Murphy A4, A Radio Too Far? - Page 2 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

tedzed1 · 26th May 2011, 12:50 pm

Thanks for the further suggestions and comments everyone,

Paul, thanks for the possibility of a make for the unknown woodie, I think I need to do some more digging about this one.

Andrew, the horizontal bars on the front face, they look like stain or toner, as they are flush and not raised.

Mark, I think I am going to tackle the electronics first, then I will have to decide on the cabinet when I dis-assemble it, but it does not look promising, at least it is all flat panels, the only pieces with corners are the top ones on ether side, and they look reusable, so I think apart from them, it means a total new cabinet.

JoshWard · 28th May 2011, 12:32 am

That's a beautiful looking set and will be well worth the effort. You will also be able to learn a lot too

The Pye is indeed an MP/40. Got one here on the to do pile in a similar state (although I haven't seen it in over a year now... it's somewhere near the bottom

).

Josh.

hansomcommon · 28th May 2014, 11:32 am

Hi tedzed1, did you manage to save your Murphy A4 please? The valves look original & the thing could work so well!

Phil G4SPZ · 28th May 2014, 12:08 pm

At least the most important bit of the A4 is still there - the three-cornered star! We have one of these sets at the museum, and its star is missing.

My own instincts would initially be to try to salvage the front, base, top and the right hand side of the cabinet, and make a new left side. However I would worry that live woodworm may still be lurking, dormant, just waiting to wake up shortly after you've finished all the hard work and start munching away from the inside, which would really spoil your day. So possibly a complete new cabinet is the best way to go, although it's a lot of work... more power to your elbow!

SurreyNick · 28th May 2014, 8:14 pm

There's one for sale on ebay right now. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rare-Vinta...item3ce1eed650
Might be worth a look.
As far as value is concerned, two others have sold on ebay in the last year. They went for £19.99 and £22.60 respectively. It's going to cost a lot more than that to do a proper cabinet refurb, so do it for love, not for value.

SurreyNick · 29th May 2014, 7:47 am

Paul
If you look really closely I think you will find that the three horizontal bands on the cabinet front are inlaid veneer lines, probably rosewood, but could even be stained box wood. It's difficult to tell. The main veneer is walnut.

26th May 2011, 12:50 pm	#21
tedzed1 Hexode Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Tamworth, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 320	Re: Murphy A4, A Radio Too Far? Thanks for the further suggestions and comments everyone, Paul, thanks for the possibility of a make for the unknown woodie, I think I need to do some more digging about this one. Andrew, the horizontal bars on the front face, they look like stain or toner, as they are flush and not raised. Mark, I think I am going to tackle the electronics first, then I will have to decide on the cabinet when I dis-assemble it, but it does not look promising, at least it is all flat panels, the only pieces with corners are the top ones on ether side, and they look reusable, so I think apart from them, it means a total new cabinet. __________________ Cheers Paul.

28th May 2011, 12:32 am	#22
JoshWard Octode Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Near Stowmarket, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 1,962	Re: Murphy A4, A Radio Too Far? That's a beautiful looking set and will be well worth the effort. You will also be able to learn a lot too The Pye is indeed an MP/40. Got one here on the to do pile in a similar state (although I haven't seen it in over a year now... it's somewhere near the bottom ). Josh.

28th May 2014, 11:32 am	#23
hansomcommon Pentode Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Alton, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 170	Re: Murphy A4, A Radio Too Far? Hi tedzed1, did you manage to save your Murphy A4 please? The valves look original & the thing could work so well!

28th May 2014, 12:08 pm	#24
Phil G4SPZ Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 4,748	Re: Murphy A4, A Radio Too Far? At least the most important bit of the A4 is still there - the three-cornered star! We have one of these sets at the museum, and its star is missing. My own instincts would initially be to try to salvage the front, base, top and the right hand side of the cabinet, and make a new left side. However I would worry that live woodworm may still be lurking, dormant, just waiting to wake up shortly after you've finished all the hard work and start munching away from the inside, which would really spoil your day. So possibly a complete new cabinet is the best way to go, although it's a lot of work... more power to your elbow! __________________ Phil Optimist [n]: One who is not in possession of the full facts

28th May 2014, 8:14 pm	#25
SurreyNick Heptode Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Wigton, Cumbria, UK. Posts: 728	Re: Murphy A4, A Radio Too Far? There's one for sale on ebay right now. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rare-Vinta...item3ce1eed650 Might be worth a look. As far as value is concerned, two others have sold on ebay in the last year. They went for £19.99 and £22.60 respectively. It's going to cost a lot more than that to do a proper cabinet refurb, so do it for love, not for value. Last edited by SurreyNick; 28th May 2014 at 8:17 pm. Reason: Addition

29th May 2014, 7:47 am	#26
SurreyNick Heptode Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Wigton, Cumbria, UK. Posts: 728	Re: Murphy A4, A Radio Too Far? Paul If you look really closely I think you will find that the three horizontal bands on the cabinet front are inlaid veneer lines, probably rosewood, but could even be stained box wood. It's difficult to tell. The main veneer is walnut.