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PHILCO PHORUM

 

Philco for 1937 (introduced June 1936)

Philco's 1937 model line was completely new; all 1936 model Philcos were discontinued. Many new Philco models made extensive use of Di-Noc (photofinish) finishes on their front panels; which means if you strip the finish off many of these 1937 models, you strip away its entire look; revealing very plain "white wood" underneath.

Most of the 1937 Philco line used a new development called "Unit Construction." Developed by Philco chief engineer David Grimes (whose claim to fame prior to Philco was his "Inverse Duplex" radio receivers of the 1920s), the new chassis construction mounted the set's entire "front end" (tuning condenser, coils, band switch and associated tubes) on its own chassis which was mounted in the center of the main chassis and supported by rubber grommets. These models are very difficult to service. Fortunately, Philco only used "Unit Construction" during the 1937 and 1938 model years, abandoning the idea afterwards.

Something else made its debut in 1937 Philcos: octal-based tubes. These, however, were not the metal shell octals that had been developed by GE and pushed hard by RCA for the past two years; 1937 Philco models used glass octal tubes with "ST" (taper-top) envelopes.

MODEL 37-33B

A new "entry level" battery set which used five tubes and received the AM band only. It could also be purchased as a console (shown immediately below).

Original selling price: $39.95
Number made: 113,600 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Model 37-84B as well as January 1937 Model 37-93B)


MODEL 37-33F

The console version of Model 37-33. This particular cabinet style was shared by several different Philco models.

Original selling price: $49.95
Number made: 50,400 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 37-34F, 37-38F, 37-60F, 37-61F, 37-89F & 37-611F)


MODEL 37-34B

This model was designed to operate on a 6 volt storage battery. It used five tubes and received the AM band.

Original selling price: $49.95
Number made: 102,200 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 37-60B, 37-61B & 37-89B)

Photo credit: Transoceanicjack


MODEL 37-34F

Original selling price: $65
Number made: 50,400 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 37-33F, 37-38F, 37-60F, 37-61F, 37-89F & 37-611F)


MODEL 37-38B

Model 38 was back for 1937 in a completely new form. This battery set used six tubes and covered AM and shortwave from 2.3 to 7.4 mc.

This photograph shows what often happens to the photofinished front panel over the years.

Original selling price: $49.95
Number made: 68,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 37-610B & 37-611B)


MODEL 37-38F

Original selling price:$65
Number made: 50,400 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 37-33F, 37-34F, 37-60F, 37-61F, 37-89F & 37-611F)


MODEL 37-38J

Original selling price: $69.95
Number made: 48,200 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Model 37-610J as well as June 1937 Model 38-610J)


MODEL 37-60B

Philco's Model 60 returned for the 1937 season as a completely new radio. It used five tubes, operated from 115 volts AC, and received AM and shortwave from 2.3 to 7.4 mc.

Original selling price: $33.50
Number made: 102,200 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 37-34B, 37-61B & 37-89B)

Photo credit: Clifford R. Huff


MODEL 37-60F

Original selling price: $42.50
Number made: 50,400 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 37-33F, 37-34F, 37-38F, 37-61F, 37-89F & 37-611F)


MODEL 37-61B

A variant of the 37-60, the new 61 could receive a higher range of shortwave frequencies (5.7 to 18.2 mc) as well as the standard AM band. It also had concentric two-speed tuning, something the new 37-60 did not have. This model also used five tubes and operated on 115 volts AC.

Original selling price: $37.50
Number made: 102,200 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 37-34B, 37-60B & 37-89B)

Photo credit: Ed Locker


MODEL 37-61F

Original selling price: $49.95
Number made: 50,400 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 37-33F, 37-34F, 37-38F, 37-60F, 37-89F & 37-611F)


MODEL 37-84B

Philco continued to offer a four-tube regenerative set as its "price leader" in the new 1937 lineup. Internally, the chassis was nearly the same as the old Model 84, except for the use of four octal-based tubes in place of the standard-based tubes used previously. It operated on 115 volts AC and received the AM band..

Original selling price: $20
Number made: 113,600 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Model 37-33B as well as January 1937 Model 37-93B)

 

MODEL 37-89B

This was the successor to the old Model 89. It used six tubes and covered AM and a low range of shortwave frequencies (1.5 to 3.7 mc).

