Export Pye? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

DuncanLeece · 30th Sep 2017, 8:08 pm

Dear all,
Any Pye experts on the forum? Several I imagine! Generally, I collect pre-war sets, but occasionally I see a 1950s radio that tickles my fancy, and hence this Pye. Stupidly, I thought it was a P76, and I seemed to remember them having a decent reputation, plus I really liked the unusual cabinet finish.
But of course, it is not a P76, as instead it is a PE69. I am sure it is an export set given it having just MW and seven SW bands, plus look at the station names on the dial: all India and Asia……Radio Scotland nowhere to be seen? It picks it up really well, however, tuned to Hong Kong! Indeed the set sounds great, for such a small loudspeaker. It took me by surprise.

Valves are the same as the P76, apart from addition of an EM34 tuning indicator, which also works well.

There was a mention of a PE69RG on this forum a few weeks ago, and Radiomuseum shows a similar model but with LW and fewer SW options, so I suppose it was made in various guises.

What stories could it tell of far flung Empire, before finding its way to the North of Scotland? Amazing that it has survived in almost un-marked condition, so someone must have cherished it, or probably more likely, stuck it in a cupboard because of lack of LW?

My question is, just to put my curiosity to rest, does anyone know what the wood finish is? If anything, it is lighter and glossier than my camera shows, and the detailing is in a darker wood inlay, making it the opposite of the way UK versions were veneered. I think it looks lovely, but maybe it does have a non-British look to it.
Hope you all like it too?

Kind regards
Duncan

crackle · 30th Sep 2017, 9:30 pm

I think the decorative veneers are sycamore and birds eye maple, but not 100% sure.

Mike

ukcol · 30th Sep 2017, 9:34 pm

There is a PE69LW on radiomuseum.

martiR2R · 30th Sep 2017, 10:57 pm

I second the Sycamore, they used it for the interior of the Fenman II Radiogram.

Regards
Martin

DuncanLeece · 1st Oct 2017, 7:18 am

Thanks for the replies.

Colin: yes, the Radiomuseum PE69LW is clearly a close relative.

Mike & Martin: You have both cracked it with Sycamore, and it is indeed the same as the interior of that very nice radiogram. I had thought Maple too for the control panel, but wasn't sure. So question answered. Well done!

best wishes
Duncan

30th Sep 2017, 8:08 pm	#1
DuncanLeece Pentode Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Banff, Aberdeenshire, UK. Posts: 104	Export Pye? Dear all, Any Pye experts on the forum? Several I imagine! Generally, I collect pre-war sets, but occasionally I see a 1950s radio that tickles my fancy, and hence this Pye. Stupidly, I thought it was a P76, and I seemed to remember them having a decent reputation, plus I really liked the unusual cabinet finish. But of course, it is not a P76, as instead it is a PE69. I am sure it is an export set given it having just MW and seven SW bands, plus look at the station names on the dial: all India and Asia……Radio Scotland nowhere to be seen? It picks it up really well, however, tuned to Hong Kong! Indeed the set sounds great, for such a small loudspeaker. It took me by surprise. Valves are the same as the P76, apart from addition of an EM34 tuning indicator, which also works well. There was a mention of a PE69RG on this forum a few weeks ago, and Radiomuseum shows a similar model but with LW and fewer SW options, so I suppose it was made in various guises. What stories could it tell of far flung Empire, before finding its way to the North of Scotland? Amazing that it has survived in almost un-marked condition, so someone must have cherished it, or probably more likely, stuck it in a cupboard because of lack of LW? My question is, just to put my curiosity to rest, does anyone know what the wood finish is? If anything, it is lighter and glossier than my camera shows, and the detailing is in a darker wood inlay, making it the opposite of the way UK versions were veneered. I think it looks lovely, but maybe it does have a non-British look to it. Hope you all like it too? Kind regards Duncan Attached Thumbnails

30th Sep 2017, 9:30 pm	#2
crackle Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Basildon, Essex, UK. Posts: 4,100	Re: Export Pye? I think the decorative veneers are sycamore and birds eye maple, but not 100% sure. Mike

30th Sep 2017, 9:34 pm	#3
ukcol Rest in Peace Join Date: May 2003 Location: Harlaxton, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 3,944	Re: Export Pye? There is a PE69LW on radiomuseum.

30th Sep 2017, 10:57 pm	#4
martiR2R Hexode Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 343	Re: Export Pye? I second the Sycamore, they used it for the interior of the Fenman II Radiogram. Regards Martin Attached Thumbnails __________________ BVWS Member (lapsed!)

1st Oct 2017, 7:18 am	#5
DuncanLeece Pentode Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Banff, Aberdeenshire, UK. Posts: 104	Re: Export Pye? Thanks for the replies. Colin: yes, the Radiomuseum PE69LW is clearly a close relative. Mike & Martin: You have both cracked it with Sycamore, and it is indeed the same as the interior of that very nice radiogram. I had thought Maple too for the control panel, but wasn't sure. So question answered. Well done! best wishes Duncan