Just finished restoring this Murphy, but what is it ? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Dr-Watts · 29th Mar 2008, 6:27 pm

Hi all,

I'm ususally in the TV forum but I feel obliged to let you know about the first radio restoration I've done in years !

I used to collect radiogram's but when the kids came along and we moved house they all had to go except one of em, which would you believe the wife wanted me to keep !

Anyway, I've been looking for a nice VHF radio for the bedroom for a while, preferably a 'Decca 66' but to no avail.
When I was at Harpendon last year I spotted this 'not so' lovely Murphy console radio with VHF.
I called Faith to let her know that I'd bought 'an item', and she said "as long as it's not another

TV set, that's alright".
(I did buy another TV while I was there but it's small and I got away with it !)
To my massive surprise she loved the Murphy and said that it'd look great in the bedroom !
It basically worked but VHF was terribly deaf and quiet and AM was very crackley.
So, as I'd not done a radio since the mid 90's, I took it to Gerry's 'workshop day' in January.

After a complete 'Hunts' overhall, a few resistors and some TLC the radio works very well and sounds fantastic.
I tried to get 50 years of crud off last night and found that the only thing that would shift it was Meths

After all the dirt was removed I gave it a buff up with some paint restorer and then a good going over with some furniture polish and the resulting finish is brilliant.
Anyway, it looks like the dirt preserved it fairly well, in face there's no need for a complete cab restoration, I just touched up on the few scratches it had.

Anyway, here are some pictures for you.

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PS: Can anyone let me know the model No. as it's I can't find it, and a year please ?

Kind Regards

Dr. Dave

Nickthedentist · 29th Mar 2008, 6:34 pm

Very nice! Does it sound as good as it looks?

Maybe an A272C, see here: http://www.vintage-radio.com/recent-...phy-a272c.html

See also here, which shows the tabletop version too. Surprisingly, the console version is only a little more costly: http://www.murphy-radio.co.uk/murphy...ios_Inside.jpg

Nick.

dave walsh · 29th Mar 2008, 6:42 pm

Searching Hard Drive for Model No Dave

. I've got one of these but it's not in that condition! I was actually surprised to find there was a version
with VHF when I picked it up [Prestwich Manchester 1996] but of course the extra band is a clue re dating. I've seen the much earlier one as an accessory in up-market House Design Mags. You may be able to use that as an arguement if you want one of those as well. The comments you make confirm what we said about the good fortune to have an understanding partner!
Dave W

PS Looks like it's an A272C [for console of course] 1957
The Original being the A146C.
Somebody correct me if this is iwrong.

Dr-Watts · 29th Mar 2008, 6:53 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickthedentist

Very nice! Does it sound as good as it looks?
Nick.

I must say, I'm surprised how good it sounds !

I listened to Bob Dylan's programme on Radio 2 last weekend and it was just brilliant.
Mainly big band and big production tunes that were from the same era as the radio (50's & 60's) and it sounded outstanding !
And thanks for the website tip

This confirms the age at 1957 - flippin eck, that makes it 51 years old !

Dr. Dave

dave walsh · 29th Mar 2008, 7:12 pm

Very appropriate for the emphasis Dylan has on 40's/50's material Dave.
I suppose an early US set like the Tombstone Model could be even better.
[Especially if he featured Tombstone Blues but he isn't going to do his own stuff on Theme Time]. I like the baffle concept Murphy developed.
Ideal repro for an 8" spkr is apparently a 4'6" square board. Not very living room friendly! Murphy sets utilised the problem of folding this up into a useable box as a design challenge. Some are definetely not so beautiful but the ones that succeed are prominent in the baffle range [Console or Table Top] making appearances at "Britain Can Make It" 1946 or the Festival of Britain 1951 for example.

An e-mail Mr D read out during one program commented "Great show but why do you play so many old records Bob?" He said "Well Shirley, I guess there's just more of em!"

Dave W

MALC SCOTT · 29th Mar 2008, 7:27 pm

Hi, I have the same model set in my bedroom. It looks good and sounds nice. It has been left on all night many times.
Cheers, Malc.

Tim · 29th Mar 2008, 8:05 pm

Hi Dr. Dave
If it is a Murphy A272C, these sound fantastic. The speaker is huge, and coupled with the large output valve(6P1?) and baffle certainly sounds impressive. One of these was one of my first proper valve radio repairs( see Paul's Main site) and ISTR the problem was mostly with the wax and Hunts decouplers(the latter tend to go open or low value). Mine was a repair for the guys at Eastville telephone exchange (Bristol) and is apparently still going strong after five years.

Leon Crampin · 29th Mar 2008, 10:23 pm

Another A272C owner here. Excellent sets as others have confirmed - try playing CDs via the gram input. The 10" Celestion 'speaker works particularly well on the large floor mounted baffle although if I'm being critical, it's a little lacking in top.

The restoration of my set was straightforward. The AM aerial coil assembly has no can although it looks as though it should have one. On my set, the pick up sockets on the chassis (not the rear panel) were wired backwards - easily corrected by plugging in the flying leads to suit. The 'speaker on/off switch on the back is hopeless - link it out.

I use mine every day and it still has all its original valves - although I have a set of spares.

Leon.