Original selling price: $39.95
Number made: 102,200 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 37-34B, 37-60B & 37-61B)


MODEL 37-89F

Original selling price: $50
Number made: 50,400 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 37-33F, 37-34F, 37-38F, 37-60F, 37-61F & 37-611F)

 

MODEL 37-116X Standard

Philco's flagship model grew to 15 tubes for 1937 and became a true High Fidelity receiver with the use of a variable bandwidth control. The new 116 was no longer available as a Baby Grand model, but could be purchased as the Standard console (shown here), with a more conventional dial, or the De Luxe model (see immediately below).

It seems that most of these were built and sold as De Luxe models, as the Standard model is hard to find.

Both operated on 115 volts AC and had five tuning bands (530-1600 kc, 1.58-4.75 mc, 4.7-7.4 mc, 7.35-11.6 mc & 11.5-18.2 mc).

Original selling price: $175
Number made: 35,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Model 37-116X De Luxe)


MODEL 37-116X De Luxe

The 116 De Luxe offered Philco's new automatic tuning mechanism, but did not use the shadowmeter which was used in the Standard version. This was obviously the more popular of the two models, despite its higher cost.

Original selling price: $195
Number made: 35,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Model 37-116X Standard)


MODEL 37-600C

This new model was the successor to the mid-1936 Model 600, with a completely new cabinet. Like its predecessor, this cabinet looked the same on the back, except that the dial and controls were on the front only. The chassis was basically the same as the older 600, but now used four octal-based tubes. It still received the AM band only with its regenerative circuit, and operated on 115 volts AC.

Original selling price: $25
Number made: 98,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Model 37-602C)

Photo credit: Kim Bowers


MODEL 37-602C

This model was the successor to the mid-1936 Model 602. Like the 37-600 above, the 37-602 received a new cabinet. The internal electronics were similar to the 602, but now used five octal-based tubes. It could be operated from either AC or DC current.

Original selling price: $29.95
Number made: 98,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Model 37-600C)

Photo credit: Ed Locker


MODEL 37-604C

Basically a recycle of the mid-1936 Model 604, the new set now used five octal-based tubes. It received AM and shortwave from 6 to 18 mc, and operated on 115 volts, AC or DC.

Original selling price: $39.95
Number made: 10,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of January 1936 Model 604C)

Photo credit: William Dince


MODEL 37-610B

The 37-610 was the successor to the 1936 Model 610. Like the 610, the new model used five tubes and had three bands, but the frequency coverage was somewhat different (530-1720 kc, 2.3-7.4 mc & 7.35-22 mc). It operated on 115 volts AC.

Original selling price: $42.50
Number made: 68,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 37-38B & 37-611B)


MODEL 37-610T

The new 37-610 table model was available in Walnut (top) or Maple (bottom).

Original selling price: $45 (walnut), $47.50 (maple)
Number made: 28.100 (walnut - figure includes production of Model 37-611T), 3,000 (maple).

Photo credit (bottom photo): Clifford R. Huff


MODEL 37-610J

Original selling price: $59.95
Number made: 48,200 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Model 37-38J as well as June 1937 Model 38-610J)

Photo credit: Kim Bowers


MODEL 37-610PF

A radio-phonograph combination with a single play 78 rpm phonograph and a Model 37-610 chassis.

Original selling price: $125
Number made: 1,000


MODEL 37-611B

This Philco model was very similar to the new Model 37-610 (see above), also using five tubes, and it even had the same frequency coverage. The difference is that the 37-611 could operate on either AC or DC current.

Original selling price: $47.50
Number made: 68,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 37-38B & 37-610B)

Photo credit: Steve Dymale


MODEL 37-611T

This AC/DC table model Philco was available only in walnut veneer.

Original selling price: $49.95
Number made: 28,100 (NOTE: Figure includes production of walnut version of Model 37-610T)


MODEL 37-611F

Original selling price: $59.95
Number made: 50,400 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 37-33F, 37-34F, 37-38F, 37-60F, 37-61F & 37-89F)


MODEL 37-611J

Original selling price: $65
Number made: 62,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 37-620J, 37-623J, 37-624J & 37-2620J)


MODEL 37-620B

This new six tube Philco had three bands (AM, 2.3-7.4 mc & 7.35-22 mc), and operated on 115 volts AC.

Original selling price: $52.50
Number made: 50,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 37-623B, 37-624B & 37-2620B)

Photo credit: Kim Bowers


MODEL 37-620J

Original selling price: $69.95
Number made: 62,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 37-611J, 37-623J, 37-624J & 37-2620J)


MODEL 37-620CS

Philco's only chairside model for the 1937 season.

