[Ron Ramirez]

Well, Arran, when these sets were new, all Philco cared about was getting the thing assembled. They were not concerned with the poor repairman who would have to work on these cheaply made sets down the road.

And yes, from 1939 (mid-1938 ) on, Philco's products became noticeably more cheaply made. Actually, I think the cheapening began in 1937 (mid-1936), with the introduction of those awful RF units; became more pronounced in the 1938 season; and definitely so from the 1939 season onward. It was in the 1939 season that these crappy golden yellow sockets first appeared. Plus rubber-covered wires, which I would guess were probably cheaper than the cloth-covered wires?

I am guessing the same was probably true of Electrohome. Once the bean counters take control, quality goes out the window.