[Arran]

I have a question about the two versions of a 116 B from 1936. (I guess it's really just a 116 B since the previous version was a 16 B?) In any event do they use a different size speaker in the later rectangular version verses the shouldered version? Does the shouldered version have inlay in the front panel?
Thanks
Regards
Arran

[Ron Ramirez]

Hi Arran

Here are a couple photos.

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/gallery/image...116bv1.jpg]
Early 116B

[Image: http://www.philcoradio.com/gallery/image...116bv2.jpg]
Late 116B

The early 116B (at least, the USA models) have that very soft black inlaid veneer on the front panel, creating vertical and horizontal "stripes" on the panel. I don't remember the proper name for that wood at present. Plus, it has veneer placed horizontally near the bottom of the control panel, behind the lower three knobs. There is another strip of matching horizontal veneer at the very bottom of the control panel. Note how it is toned dark on the cabinet above - this is how they looked from the factory. Some people forget to spray tinted lacquer on this strip when they refinish.

You can see in the late version how Philco used contrasting veneer just below the speaker grille, in the area of the escutcheon and knobs.

Yes, the late version 116B used an 8 inch speaker, rather than the 10-1/2 inch speaker used in the early, giant shouldered tombstone.