Original selling price: $83.95
Number made: 3,500

Photo credit: Kim Bowers


MODEL 37-623B

A new battery-operated Philco that could receive three bands: 530-1720 kc (AM), 2.3-7.4 mc & 7.35-22 mc. It used six tubes.

Original selling price: $65
Number made: 50,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 37-620B, 37-624B & 37-2620B)


MODEL 37-623J

Original selling price: $79.95
Number made: 62,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 37-611J, 37-620J, 37-624J & 37-2620J)


MODEL 37-624B

Like the 37-623, the new 37-624 used six tubes and could receive 530-1720 kc, 2.3-7.4 mc & 7.35-22 mc. However, this new Philco only required a single 6 volt storage battery for power.

Original selling price: $75
Number made: 50,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 37-620B, 37-623B & 37-2620B)


MODEL 37-624J

Original selling price: $89.95
Number made: 62,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 37-611J, 37-620J, 37-623J & 37-2620J)


MODEL 37-630T

The new 37-630 was quite similar to Model 37-620; both ran on 115 volts AC and had the same frequency coverage (530-1720 kc, 2.3-7.4 mc & 7.35-22 mc). However, the 37-630 also used a shadowmeter.

Original selling price: $62.50
Number made: 13,689

Photo credit: Chuck Schwark


MODEL 37-630X

The console version of the 37-630T, with the same electrical specifications as above. The 630X used a larger (10-1/2") speaker.

Original selling price: $79.95
Number made: 48,500

Photo credit: Steve Kanter


MODEL 37-640B

A seven tube, three band receiver that operated on 115 volts AC. Its frequency coverage included 530-1720 kc, 2.3-7.4 mc & 7.35-22 mc. A shadowmeter was used as a tuning aid.

Original selling price: $69.95
Number made: 7,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Model 37-641B)

Photo credit: Randy Winter


MODEL 37-640X

Original selling price: $89.95
Number made: 18,500 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Model 37-641X)

Photo credit: Wayne King


MODEL 37-640MX

Original selling price: $95
Number made: 6,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Model 37-641MX)

Photo credit: Phil Yarnell


MODEL 37-641B

The 37-641 was offered in three cabinets which were identical to Model 37-640. It had the same frequency coverage as the 37-640, and also used seven tubes. The three versions of Model 37-640 sold for the same prices as their 37-640 counterparts. The difference? Model 37-641 operated on either AC or DC current.

Original selling price: $69.95
Number made: 7,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Model 37-640B)


MODEL 37-641X

Original selling price: $89.95
Number made: 18,500 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Model 37-640X)


MODEL 37-641MX

Original selling price: $95
Number made: 6,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Model 37-640MX)


MODEL 37-643B

The 37-643 was the best Philco you could buy in 1937 if you needed a battery-operated receiver. It used seven tubes and had four bands: 530-1600 kc, 1.58-4.8 mc, 4.7-11.6 mc & 11.5-18.2 mc..

Original selling price: $89.95
Number made: 4,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 37-650B, 37-660B, 37-665B & 37-2650B)


MODEL 37-643X

A new, elegant, Inclined Sounding Board Philco for rural areas with no electricity. There was no finer battery-operated Philco in the 1937 model year.

Original selling price: $115
Number made: 14,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 37-660X & 37-665X)


MODEL 37-650B

A new eight tube, AC operated receiver with three tuning bands (530-1720 kc, 5.7-11.6 mc & 11.5-18.2 mc).

Original selling price: $79.95
Number made: 4,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 37-643B, 37-660B, 37-665B & 37-2650B)


MODEL 37-650X

There is a great deal of similarity between Models 37-630X and 37-650X. But there are some differences also; besides the fact that the 37-650X contains the eight tube 37-650 chassis (as opposed to the six tube 37-630), the styling along the top edge of the cabinets is slightly different. Also, the veneer on the control panel has a different pattern.

Original selling price: $100
Number made: 69,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Model 37-2650X)

Photo credit: Bill Hutchinson


MODEL 37-650PX

Here is another Philco radio-phonograph offering for the 1937 season, which used the 37-650 chassis, with a single play 78 rpm phonograph under the top lid.

Original selling price: $185
Number made: 1,500


MODEL 37-660B

A nine tube receiver with four band coverage (530-1720 kc, 2.3-7.4 mc, 7.35-11.6 mc & 11.5-18.2 mc), the 37-660 operated on 115 volts AC.

