Murphy A30C (Console) cabinet wood?

[MurphyNut]

I'm pleased to have picked up a nice example that's survived in good condition.
However the original varnish has broken down so I've removed it and currently redoing the finish.
I had always amused for pictures and from occasionally seeing these sets that they were walnut, but to my surprise mine is a much darker wood and I don't think it's stained dark walnut.
I'd love the know what the wood is, incidentally the sides and top are certainly walnut being much lighter.
I have quite a few Murphy News booklets from the 1930's but I don't have the 1936 issues covering the A30 range and I've not found anything about this on the internet.
When I first started on this project I was a little disappointed in the darkness of the front of the set but I'm now starting to appreciate it the more I work on it and it's starting to look really nice.
Perhaps there were options at the time for differing wood finishes, any info will be most welcome. Maybe Mike might be reading this.

[Leon Crampin]

I'll check in "Murphy News" and report back. From memory, the front is Indian Laurel and the sides and top are walnut. I finished mine with Danish oil with good results. Correctly aligned, these sets work remarkably well for a short superhet. The monster 'speaker helps. More later.

Leon.

[Leon Crampin]

OK, confirmed. "Murphy News" March 1936: The front panel is veneered in Indian Laurel with the grain vertical in four equal horizontal bands. Matt finish. The top and sides are veneered in walnut and are joined by rounded walnut corner blocks; the legs and bottom rail are stained a rich dark brown. The cabinet features an interesting regular-oval speaker opening and a well defined base.

I think this set is a particularly under-stated R. D. Russell design and is one of my favourites. Good functional design ages very well.

Leon.

[MurphyNut]

Many thanks for that Leon, much appreciated.
I think the A30c is perhaps R. D. Russell's most austere design for Murphy Radio. Some years ago when I was getting into Murphy's this particular set didn't appeal to me much, but now I like it a lot.
When I've completed the set I'll do write up and post some pictures.

[Herald1360]

Question..... is the plural of Murphy Murphys or Murphies? (It isn't Murphy's).

[Boater Sam]

S'Murphs?

[HamishBoxer]

Smurf,s!

[ajgriff]

Murphy radios. If in doubt avoid the issue!

Alan

[HamishBoxer]

Correct answer I think Alan.

[Herald1360]

Originally Posted by ajgriff

Murphy radios. If in doubt avoid the issue!

Alan

And anything with an s on the front only applies to the chassis colour......

[cathoderay57]

You already have the answer but I thought I'd post this link anyway as it describes the wood finish of some Murphy sets (but spookily cabinet details are missing for the A30C & A30RG) . Not sure why but when I post the link it won't work. The website is http://www.murphy-radio.co.uk/ Then click "New for 2008" and click on the radio image

[Paul JD]

Originally Posted by Herald1360

Question..... is the plural of Murphy Murphys or Murphies? (It isn't Murphy's).

When pluralising words ending in y the rule is if there is a vowel before the y, you just add s. If there is a consonant before the y, drop the y and add ies.

So according to that rule the correct form should be Murphies. Strangely though my spell checker is highlighting that as incorrect and suggesting I change it to Murphys!

[ianm]

As Murphy is a name, the rule for pluralisation is different.

[stevehertz]

Originally Posted by ianm

As Murphy is a name, the rule for pluralisation is different.

Exactly, you beat me to it.

[Paul JD]

Originally Posted by ianm

As Murphy is a name, the rule for pluralisation is different.

Correct but in this context Murphy is being used a brand, not a persons name so perhaps it could be argued that ies would be correct? Just playing devils advocate - I don't know either way

[Paul_RK]

Originally Posted by Paul JD

Correct but in this context Murphy is being used a brand, not a persons name so perhaps it could be argued that ies would be correct? ...

My two penn'orth would be that even brands which aren't personal names at all require the same treatment as personal names themselves. Just as I would use Tonys for two or more chaps called Tony, Sonys rather than Sonies seems the way to go for a group of products of the Sony Corporation, though there was never a Mr. Sony behind the brand name.

[MurphyNut]

Ha, Ha, this isn't the first time my dyslexia has caused interesting discussion. I've just noticed in my original post I wrote amused when it should have been assumed. You wouldn't believe how long it takes me to write a post, even with the spell checker I sometimes get it wrong!