Stunning Pye Model K, 1932 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Al (astral highway) · 20th Dec 2007, 6:38 pm

I am in the middle of my tedious annual home office clear-out and just found an amazing picture of the Pye Model K wireless, from 1932.

The set is part of the Geffrye Museum's permanent collection. They have displays of rooms from about 1600 onwards, decorated in authentic period detail and this set is on permanent display as part of the '30s living room.

The cabinet has an amazing 'rising sun' motif which stands in relief from the fine veneer behind.

Does anyone have such a set? Lucky you if you do! It's one of the rare times I've reacted so strongly to a cabinet alone.

Does anyone have a picture of it to post ? -- I only have a small postcard here.

ppppenguin · 20th Dec 2007, 7:08 pm

The Pye "sunburst" sets are not uncommon. You may not see them at every vintage wireless meeting but they are definitely around. There were quite a few different models. You sometimes see a similar sunburst motif in between wars domestic stained glass.

Pye dropped the design after the war, supposedly because of its resemblance to the Japanese flag.

Ed_Dinning · 20th Dec 2007, 7:17 pm

Hi Al, if you look in Radio,Radio you will see several sets in this family, the only 2 that are virtually identical cabinet wise are the G and the S. I have both of them and they are good sets. When I re-furbished the S all the caps were fine but a few of the resistors were well out.

Ed

Al (astral highway) · 20th Dec 2007, 7:56 pm

Quote:

The Pye "sunburst" sets are not uncommon.

Well, good. I'll definitely be keeping my eye out for one in any condition!

Steve_Bell · 20th Dec 2007, 8:15 pm

Here's a picture of my Pye Model Q, with risng sun fretwork.

Al (astral highway) · 20th Dec 2007, 8:30 pm

It's a great specimen. Thanks!

Ed_Dinning · 20th Dec 2007, 10:03 pm

Hi Al, they are quite easy to work on electrically amd I have the manuals, but spanner skills are called for in some of the dismantling operations.
The main iten to beware of is the tuning gang. This is made of monkey metal and can simply fall apart. If this happens all is not lost as it should be possible to re-engineer the set to take a modern cap.

Ed

Al (astral highway) · 20th Dec 2007, 10:31 pm

Hi Ed,

I'm definitely keeping my eyes open for one now. It's something I'd like to find sometime during next year. No hurry, but the search is on!

mickjjo · 20th Dec 2007, 11:27 pm

Gerry Wells has a nice display of "Rising Sun" Pyes, (Third picture down on the left)

http://www.bvwm.org.uk/tour/photos3.htm

Some models have knobs made from Mazak that can crumble and turn into sugar.....

.

Regards, Mick.

Al (astral highway) · 21st Dec 2007, 12:56 am

Quote:

Some models have knobs made from Mazak that can crumble and turn into sugar.....

.

What's Mazak? What do you look out for?

Darren-UK · 21st Dec 2007, 1:08 am

Mazak is/was a type of Zinc alloy used for diecasting. It's infamous for warping, shrinking and eventually crumbing away due, I believe, to impurities in the alloy. See references to 'Monkey Metal' in posts above.

I'm not sure how common Mazak was in radio manufacture, but Pye sets have become well known for it over time. Please keep this thread relevant to the Pye model K please folks

.

20th Dec 2007, 6:38 pm	#1
Al (astral highway) Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London, UK. Posts: 3,496	Stunning Pye Model K, 1932 I am in the middle of my tedious annual home office clear-out and just found an amazing picture of the Pye Model K wireless, from 1932. The set is part of the Geffrye Museum's permanent collection. They have displays of rooms from about 1600 onwards, decorated in authentic period detail and this set is on permanent display as part of the '30s living room. The cabinet has an amazing 'rising sun' motif which stands in relief from the fine veneer behind. Does anyone have such a set? Lucky you if you do! It's one of the rare times I've reacted so strongly to a cabinet alone. Does anyone have a picture of it to post ? -- I only have a small postcard here. __________________ Al

20th Dec 2007, 7:08 pm	#2
ppppenguin Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North London, UK. Posts: 6,168	Re: Stunning Pye Model K, 1932 The Pye "sunburst" sets are not uncommon. You may not see them at every vintage wireless meeting but they are definitely around. There were quite a few different models. You sometimes see a similar sunburst motif in between wars domestic stained glass. Pye dropped the design after the war, supposedly because of its resemblance to the Japanese flag.

20th Dec 2007, 7:17 pm	#3
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,194	Re: Stunning Pye Model K, 1932 Hi Al, if you look in Radio,Radio you will see several sets in this family, the only 2 that are virtually identical cabinet wise are the G and the S. I have both of them and they are good sets. When I re-furbished the S all the caps were fine but a few of the resistors were well out. Ed

20th Dec 2007, 8:15 pm	#5
Steve_Bell Hexode Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 474	Re: Stunning Pye Model K, 1932 Here's a picture of my Pye Model Q, with risng sun fretwork. Attached Thumbnails

20th Dec 2007, 8:30 pm	#6
Al (astral highway) Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London, UK. Posts: 3,496	Re: Stunning Pye Model K, 1932 It's a great specimen. Thanks! __________________ Al

20th Dec 2007, 10:03 pm	#7
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,194	Re: Stunning Pye Model K, 1932 Hi Al, they are quite easy to work on electrically amd I have the manuals, but spanner skills are called for in some of the dismantling operations. The main iten to beware of is the tuning gang. This is made of monkey metal and can simply fall apart. If this happens all is not lost as it should be possible to re-engineer the set to take a modern cap. Ed

20th Dec 2007, 10:31 pm	#8
Al (astral highway) Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London, UK. Posts: 3,496	Re: Stunning Pye Model K, 1932 Hi Ed, I'm definitely keeping my eyes open for one now. It's something I'd like to find sometime during next year. No hurry, but the search is on! __________________ Al

20th Dec 2007, 11:27 pm	#9
mickjjo Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dartford, Kent, UK. Posts: 1,661	Re: Stunning Pye Model K, 1932 Gerry Wells has a nice display of "Rising Sun" Pyes, (Third picture down on the left) http://www.bvwm.org.uk/tour/photos3.htm Some models have knobs made from Mazak that can crumble and turn into sugar..... . Regards, Mick.

21st Dec 2007, 1:08 am	#11
Darren-UK Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 4,061	Re: Stunning Pye Model K, 1932 Mazak is/was a type of Zinc alloy used for diecasting. It's infamous for warping, shrinking and eventually crumbing away due, I believe, to impurities in the alloy. See references to 'Monkey Metal' in posts above. I'm not sure how common Mazak was in radio manufacture, but Pye sets have become well known for it over time. Please keep this thread relevant to the Pye model K please folks .