Original selling price: $89.95
Number made: 4,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 37-643B, 37-650B, 37-665B & 37-2650B)


MODEL 37-660X

The 37-660X was available in walnut (shown) or in mahogany.

Original selling price: $115
Number made: 14,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 37-643X & 37-665X)

Photo credit: William F. Honer


MODEL 37-665B

In appearance, the two versions of Model 37-665 were identical to the two 37-660 models. Both used nine tubes and operated on 115 volts AC. The difference was in the frequency coverage; the 37-665 could receive 530-1720 kc, 2.3-7.4 mc, 7.35-22 mc & 25-42 mc.

Original selling price: $99.50
Number made: 4,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 37-643B, 37-650B, 37-660B & 37-2650B)


MODEL 37-665X

Original selling price: $125
Number made: 14,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 37-643X & 37-660X)


MODEL 37-670B

The new 37-670 Baby Grand was the successor to the 1936 Model 116 Baby Grand. Both are similar in appearance and in size (although the 37-670 is larger in width & depth), and both use 11 tubes. The 37-670 has five bands which cover the following frequencies: 530-1600 kc, 1.58-4.75 mc, 4.7-7.4 mc, 7.35-11.6 mc & 11.5-18.2 mc. It operates on 115 volts AC.

Original selling price: $99.50
Number made: 9,500 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Model 37-2670B)

Photo credit: Doug Houston


MODEL 37-670X

The console version of Model 37-670B.

Original selling price: $139.50
Number made: 11,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Model 37-2670X)


MODEL 37-675X Standard

Another Philco which could be purchased with a conventional dial (Standard) or with Philco's Automatic Tuning mechanism (immediately below). Both versions operated on 115 volts AC, used 12 tubes, and had five bands (530-1600 kc, 1.58-4.75 mc, 4.7-7.4 mc, 7.35-11.6 mc & 11.5-18.2 mc).

Original selling price: $150
Number made: 7,200


MODEL 37-675X De Luxe

The De Luxe version of Model 37-675 used the Automatic Tuning mechanism.

Original selling price: $275
Number made: 1,500

Photo credit: Bill and Jacque Ward/Heartland Antiques


MODEL 37-690X

This was Philco's finest radio for the 1937 season and represented a new peak for the company's High Fidelity developments. The 37-690 used 20 tubes spread over two chassis and had a 14 inch woofer, two 6 inch tweeters and four 8 inch passive radiators. Of course it also used a variable bandwidth control for High Fidelity reception.

Its five tuning bands covered 530-1600 kc, 1.58-4.75 mc, 4.7-7.4 mc, 7.35-11.6 mc & 11.5-18.2 mc.

Original selling price: $375
Number made: 2,500

Photo credit: Frank Drost


MODEL 37-690X

This is how the 37-690 looks with its doors open and folded back.

Photo credit: Frank Drost


MODEL 37-2620B

The difference between Models 37-620 and 37-2620 was in the frequency coverage. Model 37-2620 covered longwave, AM and one shortwave band (5.7 to 18 mc). It used six tubes and operated on 115 volts AC (export models operated on either 115 or 230 volts AC).

Original selling price: $55
Number made: 50,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 37-620B, 37-623B & 37-624B)


MODEL 37-2620J

The console version of Model 37-2620.

Original selling price: $72.50
Number made: 62,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 37-611J, 37-620J, 37-623J & 37-624J)


MODEL 37-2650B

This new eight-tube Philco added a longwave band to its AM and two shortwave bands (5.7-11.6 & 11.5-18.2 mc). Domestic models operated on 115 volts AC; export models could operate on either 115 or 230 volts AC.

Original selling price: $85
Number made: 4,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Models 37-643B, 37-650B, 37-660B & 37-665B)


MODEL 37-2650X

Original selling price: $105
Number made: 69,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Model 37-650X)


MODEL 37-2670B

The 37-2670 was much like Model 37-670, but added longwave coverage (150 to 350 kc) while reducing the shortwave bands from four to three (1.6-4.8, 4.6-11.5 & 11.5-22 mc). Of course it also received the AM band. Like Philco's other 2600 models, domestic versions of the 37-2670 operated on 115 volts AC while export versions could run on either 115 or 230 volt AC. It used 11 tubes.

Original selling price: $99.50
Number made: 9,500 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Model 37-670B)


MODEL 37-2670X

Original selling price: $139.50
Number made: 11,000 (NOTE: Figure includes production of Model 37-670X)


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