Philco 89 Baby Grand (89B) Cathedral Radio, 2nd style (1934)
The popular Philco model 89B, first released in early 1933,
received this upgraded cabinet in June of 1934, ready for
the 1935 sales season. Its initial sales price was $39.50.
Finished in two-tone butt walnut, this is one of the most
unusual Baby Grand cabinet styles adopted by Philco. To
me, it has always conveyed the impression of a giant
insect with obviously sinister intentions, wielding its black
proboscises menacingly at you as it ventures forth!
The cabinet's front piece is an exercise in contrasts,
characterised as it is by a graceful section of highly figured
butt walnut, offset against dark, uniformly toned areas that
are practically opaque. It was a style adopted by Philco
designers for several models introduced during the 1935
season only. As well as the 89B, included on this list are
models 16B, 45C, 66B and 118B. I happen to think that
these are amongst the most attractive of the Philco
tabletops and have often wondered why the style was
discontinued after but a single season.
The 89B uses a 6-tube ac-powered chassis that covers
the broadcast band from 550 to 1500kc and the police
band from 1.5 to 3.2mc. The tube line-up is 44 (RF amp),
77 (mixer/LO), 44 (IF), 75 (2nd detector/AVC/1st AF), 42
(AF power) and 80 (rectifier). It features a tuned RF stage,
Automatic-Volume-Control (AVC), two-point tone control
and pentode output stage. Schematic (code 123) here.
Early 89B production used a type 36 tube for the autodyne
mixer/LO but starting with run 14, Philco switched to a type
77 for improved operation of this circuit. The early models
are notorious for intermittent operation of the oscillator!
Rather than sticking with the autodyne, Philco could have
elected to upgrade the set to use a pentagrid converter,
but perhaps this would have been too much of a redesign.
received this upgraded cabinet in June of 1934, ready for
the 1935 sales season. Its initial sales price was $39.50.
Finished in two-tone butt walnut, this is one of the most
unusual Baby Grand cabinet styles adopted by Philco. To
me, it has always conveyed the impression of a giant
insect with obviously sinister intentions, wielding its black
proboscises menacingly at you as it ventures forth!
The cabinet's front piece is an exercise in contrasts,
characterised as it is by a graceful section of highly figured
butt walnut, offset against dark, uniformly toned areas that
are practically opaque. It was a style adopted by Philco
designers for several models introduced during the 1935
season only. As well as the 89B, included on this list are
models 16B, 45C, 66B and 118B. I happen to think that
these are amongst the most attractive of the Philco
tabletops and have often wondered why the style was
discontinued after but a single season.
The 89B uses a 6-tube ac-powered chassis that covers
the broadcast band from 550 to 1500kc and the police
band from 1.5 to 3.2mc. The tube line-up is 44 (RF amp),
77 (mixer/LO), 44 (IF), 75 (2nd detector/AVC/1st AF), 42
(AF power) and 80 (rectifier). It features a tuned RF stage,
Automatic-Volume-Control (AVC), two-point tone control
and pentode output stage. Schematic (code 123) here.
Early 89B production used a type 36 tube for the autodyne
mixer/LO but starting with run 14, Philco switched to a type
77 for improved operation of this circuit. The early models
are notorious for intermittent operation of the oscillator!
Rather than sticking with the autodyne, Philco could have
elected to upgrade the set to use a pentagrid converter,
but perhaps this would have been too much of a redesign.
Philco 89B ..popular Baby Grand furnishing unusually fine performance.
...graceful cabinet of rich, hand-rubbed butt walnut.
This example has been re-finished in clear and black lacquer
and has an accurate reproduction grille cloth.
I bought it as photographed, in fully restored condition.
and has an accurate reproduction grille cloth.
I bought it as photographed, in fully restored condition.
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