New member acquires first Scott radio

[Richard Sowry]

Hello All.  

  As stated I'm a new member that acquired my first Scott.  I've been restoring radios for 10 yrs. now and I love the challenge this one looks to be.  I believe it is a Allwave 12 without AVC.  Serial no. B-221.  It has 4-56 tubes, 4-24 tubes and 1-51/35 tube.  Does not have the Wunderlich tube.  It has the dual speakers mounted on the baffle board.  I am wondering if the cabinet is an original Scott cabinet.  The chassis is mounted on the bottom shelf with thw speakers mounted above and the power pack mounted on a shelf to the left side of the cabinet.  I will try to add some pictures.

  Thanks for the inclusion to your forum.

  Dick Sowry

[Kent King]

Dick -

Welcome to the site! That is certainly a unique cabinet. While it doesn't show up in any Scott catalogs that I am aware of, they did a lot of custom work. Some of the work here looks newer (the board the P/S is sitting on, and the speaker placement...my best guess is someone found this very impressive cabinet and decided to put a Scott in it. What does the face behind the door look like?

You are correct, you have the very early (1932) version of the AW12, without AVC. This is largely like the earlier 2-dial set but uses the newly developed bandswitch system Scott patented. I have one of these in my collection, they are a great sounding set, even without the later technologies Scott would add. You've got a great piece there, well worth keeping and restoring!

In the Scott Info Archive (link at the top of the page), you can find some data on this set. Look in "Set Folders" and "Allwave Deluxe". The materials for both AVC and non-AVC are in there, but you should be able to find what you need. There is only one known schematic for the tuner, I'll have to see if it is in there...if not, I'll find it and add it. It only appeared in a period magazine, Scott never published a diagram for the non-AVC set that I am aware of. 

If you have questions, just ask! This group is good with helping others on their efforts.

Welcome!

Kent

[David C. Poland]

Scott was a custom set builder and he was continually improving his radio offering. Each was built upon receiving a purchase order. So you may need to reference more than one circuit diagram.

In Spring 1932, Scott advanced from the 12 tube 2-Dial model with single speaker and plug in coils for short wave to  single dial tuning with the built-in coil changing mechanism you have. Your example uses the new 56  tubes (replacing 27's) in the tuner in but still the older 24A's in the IF Amp. Next, the twin speakers mid 1932 together with moving the big B+ voltage divider ceramic resistor from the amp to the tuner. Late 1932, revised tube line up introducing 58's in the IF amp and the Wunderlich tube 2nd detecter with push-pull detection and AVC.

Scott built advanced radios but not cabinets. Instead, Scott had an arrangement with high end Rockford Peerless furniture Co for a number of exclusive cabinets at various costs, if desired.  There were a number of cabinet companies selling radio cabinets into the early 1930's. I have seen a couple fancy ones like yours with an early Scott installed. 

I agree your cabinet was sourced elsewhere.

For the chrome, I like liquid Turtle brand liquid chrome polish.

[Alex R. Whitaker]

Dick,

Welcome to the forum!  I agree with Dave, below, that this is an aftermarket cabinet.  I have seen one of these before, in pictures, on the web.  Your set is well worth restoring, and will be pretty spectacular when you get it done.  Looks like the only work you have to do on the cabinet is gluing that crack in it, on top of the speaker.  Let us know how, with pictures, your work progresses. 

[Richard Sowry]

Thank you all for the welcome.

  Kent I think I found the schematic but if there is a more thorough one I would appreciate a copy of it.  I see you are keeping a register of the serial nos.  This one is B-221 in case you missed it.

  David, I've been reading up on these early Scotts since I got one.  It is very interesting reading.  The chrome on this one needs some work.  Any advise on restoring the chrome would be helpful.

   Alex, I've gotten half way decent in restoring radio cabinets and this one is not bad at all.  

   Here's a picture of the front with the doors open.

[David C. Poland]

You have a correct set of Scott knobs.

One speaker field coil is in the B+ circuit. The other field in the bias circuit for the output tubes.

As for the chrome, I think you have good potential. Just take some time. I like small squares of old terry cloth towel as an applicator. Be generous with the liquid chrome polish. Change the cloth squares frequently to minimize picking up grit which will further scratch up the chrome. Develop your technique on the amp first.

On the receiver, the big coil covers are press fit, and can be teased off by rocking them. For the IF coil can covers, you will have to un-solder the coax grid cables,  to access the cap inside to replace. 

For the coil wheel inside, be sure to turn the band switch to full counter clockwise (Broadcast band) before dismounting the coil wheel AND do not disturb the band switch until after to re-install the coil wheel. Otherwise you risk breaking a switch in the overhead antenna coil, operated by the band switch shaft.

Good Luck.

[Richard Sowry]

Thanks for the info, David.  I've got a couple radios to finish up before I can tackle this one but I appreciate all the help and information you guys can provide.  

Thanks again

Dick

[Kent King]

This is the only known diagram for the model set you have. Tuner only, but it should help!

Kent