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Zenith "Zenette" Model 230 Tombstone Radio (1932/33)
handsome as the handsomest mantel clock.. performance not dreamed of a brief time ago
The beautiful Zenette 230 tombstone radio was part of Zenith's "all
star" line for 1932/1933, introduced during the summer of 1932 with
a list price of $55.25. According to "Zenith Radio, The Early Years
1919-1935" by Cones & Bryant, the 230 was one of 40 distinct 200
series models planned for release by Zenith between 1932 and '34.
However, it appears that only 13 of them were ever manufactured,
and of those, the model 230 included, most are rare finds today.
The model 230 continued the Zenette line of "lowest price, quality
radios" first introduced by Zenith in 1931. The line was an attempt
to extend the company's lower marketing reach as the Great Dep-
ression began to bite. See my model L page for more information.
In their advertising, Zenith made much play of the 230 being one of
the first sets to use the "new 7-prong No. 59 tube", a triple-grid
power tube similar to the type 47. In spite of their claims for it (see
ad clippings below), the tube was never widely adopted however.
star" line for 1932/1933, introduced during the summer of 1932 with
a list price of $55.25. According to "Zenith Radio, The Early Years
1919-1935" by Cones & Bryant, the 230 was one of 40 distinct 200
series models planned for release by Zenith between 1932 and '34.
However, it appears that only 13 of them were ever manufactured,
and of those, the model 230 included, most are rare finds today.
The model 230 continued the Zenette line of "lowest price, quality
radios" first introduced by Zenith in 1931. The line was an attempt
to extend the company's lower marketing reach as the Great Dep-
ression began to bite. See my model L page for more information.
In their advertising, Zenith made much play of the 230 being one of
the first sets to use the "new 7-prong No. 59 tube", a triple-grid
power tube similar to the type 47. In spite of their claims for it (see
ad clippings below), the tube was never widely adopted however.
The first radio with the amazing new 7-prong tube!
| "If you haven't already seen and heard it, the new 1933 "All Star" Zenith will be a revelation to you. Hundreds of radio fans have already visited our showrooms to see it. It's the first radio with the new 7-prong tube, the amazing new super-power tube that gives more volume - no distortion or hum - fine tone even at a whisper" |
The model 230 is an 8-tube ac superheterodyne receiver covering
the standard broadcast band from 540-1750kcs. The tube line-up
is 58 (RF amp), 58 (converter), 56 (LO), 58 (IF amp), 57 (2nd det),
57 (AVC), 59 (AF power tube, pentode connected) & 80 (rectifier).
The schematic is available here, courtesy of NostagiaAir.
Frequency coverage of the 230 extends all the way to 1750kc,
rather than to the 1500kc standard of the time. According to Zenith
advertising (see right), this was done to accommodate a widening
of the band, rumored at the time to be under consideration by the
FRC. Zenith stated that "no radio buyer today should consider a
set unless it covers radio frequencies from 540 to 1750 kilocycles".
the standard broadcast band from 540-1750kcs. The tube line-up
is 58 (RF amp), 58 (converter), 56 (LO), 58 (IF amp), 57 (2nd det),
57 (AVC), 59 (AF power tube, pentode connected) & 80 (rectifier).
The schematic is available here, courtesy of NostagiaAir.
Frequency coverage of the 230 extends all the way to 1750kc,
rather than to the 1500kc standard of the time. According to Zenith
advertising (see right), this was done to accommodate a widening
of the band, rumored at the time to be under consideration by the
FRC. Zenith stated that "no radio buyer today should consider a
set unless it covers radio frequencies from 540 to 1750 kilocycles".
Edited version of a Zenith newspaper ad from Dec 1932
Clipping from a newspaper ad dated Nov. 1932
Radio Retailing, Dec 1932 pg 7.