08-19-2011, 12:15 PM
Yes, it can still be done; all it takes is someone willing to enter the repro cloth business.
There is an outfit in Holland which currently sells reproduction grille cloth. They sell mainly Philips cloth, but I noticed one Zenith pattern among their offerings:
http://www.bendijkman.nl/index.php?optio...53&lang=en
Dave, I feel that the cloth is going to have to remain at around the same price it is now for any future venture to be successful. Start raising prices in this economy and most collectors, save perhaps for the well-heeled, will go back to looking for generic gold cloth in fabric stores.
An outfit like Radio Daze might have the financial strength to contract with a manufacturer so that cloth can continue to be available to us. The question is, are they willing to continue to supply authentic-looking cloth as John did, or will they simply foist something "close enough" upon us like those ugly Philco decals?
This is where all of you are going to have to make your voices heard. Contact them now and let them know that you want the same quality cloth which John supplied us with for several years.
And while you're ordering cloth from John, I would suggest you let him know how much you have appreciated his services. I included a personal thank-you when I made my order (which arrived today, by the way). I am sure John would appreciate it.
Edit: I am really sorry to hear that John O is leaving the business once he sells out of cloth. "Due to his age"? H**l, he's not much older than I am.
There is an outfit in Holland which currently sells reproduction grille cloth. They sell mainly Philips cloth, but I noticed one Zenith pattern among their offerings:
http://www.bendijkman.nl/index.php?optio...53&lang=en
Dave, I feel that the cloth is going to have to remain at around the same price it is now for any future venture to be successful. Start raising prices in this economy and most collectors, save perhaps for the well-heeled, will go back to looking for generic gold cloth in fabric stores.
An outfit like Radio Daze might have the financial strength to contract with a manufacturer so that cloth can continue to be available to us. The question is, are they willing to continue to supply authentic-looking cloth as John did, or will they simply foist something "close enough" upon us like those ugly Philco decals?
This is where all of you are going to have to make your voices heard. Contact them now and let them know that you want the same quality cloth which John supplied us with for several years.
And while you're ordering cloth from John, I would suggest you let him know how much you have appreciated his services. I included a personal thank-you when I made my order (which arrived today, by the way). I am sure John would appreciate it.
Edit: I am really sorry to hear that John O is leaving the business once he sells out of cloth. "Due to his age"? H**l, he's not much older than I am.
--
Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN
