Anyone know anything about this odd set? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

kalee99 · 3rd Jun 2009, 10:44 pm

Hi all,
I bought this set as a "mystery set". It is very well made. the cabinet is steel and the only identification mark found so far is the letters "G L", around the tuning window. Valves are all MO types. Four wavebands comprising MW, LW and two short wave. All very well built and mysterious

Any advice most welcome.
Thanks,
Paul.

Skywave · 4th Jun 2009, 10:58 am

Despite having a thorough look through my resources, afraid that it beats me!
However, a few comments may help others.

Since it covers LW, it rules out USA as a manufacturer.
The MO valves possibly hint at a Murphy association.
The metal case for a domestic radio is particularly unusual. Also that speaker grille.

I don't suppose you have the back to it?

I'm assuming that the cryptic "GL" refers to the manufacturer. But this might not necessarily be the case . . . .

Having said that - it's a nice looking radio; front is in good condition.

Sorry can't be of further help.

Al. / Skywave.

paulsherwin · 4th Jun 2009, 11:13 am

The tuning scale identifies it as a Brit from the immediate postwar years (the Third Programme isn't marked.) Perhaps it's a 'Naafi set' made for use by the military? The second SW band would tend to support this.

Paul

mickjjo · 4th Jun 2009, 11:59 am

I wonder if the "GL" refers to "Good Listening Ltd" , As mentioned HERE , I have a "GL" badged Philco A3626 with a plate on the back stating "Property of Good Listening Ltd, contact local branch for service". I assume this was a rental company.

Regards, Mick.

Alan Stepney · 4th Jun 2009, 12:08 pm

Good Listening Ltd was indeed a rental company. Head Office in Wallisdown Rd, Bournemouth, they had around 30 branches, in Hampshire, Dorset and one or two in Sussex.
They rented radios, from various makers, and TV's mostly Sobel in the latter days, but earlier, some Plessey.

yestertech · 4th Jun 2009, 12:19 pm

There was one of these in the recent auction of Bill Caten's EKCO colection - I had (wrongly !) assumed it was something to do with them
However, looking at the auction site pic it also has the letters GL on the dial surround !
I'm sure one appeared on E-BAY with a mention of EKCO ( could be one and the same of course )
I can't see them using MO valves though !

Andy

jjl · 4th Jun 2009, 12:59 pm

I've got one of these GL sets, but the case of mine is black with a white grill. I've wondered what it was for years. It appears to have the same chassis as the set in this thread

http://vintage-radio.net/forum/showthread.php?t=26554

Valve lineup in my set is TH41, VP41, HL41DD PEN45 & UU6.

John

3rd Jun 2009, 10:44 pm	#1
kalee99 Rest in Peace Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyneside, UK. Posts: 420	Anyone know anything about this odd set? Hi all, I bought this set as a "mystery set". It is very well made. the cabinet is steel and the only identification mark found so far is the letters "G L", around the tuning window. Valves are all MO types. Four wavebands comprising MW, LW and two short wave. All very well built and mysterious Any advice most welcome. Thanks, Paul. Attached Thumbnails

4th Jun 2009, 10:58 am	#2
Skywave Rest in Peace Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chard, South Somerset, UK. Posts: 7,457	Re: Anyone know anything about this odd set? Despite having a thorough look through my resources, afraid that it beats me! However, a few comments may help others. Since it covers LW, it rules out USA as a manufacturer. The MO valves possibly hint at a Murphy association. The metal case for a domestic radio is particularly unusual. Also that speaker grille. I don't suppose you have the back to it? I'm assuming that the cryptic "GL" refers to the manufacturer. But this might not necessarily be the case . . . . Having said that - it's a nice looking radio; front is in good condition. Sorry can't be of further help. Al. / Skywave.

4th Jun 2009, 11:13 am	#3
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 26,774	Re: Anyone know anything about this odd set? The tuning scale identifies it as a Brit from the immediate postwar years (the Third Programme isn't marked.) Perhaps it's a 'Naafi set' made for use by the military? The second SW band would tend to support this. Paul

4th Jun 2009, 11:59 am	#4
mickjjo Rest in Peace Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dartford, Kent, UK. Posts: 1,661	Re: Anyone know anything about this odd set? I wonder if the "GL" refers to "Good Listening Ltd" , As mentioned HERE , I have a "GL" badged Philco A3626 with a plate on the back stating "Property of Good Listening Ltd, contact local branch for service". I assume this was a rental company. Regards, Mick.

4th Jun 2009, 12:08 pm	#5
Alan Stepney Rest in Peace Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Dorset, UK. Posts: 947	Re: Anyone know anything about this odd set? Good Listening Ltd was indeed a rental company. Head Office in Wallisdown Rd, Bournemouth, they had around 30 branches, in Hampshire, Dorset and one or two in Sussex. They rented radios, from various makers, and TV's mostly Sobel in the latter days, but earlier, some Plessey.

4th Jun 2009, 12:19 pm	#6
yestertech Nonode Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Coulsdon, Surrey, UK. Posts: 2,070	Re: Anyone know anything about this odd set? There was one of these in the recent auction of Bill Caten's EKCO colection - I had (wrongly !) assumed it was something to do with them However, looking at the auction site pic it also has the letters GL on the dial surround ! I'm sure one appeared on E-BAY with a mention of EKCO ( could be one and the same of course ) I can't see them using MO valves though ! Andy

4th Jun 2009, 12:59 pm	#7
jjl Octode Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ware, Herts. UK. Posts: 1,072	Re: Anyone know anything about this odd set? I've got one of these GL sets, but the case of mine is black with a white grill. I've wondered what it was for years. It appears to have the same chassis as the set in this thread http://vintage-radio.net/forum/showthread.php?t=26554 Valve lineup in my set is TH41, VP41, HL41DD PEN45 & UU6. John