Scott Sixteen knob layout

[palegreenthumb]

I'm sure several of you are watching the Scott Sixteen on eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/232193218039).

I'm curious about the knob layout.  To me it looks more like a Masterpiece or maybe a Phantom. I don't know a lot about Scott's modus operandi.  Did they regularly produce radios with extra knobs?  This radio obviously came from the factory like this, but what are the extra knobs?

The knob escutcheons aren't even the usual ones for a Sixteen.  Did Scott have one set of escutcheons for Sixteens and a different set for Phantoms, regardless of knob count?  Or did they have one set of escutcheons for 5-knob radios and a different set for 7-knob radios, regardless of model?

Thanks for any insight!

[Joseph W Strickland]

I see one Phantom version shown on page 54 of the latest edition of "The E. H. Scott Radio Collectors Guide" which looks similar, having the same number of knobs in the same positions and also having the small button(?) below the tuning knob. This leads me to wonder if this is one of the chassis that was returned to E. H. Scott Radio Laboratories for refurbishing and modernization. If so it may have a few improvements over the way it was originally produced.

The Masterpiece has the same arrangement of knobs, but is missing the small button/switch under the tuning knob.

Joe

[Norman S Braithwaite]

We all know that EH Scott Radio Laboratories continually improved their circuits through the model runs.  It is likely that this was a very late Sixteen just before being replaced with the 18-tube Phantom incorporating some but not all of the features of the Phantom.

Norman

[Joseph W Strickland]

Norman;

That is a very likely case. The schematic will probably not match the original one released with the model 16 either. Lets hope that whoever acquires the unit will join this group, determine the differences and document what is found and provide the data to the archives here for posterity.

Joe

[David C. Poland]

I asked the seller several questions when an active listing.

Appears to be a modified example of the Sixteen (1937-8).

The Ser # DD-15 is the lowest in Kent's ser # data base for a Sixteen - so it is really early production.

The push-pull button below tuning knob is gone (Sensitivity).

Some rearrangement of the controls and one reads "Sensitivity".

The round escutcheons are the 1939-41 style. 

Two of the control escutcheons read " BASS".   

Kent & I speculate it was returned to factory (massive failure under 5 year guarantee window?)  and rebuilt more in line with with later models. Still has the usual 16 tube complement.

[Kent King]

As Dave said, we've been discussing it. There are 2 schematics for the Sixteen, one clearly earlier than the other. Notable difference: the later schematic has a two position selectivity control (Sharp, Broad), which is a 2 pos/3 gang switch. It would have to be a new/added control. So let's take this as a working theory...please punch holes in it:

This was an early 16, and was returned to the factory either as a trade-in or for heavy repair. In any case, they heavily modify it, adding the selectivity and other updates. But now the knobs aren't symmetrical, so they also move the push-pull switch to a "right left" control and go with two groups of 3 knobs on each side of the center line. But this also creates another problem: escutcheons. The usual 16/18 escutcheons are the "rounded rectangular" design, but they only have 4 labels: wc, vol, fid and bass. So to make the modified set look right, you remove the originals and use the now current Philly/Phantom style escutcheons which also have the required labeling.

Still not sure why he has two bass escutcheons though. Mistake, nothing correct available? I'd sure like to examine this chassis....I don't know who the buyer is, but I'd make them a deal on restoring it if I could have a chance to examine it before it gets "molested" :-)

Kent