Unknown Make & Model - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

kibble · 24th Aug 2009, 2:39 pm

Can any one please help to identify a set which is missing the make & model info. [/SIZE][SIZE=3]The set was found in a wast bin, so I don't know it's history. I haven't started working on it yet as I would like to identify it first.

The set is of a simple wooden construction painted black & gold. Dimensions are width 17" height 8" & depth 8.5". Valve line-up 12K8 12K7 12Q7 50L6 35Z4. The tuning scale is marked "GL". Bands are MW & LW, the band switch is located at the back. Supply AC/DC 100/110 & 200/240.

The license plate reads :- This plate is issued by or with the authority of B.T.H. Co. EMI the GEC the Gramophone Company the Marconi Company, Murphy Radio and Philips.

Regards
Keith

Steve_P · 24th Aug 2009, 2:59 pm

Looks war time to me. The sort of thing that you'ld get in a factory for listening to Workers Playtime and Music While You Work on.

Many such sets were imported from the USA and upgraded for UK supply voltages.

I can't tell you the exact make and model, but it should be fairly easy to work on. Quite rare I think. Good find - it's amazing what people throw away....

Cheers,

Steve P.

newlite4 · 24th Aug 2009, 4:35 pm

This radio is from a manufacturer called "Good Listening" hence G L. They were always in a large metal case, normally painted cream. They were manufactured over a short period during the immiediate post war period and are relatively rare.
This is an especially exotic example, a considerable detatchment from their usual fare.
Neil

Alan Stepney · 24th Aug 2009, 6:36 pm

From what I can recall, Good Listening never actually made radios, or anything else, they bought them in badged with the G-L name (or in some cases, with no name).
They then became a rental chain, ending up with 30+ shops throughout Hampshire, Sussex, area, with their main base at Wallisdown Rd, Bournemouth.

Plessey certainly made some radios for them, and whilst I dont know the qualities involved, they were only a small customer compared to many others.

kibble · 25th Aug 2009, 11:15 am

Thanks guys for your comments.

Now that I've been given the lead on Good Listening I've done a search for threads re Good Listening & found some useful information about the company. I think my set is undoubtedly a Good Listening brand set.

It would be nice to identify the actual manufacturer. I'm confident the case was made in Britain, the back panel text supports this. Initially I thought the chassis might be of US manufacture especially as the valves are US types with a total heater voltage of 120 volts. I did a search for models with the same valve line-up only British sets match, even if I omitted the 50L6 & 35Z4, which might have been selected for the higher UK mains voltage. It seems that US manufacturers did not use the combination of 12K8 & 12K7, although it was used a lot by British manufacturers especially mid to late 1940's.

So I now think the chassis was of British manufacture, presumably one of the companies listed in the license plate, but which one?

Regards
Keith

Paul_RK · 25th Aug 2009, 11:29 am

None of those - the license plate was a standard item fitted to all radios for a while no matter who made them, and this one certainly isn't by EMI, GEC, Murphy or Philips (BTH were long defunct as a radio manufacturer). The general look of the chassis and the wavechange switch at the rear - hence probably an afterthought - have me thinking it may after all have been sourced from America.

Paul

newlite4 · 25th Aug 2009, 2:27 pm

The chassis is almost certainly that of a lend-lease set imported from the USA during the war, note the rear mounted LW/MW switch, possibly an Emerson. I suspect that they were fitted into these elaborate looking cabinets to make them more acceptableto UK users.
Neil

24th Aug 2009, 2:39 pm	#1
kibble Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Croydon, London, UK. Posts: 31	Unknown Make & Model Can any one please help to identify a set which is missing the make & model info. [/SIZE][SIZE=3]The set was found in a wast bin, so I don't know it's history. I haven't started working on it yet as I would like to identify it first. The set is of a simple wooden construction painted black & gold. Dimensions are width 17" height 8" & depth 8.5". Valve line-up 12K8 12K7 12Q7 50L6 35Z4. The tuning scale is marked "GL". Bands are MW & LW, the band switch is located at the back. Supply AC/DC 100/110 & 200/240. The license plate reads :- This plate is issued by or with the authority of B.T.H. Co. EMI the GEC the Gramophone Company the Marconi Company, Murphy Radio and Philips. Regards Keith Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Dave Moll; 24th Aug 2009 at 4:36 pm. Reason: oversized font removed

24th Aug 2009, 2:59 pm	#2
Steve_P Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 6,644	Re: Unknown Make & Model Looks war time to me. The sort of thing that you'ld get in a factory for listening to Workers Playtime and Music While You Work on. Many such sets were imported from the USA and upgraded for UK supply voltages. I can't tell you the exact make and model, but it should be fairly easy to work on. Quite rare I think. Good find - it's amazing what people throw away.... Cheers, Steve P. __________________ If we've always had it, why is the Car Boot open? You're not sneaking another Old TV in are you...?

24th Aug 2009, 4:35 pm	#3
newlite4 Octode Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Bath, Somerset, UK. Posts: 1,805	Re: Unknown Make & Model This radio is from a manufacturer called "Good Listening" hence G L. They were always in a large metal case, normally painted cream. They were manufactured over a short period during the immiediate post war period and are relatively rare. This is an especially exotic example, a considerable detatchment from their usual fare. Neil __________________ preserving the recent past, for the distant future.

24th Aug 2009, 6:36 pm	#4
Alan Stepney Rest in Peace Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Dorset, UK. Posts: 947	Re: Unknown Make & Model From what I can recall, Good Listening never actually made radios, or anything else, they bought them in badged with the G-L name (or in some cases, with no name). They then became a rental chain, ending up with 30+ shops throughout Hampshire, Sussex, area, with their main base at Wallisdown Rd, Bournemouth. Plessey certainly made some radios for them, and whilst I dont know the qualities involved, they were only a small customer compared to many others.

25th Aug 2009, 11:15 am	#5
kibble Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Croydon, London, UK. Posts: 31	Re: Unknown Make & Model Thanks guys for your comments. Now that I've been given the lead on Good Listening I've done a search for threads re Good Listening & found some useful information about the company. I think my set is undoubtedly a Good Listening brand set. It would be nice to identify the actual manufacturer. I'm confident the case was made in Britain, the back panel text supports this. Initially I thought the chassis might be of US manufacture especially as the valves are US types with a total heater voltage of 120 volts. I did a search for models with the same valve line-up only British sets match, even if I omitted the 50L6 & 35Z4, which might have been selected for the higher UK mains voltage. It seems that US manufacturers did not use the combination of 12K8 & 12K7, although it was used a lot by British manufacturers especially mid to late 1940's. So I now think the chassis was of British manufacture, presumably one of the companies listed in the license plate, but which one? Regards Keith

25th Aug 2009, 11:29 am	#6
Paul_RK Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fakenham, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 4,255	Re: Unknown Make & Model None of those - the license plate was a standard item fitted to all radios for a while no matter who made them, and this one certainly isn't by EMI, GEC, Murphy or Philips (BTH were long defunct as a radio manufacturer). The general look of the chassis and the wavechange switch at the rear - hence probably an afterthought - have me thinking it may after all have been sourced from America. Paul Last edited by Paul_RK; 25th Aug 2009 at 11:43 am.

25th Aug 2009, 2:27 pm	#7
newlite4 Octode Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Bath, Somerset, UK. Posts: 1,805	Re: Unknown Make & Model The chassis is almost certainly that of a lend-lease set imported from the USA during the war, note the rear mounted LW/MW switch, possibly an Emerson. I suspect that they were fitted into these elaborate looking cabinets to make them more acceptableto UK users. Neil __________________ preserving the recent past, for the distant future.