassis.
I bought this radio at the NEARC show in 2003. It had been
partially stripped of its original finish when I found it and was
missing two knobs. I completed the stripping and re-finished it
with multiple coats of lacquer. I then gave it a full electrical
restoration.
Philco 16B Baby Grand Features
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| "Philco has revolutionized short-wave tuning of foreign stations with such exclusive improvements as 1) Waveband switch with 5 distinct scales for clearly separating short-wave stations, 2) Two tuning ratios - an 8 to 1 ratio for regular broadcasts and a 60 to 1 for accurately tuning foreign stations" "Full patented full-floating chassis. Prevents transmission of vibration from speaker to vital parts of the chassis, preventing tone distortion" "Bass Compensating tone control...giving that pleasing depth and mellowness with the desirable crispness and clarity only possible through correct balance of bass and treble" |
| "Enjoy worldwide reception with these new PHILCO "16" radios. Listen to the truest and most perfect reproduction of American, Canadian, Cuban and Mexican stations. Then go venturing in the fascinating realm of the short-waves - perhaps experience the thrill of picking up Rome, London, Paris, Berlin or Buenos Aries, and even the ultra-short wave British Empire Station broadcasts. Also police and airplane calls, amateur and marine communications!" "The new Philco "16" is the finest, most powerful radio ever designed, providing glorious tone and unexcelled performance!" |
The greatest of all Baby Grands... outperforming larger sets at twice the price.
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