| Zenith Model 6-D-315 (6D315) (left) & 6-D-311 (6D311) Bakelite Table Radios (1939) |
Shown here are the Zenith 6D311 and 6D315, a pair of very Art
Deco bakelite table tops representing what was perhaps
Zenith's most adventurous styling for any midget radio. They
were designed by Robert Budlong, who was retained by Zenith
for a number of years, during which time he was responsible for
many of their cabinet designs. The 6D311, one of Zenith's first
Bakelite models, was released in June of 1938, as part of the
line-up for the new 1939 model season. As best as I can
ascertain, the 6D315 followed in early 1939, perhaps as an
upgrade to the 6D311, and continued to be available into the
1940 model season.
The 6D315 (above left) was Zenith's first model to use a rear
wavemagnet attachment (photo lower right). In comparison with
the 6D311, it also added a handle and updated the dial scale.
I've seen the 6D315 with two variations on the escutcheon, one
as shown here (which is the same as that used for the 6D311)
and another with the additional word "wavemagnet" embossed
on it beneath the word "Zenith". I initially thought my unit had
the incorrect escutcheon, but I've since seen enough like this
one to be sure it's authentic, from the factory. The picture in
Jesperson's Zenith Brochure Book also shows the escutcheon
for the 6D315 without the additional word "wavemagnet"**.
The 6D311 had an original purchase price of $14.95 for the
Franciscan Brown plastic version shown here. It was also
available in Ebony or ivory at $17.95. I found the 6D315 being
advertised for sale in April of 1939 (i.e. late 1939 model
season) at $19.95, though it was later offered as part of the
1940 line-up for $24.95.
Deco bakelite table tops representing what was perhaps
Zenith's most adventurous styling for any midget radio. They
were designed by Robert Budlong, who was retained by Zenith
for a number of years, during which time he was responsible for
many of their cabinet designs. The 6D311, one of Zenith's first
Bakelite models, was released in June of 1938, as part of the
line-up for the new 1939 model season. As best as I can
ascertain, the 6D315 followed in early 1939, perhaps as an
upgrade to the 6D311, and continued to be available into the
1940 model season.
The 6D315 (above left) was Zenith's first model to use a rear
wavemagnet attachment (photo lower right). In comparison with
the 6D311, it also added a handle and updated the dial scale.
I've seen the 6D315 with two variations on the escutcheon, one
as shown here (which is the same as that used for the 6D311)
and another with the additional word "wavemagnet" embossed
on it beneath the word "Zenith". I initially thought my unit had
the incorrect escutcheon, but I've since seen enough like this
one to be sure it's authentic, from the factory. The picture in
Jesperson's Zenith Brochure Book also shows the escutcheon
for the 6D315 without the additional word "wavemagnet"**.
The 6D311 had an original purchase price of $14.95 for the
Franciscan Brown plastic version shown here. It was also
available in Ebony or ivory at $17.95. I found the 6D315 being
advertised for sale in April of 1939 (i.e. late 1939 model
season) at $19.95, though it was later offered as part of the
1940 line-up for $24.95.
Have You Enough radios?
What's to do? says mother. Father likes Fred Allen. Mother says
"Let's have something classical". Brother roots for
"GangBusters". Sister's a jitterbug with a swing complex. Every
night in the living room...pandemonium!
"Oh for a radio in every one's room! Bright thought...peace at any
price" says dad. Let's go down and turn in this old parlor jalopy
for a New Season 1939 Zenith Automatic Tuning Console and
three of those new low price Superheterodyne midgets! We can
do it with those unheard of Zenith prices.
"What, you'll take the old jalopy and a few bucks as down
payment? Why, it's peace at a pittance, thank God".
What's to do? says mother. Father likes Fred Allen. Mother says
"Let's have something classical". Brother roots for
"GangBusters". Sister's a jitterbug with a swing complex. Every
night in the living room...pandemonium!
"Oh for a radio in every one's room! Bright thought...peace at any
price" says dad. Let's go down and turn in this old parlor jalopy
for a New Season 1939 Zenith Automatic Tuning Console and
three of those new low price Superheterodyne midgets! We can
do it with those unheard of Zenith prices.
"What, you'll take the old jalopy and a few bucks as down
payment? Why, it's peace at a pittance, thank God".
Zenith 6D311...America's biggest little radio value. King of the compacts.
If it hasn't a wavemagnet, it isn't a Zenith!
The 6D311 is an ac/dc-powered superheterodyne that uses 5 tubes plus a ballast. The tube line-up is 6A8G (mixer/LO), 6K7G (IF amp),
6Q7G (2nd detector/AVC), 25L6 (AF amp), 25Z6G (rectifier). The schematic may be found here, courtesy of NostalgiaAir. Coverage is
of the American standard broadcast band from approximately 550-1700kc.
The 6D315 has a very similar chassis to the 311 but uses a 6U7G in place of the 6K7G as the IF amp and of course, it features the
wavemagnet. The schematic is available here. Curiously, this set provides reduced coverage of the standard broadcast band, from
550-1550kc approximately.
6Q7G (2nd detector/AVC), 25L6 (AF amp), 25Z6G (rectifier). The schematic may be found here, courtesy of NostalgiaAir. Coverage is
of the American standard broadcast band from approximately 550-1700kc.
The 6D315 has a very similar chassis to the 311 but uses a 6U7G in place of the 6K7G as the IF amp and of course, it features the
wavemagnet. The schematic is available here. Curiously, this set provides reduced coverage of the standard broadcast band, from
550-1550kc approximately.
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Copyright TubeRadioLand.com
Zenith 6D315. The RADIO with the WAVE MAGNET in the LITTLE GOLD BOX.
| No ANTENNA! No GROUND! Just Plug in and Play Anywhere! |
| "Beautiful Reception in places where no other radio will work. Handsome, compact, portable new plastic radio gets distant and local reception even next to elevators, interference from neon signs and other electrical disturbances. For use everywhere and especially wherever reception is difficult" Newspaper advertisement for the 6D315, dated April 1939 |
**UPDATE: 6D315 advertising I've recently located for the 1939 season
shows the escutcheon without the WAVEMAGNET wording whereas later
advertising, for the 1940 season shows it with. This appears to suggest
that my model 6D315 is an early version of the set from the 1939 sales
season.
shows the escutcheon without the WAVEMAGNET wording whereas later
advertising, for the 1940 season shows it with. This appears to suggest
that my model 6D315 is an early version of the set from the 1939 sales
season.
| TECHNICAL DETAILS |