Zenith Model 12-U-158 (12U158) Console Radio (1937)
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Copyright TubeRadioLand.com
This beautiful Zenith model 12-U-158 console was introduced
in the summer of 1936 for the 1937 season, at a list price of
$149.95. A distinguishing feature of this set, along with model
12-U-159, is the ultra-large version of the big black dial,
measuring approximately 10 inches in diameter, for sure one
of the largest domestic radio dials ever produced.
Zenith advertising described the 12U158 thus:-
in the summer of 1936 for the 1937 season, at a list price of
$149.95. A distinguishing feature of this set, along with model
12-U-159, is the ultra-large version of the big black dial,
measuring approximately 10 inches in diameter, for sure one
of the largest domestic radio dials ever produced.
Zenith advertising described the 12U158 thus:-
All-Wave, Worldwide Zenith... The Radio with the Acoustic Adapter
| "12 tubes. Tunes American and foreign stations, police, amateur aviation, ships at sea, ultra short-wave. Auditorium 12-inch electro-dynamic speaker. Voice-music-High-Fidelity Control. Sensitivity Control. Lightning Station Finder. Target Tuning. Split-Second Relocator. Overtone Amplifier. Acoustic Adapter. Individually Illuminated wave-bands. 43 inches high" |
| "No more turning and twisting of dials with the new Zenith. You get your program easily and quickly. Just a twist of the wrist and this weighted knob goes spinning its way toward finding you the station desired" |
| Technical Details |
The 12-U-158 is a twelve tube all-wave receiver covering the
frequency range 550kcs to 54mcs in four wavebands. The
tube line-up is 6k7 (RF amp), 6L7 (mixer), 6C5 (Local Osc),
6K7 (IF amp), 6H6 (2nd detector/AVC), 6F5 (1st audio), 6L6*
(driver), 6L6 *2 (push-pull audio), 6C5 (Target Tuning amp),
5Y3/5W4 * 2 (rectifiers). As with other 1937 Zeniths, the
chassis was designed to accommodate either metal or
metaglas tube types. Audio output is a room shaking 17W!
*The schematic in the Riders manuals lists a 6F6 driver tube.
However my unit has fitted a 6L6 which matches the markings
on its tube socket. Radio Retailing, July 1936, also lists a 6L6
as the driver. Curiously, in my radio the original socket of one
of the 6L6 output tubes is marked 6L6/6F6 (the sockets for
the other output tube and the driver show only 6L6). Was the
6L6 output tube socket inadvertently swapped for the driver's
6L6/6F6 socket at the time of manufacture? Given the
contradictory driver tube listings sited, it appears plausible
that the set was designed to use either a 6L6 or 6F6 driver.
frequency range 550kcs to 54mcs in four wavebands. The
tube line-up is 6k7 (RF amp), 6L7 (mixer), 6C5 (Local Osc),
6K7 (IF amp), 6H6 (2nd detector/AVC), 6F5 (1st audio), 6L6*
(driver), 6L6 *2 (push-pull audio), 6C5 (Target Tuning amp),
5Y3/5W4 * 2 (rectifiers). As with other 1937 Zeniths, the
chassis was designed to accommodate either metal or
metaglas tube types. Audio output is a room shaking 17W!
*The schematic in the Riders manuals lists a 6F6 driver tube.
However my unit has fitted a 6L6 which matches the markings
on its tube socket. Radio Retailing, July 1936, also lists a 6L6
as the driver. Curiously, in my radio the original socket of one
of the 6L6 output tubes is marked 6L6/6F6 (the sockets for
the other output tube and the driver show only 6L6). Was the
6L6 output tube socket inadvertently swapped for the driver's
6L6/6F6 socket at the time of manufacture? Given the
contradictory driver tube listings sited, it appears plausible
that the set was designed to use either a 6L6 or 6F6 driver.