Philharmonic AM/FM

[Robert Feenstra]

Ever since I first heard of EH Scott radios and joined this forum, I've been looking for a Philharmonic to "fall into my lap". Well, when Ron R. sold me his Marine SLRM I saw his AM/FM Philharmonic sitting in the corner.  When he offered it for sale, I knew I would own it, I just didn't know how soon.  Now, a couple of months later, it's here in my possession.  Thank you Ron!

This will be a major project including some re-chroming.  I want to do the radio and Ron proud!  I heard Dave's (in Northern Michigan) Philharmonic (and a lot of other radios!) and decided I needed to get right on it.  So, the work has begun.  I decided to start with the amp/power supply as that is the easiest.  Because of all the small parts around the transformers, it's also the most expensive to re-chrome (driver transformer cover, IF shields and tube shields will not be re-chromed as they can easily be destroyed, though I may give Dave's re-chroming shop in Milwaukee a try.)

This Philharmonic did not have tweeters.  I would like to add them if i can find a set.

Also, since the FM is useless without a converter to the current FM frequencies, I'll be looking for a converter.  i saw the schematic in the archives.  Maybe i'll have to build one.

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[Scott Seickel]

I paid somewhere from $30 to $40 to have them done in the past.  The guy who did them is out of business and I know he struggled with them, but finally got a  decent finish.  If he was still in business I am sure he would not do them for that price again.   I am just saying that some platers come up with crazy prices. Let me know how it works out because I have some more that need replating. 

[Robert Feenstra]

Ouch!  Dave said he had one done for a FAR lower price.  I'll send them a photo of the pieces I have and get an approximate price from them.

[Scott Seickel]

Make sure you get a price first.  I had some nutty plater in Chicago price the coil covers at $300 EACH. 

[Robert Feenstra]

Well bummer.  My local chrome plating shop went out of business.  Now I need to find another.  Dave mentioned one out in Wisconsin that was willing to do the coil shields as well.  I may contact them.

[Robert Feenstra]

Thanks Scott.  I will contact him.  I heard thru the grapevine that someone on this forum was also experimenting with a converter.  If so, that may become available well.

[Scott Seickel]

As for the covers, I have had some guys successfully do them, others get them stripped and bail out of the job, or struggle.  Some of the earlier coil covers are thick and likely zinc.  Advanced Plating in TN has been successful with the aluminum covers in the past.  

Regarding your question about a FM converter, there is a guy on the Antique Radio Forum who goes by username Penthode.  He has made converters in the past from old TV tuner subbers.  I purchased one a few years ago and they are excellent.  He currently doesn't have any available, but recently mentioned that he was going to make more.  You might want to contact him. 

[Scott Seickel]

I remember the 16 you did, sorry I did not realize that was you.

[Robert Feenstra]

The amp/PS is ready to take to the chrome shop.DSC_1100.jpg

[Robert Feenstra]

Thanks Scott.  I had my Scott 16 completely re-chromed.  I believe the amp and all the small parts on the transformers cost me just under $500.  The tuner chassis was actually less as there was only 2 parts.  I did not do any of the shields as the chrome shop would not touch them lest they destroy them.

[Scott Seickel]

The tuner chassis looks pretty clean, at least what I can see in the pic.  The amp chassis always seems to be in worse condition as it is near the floor.  I have rechromed 3 Philharmonic amps and one AW-23.   Not really hard to do, buy you need to exercise care taking it apart and putting it back together, especially the transformer.  The loop from the filament winding of the transformer needs to be opened up and carefully removed from the phenolic plate.  The rivets need to be drilled out and be careful with the sockets going to the tuner as they are rather delicate.  It is pretty easy to rivet it back as original if you purchase a rivet set, though for the side rivets you might need to make one.  I used all new stainless hardware that matched the original style.  Not available in your local hardware store.   I paid about $600 for a rechrome of all the amp parts, so it is not cheap, but in my opinion, well worth it for a rusted chassis.   Good luck and let me know if you have any questions, though I tend not to monitor activity on the blogs here but rather the main forum posts, so if you friend me I can give you my email address if you would like.