Zenith "Zenette" Model L Cathedral Radio (1931)
..a new radio made by Zenith. Makes other small sets seem like playthings!
The Model L was one of several Zenette models introduced by Zenith
beginning in early 1931. The line was produced in response to the
public's demand for lower prices during the Great Depression - "Zenith
presents Zenette, the lowest priced quality radio in the world" the company
announced at the time. Up until that point, they had largely specialized
in the manufacture of elaborate and expensive "quality" console radios,
the sales of which were especially hard hit by the downturn.
With the advent of the Zenettes, Zenith was following an industry wide
trend towards introducing lower cost radios, including compacts, fueled
by the economic necessities of the time. They were however a little late
in entering this arena, as the pioneers had debuted their models a full
year earlier. Philco, although not one of the very first to market, had
introduced the model 20 Baby Grand compact in August of 1930 and
this had gone on to become a best seller, firmly establishing Philco as
the market leader. As a result, despite very competitive pricing, Zenith
faced very formidable competition. Nevertheless the Zenettes were
credited with improving Zenith's financial situation in what were very
difficult times.
At the time of its initial introduction in January of 1931, the Zenette line
comprised four 6-tube TRF sets - the table models A and B (at $57.50
and $73.30) and floor models C and D (at $94 and $109.80). As best as
I can tell, the 5-tube model L, featured on this page, followed in March,
priced at $49.95, complete. I base this date on the fact that the earliest I
found the model L advertised was March of 1931, at which time
advertisements showed Zenette prices as ranging from a minimum of
$49.95. One month earlier the minimum was widely advertised at
$57.50, suggesting that there was no model L available at that time.
Curiously, through February of 1931, I found the model D, which is very
rare today, advertised only in the Western states.
The model L provides coverage of the standard broadcast band and
has tube line-up :- 35+35 (two stages of tuned RF screen-grid
amplification), 24 (detector), 47 (power amp) and 80 (rectifier). The
schematic may be found here.
beginning in early 1931. The line was produced in response to the
public's demand for lower prices during the Great Depression - "Zenith
presents Zenette, the lowest priced quality radio in the world" the company
announced at the time. Up until that point, they had largely specialized
in the manufacture of elaborate and expensive "quality" console radios,
the sales of which were especially hard hit by the downturn.
With the advent of the Zenettes, Zenith was following an industry wide
trend towards introducing lower cost radios, including compacts, fueled
by the economic necessities of the time. They were however a little late
in entering this arena, as the pioneers had debuted their models a full
year earlier. Philco, although not one of the very first to market, had
introduced the model 20 Baby Grand compact in August of 1930 and
this had gone on to become a best seller, firmly establishing Philco as
the market leader. As a result, despite very competitive pricing, Zenith
faced very formidable competition. Nevertheless the Zenettes were
credited with improving Zenith's financial situation in what were very
difficult times.
At the time of its initial introduction in January of 1931, the Zenette line
comprised four 6-tube TRF sets - the table models A and B (at $57.50
and $73.30) and floor models C and D (at $94 and $109.80). As best as
I can tell, the 5-tube model L, featured on this page, followed in March,
priced at $49.95, complete. I base this date on the fact that the earliest I
found the model L advertised was March of 1931, at which time
advertisements showed Zenette prices as ranging from a minimum of
$49.95. One month earlier the minimum was widely advertised at
$57.50, suggesting that there was no model L available at that time.
Curiously, through February of 1931, I found the model D, which is very
rare today, advertised only in the Western states.
The model L provides coverage of the standard broadcast band and
has tube line-up :- 35+35 (two stages of tuned RF screen-grid
amplification), 24 (detector), 47 (power amp) and 80 (rectifier). The
schematic may be found here.
| Zenith announces the Zenette, the lowest priced quality radio in the world. The Zenette offers you just what you have been waiting for - a Zenith-built radio at modest price with genuine high-priced set performance. The Zenette positively excels in all around performance and tone quality any radio selling wihtin many dollars of its price. Available in the mantle type cabinet and also in a full size console" |
| "A wonderful triple screen-grid radio just brought by Zenith...a name that stands for the best in radio. Beautiful walnut veneer cabinet; electro-dynamic speaker, illuminated dial. Complete with Zenith quality tubes. It's an amazing value." |
| "Zenith could long ago have produced a small size radio if they had been satisfied to reduce quality along with size. It had to be a real radio set, not a plaything, a real radio set that measured up to Zenith standards... the highest standards of radio quality in the world. It had to provide tone quality, volume, selectivity and sensitivity far beyond anything hitherto achieved in small set design. And here it is now, TODAY... the amazing Zenette... so clearly superior that other existing small type radios fall into the toy class by comparison. You'll want a Zenette.. everyone does who sees and hears one. See and hear YOURS at your dealer today!" Extracted from an April 1931 newspaper ad. |
Newspaper advertisement for the Zenette Model L, dated March 26th, 1931
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