29th Mar 2008, 6:27 pm	#1
Dr-Watts Heptode Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, UK. Posts: 696	Just finished restoring this Murphy, but what is it ? Hi all, I'm ususally in the TV forum but I feel obliged to let you know about the first radio restoration I've done in years ! I used to collect radiogram's but when the kids came along and we moved house they all had to go except one of em, which would you believe the wife wanted me to keep ! Anyway, I've been looking for a nice VHF radio for the bedroom for a while, preferably a 'Decca 66' but to no avail. When I was at Harpendon last year I spotted this 'not so' lovely Murphy console radio with VHF. I called Faith to let her know that I'd bought 'an item', and she said "as long as it's not another TV set, that's alright". (I did buy another TV while I was there but it's small and I got away with it !) To my massive surprise she loved the Murphy and said that it'd look great in the bedroom ! It basically worked but VHF was terribly deaf and quiet and AM was very crackley. So, as I'd not done a radio since the mid 90's, I took it to Gerry's 'workshop day' in January. After a complete 'Hunts' overhall, a few resistors and some TLC the radio works very well and sounds fantastic. I tried to get 50 years of crud off last night and found that the only thing that would shift it was Meths After all the dirt was removed I gave it a buff up with some paint restorer and then a good going over with some furniture polish and the resulting finish is brilliant. Anyway, it looks like the dirt preserved it fairly well, in face there's no need for a complete cab restoration, I just touched up on the few scratches it had. Anyway, here are some pictures for you. PS: Can anyone let me know the model No. as it's I can't find it, and a year please ? Kind Regards Dr. Dave __________________ Do you have the scope to be a TV repair man

29th Mar 2008, 6:34 pm	#2
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,841	Re: Just finished restoring this Murphy, but what is it ? Very nice! Does it sound as good as it looks? Maybe an A272C, see here: http://www.vintage-radio.com/recent-...phy-a272c.html See also here, which shows the tabletop version too. Surprisingly, the console version is only a little more costly: http://www.murphy-radio.co.uk/murphy...ios_Inside.jpg Nick. Last edited by Nickthedentist; 29th Mar 2008 at 6:49 pm.

29th Mar 2008, 6:42 pm	#3
dave walsh Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ramsbottom (Nr Bury) Lancs or Bexhill (Nr Hastings) Sussex. Posts: 5,817	Re: Just finished restoring this Murphy, but what is it ? Searching Hard Drive for Model No Dave. I've got one of these but it's not in that condition! I was actually surprised to find there was a version with VHF when I picked it up [Prestwich Manchester 1996] but of course the extra band is a clue re dating. I've seen the much earlier one as an accessory in up-market House Design Mags. You may be able to use that as an arguement if you want one of those as well. The comments you make confirm what we said about the good fortune to have an understanding partner! Dave W PS Looks like it's an A272C [for console of course] 1957 The Original being the A146C. Somebody correct me if this is iwrong. Last edited by dave walsh; 29th Mar 2008 at 6:53 pm.

29th Mar 2008, 7:12 pm	#5
dave walsh Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ramsbottom (Nr Bury) Lancs or Bexhill (Nr Hastings) Sussex. Posts: 5,817	Re: Just finished restoring this Murphy, but what is it ? Very appropriate for the emphasis Dylan has on 40's/50's material Dave. I suppose an early US set like the Tombstone Model could be even better. [Especially if he featured Tombstone Blues but he isn't going to do his own stuff on Theme Time]. I like the baffle concept Murphy developed. Ideal repro for an 8" spkr is apparently a 4'6" square board. Not very living room friendly! Murphy sets utilised the problem of folding this up into a useable box as a design challenge. Some are definetely not so beautiful but the ones that succeed are prominent in the baffle range [Console or Table Top] making appearances at "Britain Can Make It" 1946 or the Festival of Britain 1951 for example. An e-mail Mr D read out during one program commented "Great show but why do you play so many old records Bob?" He said "Well Shirley, I guess there's just more of em!" Dave W

29th Mar 2008, 7:27 pm	#6
MALC SCOTT Octode Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Willington, County Durham, UK. Posts: 1,499	Re: Just finished restoring this Murphy, but what is it ? Hi, I have the same model set in my bedroom. It looks good and sounds nice. It has been left on all night many times. Cheers, Malc. __________________ Malc Scott

29th Mar 2008, 8:05 pm	#7
Tim Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 3,308	Re: Just finished restoring this Murphy, but what is it ? Hi Dr. Dave If it is a Murphy A272C, these sound fantastic. The speaker is huge, and coupled with the large output valve(6P1?) and baffle certainly sounds impressive. One of these was one of my first proper valve radio repairs( see Paul's Main site) and ISTR the problem was mostly with the wax and Hunts decouplers(the latter tend to go open or low value). Mine was a repair for the guys at Eastville telephone exchange (Bristol) and is apparently still going strong after five years. __________________ "Nothing is as dangerous as being too modern;one is apt to grow old fashioned quite suddenly."

29th Mar 2008, 10:23 pm	#8
Leon Crampin Octode Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Surrey, UK. Posts: 1,870	Re: Just finished restoring this Murphy, but what is it ? Another A272C owner here. Excellent sets as others have confirmed - try playing CDs via the gram input. The 10" Celestion 'speaker works particularly well on the large floor mounted baffle although if I'm being critical, it's a little lacking in top. The restoration of my set was straightforward. The AM aerial coil assembly has no can although it looks as though it should have one. On my set, the pick up sockets on the chassis (not the rear panel) were wired backwards - easily corrected by plugging in the flying leads to suit. The 'speaker on/off switch on the back is hopeless - link it out. I use mine every day and it still has all its original valves - although I have a set of spares. Leon.