Posted 4 years ago
reegslee
(1 item)
I recently purchased this Philo Radio Console from a resale store, but I’m having trouble with trying to figure out what model it would be. The reason I need to know is because I need to purchase a new needle for the turntable. If anyone can kindly help identify what model this would be, it would be very much appreciated. I got this for an absolute steal and would love to just enjoy my vinyls on it
Looks like a Pan-American. But yours has extra panels.
This one would have been made when Ford purchased Philco and became Philco-Ford
That would have been 1963. The Pan-American I was referring to is a 69 model which looks almost identical to this console. So that's somewhere close to get you started.
I purchased what I think is the exact same console. I am also struggling to find the replacement cartridge. Did you have any luck? I did identify that the turntable is a Philco c300 model.
Hi, torim. :-)
If the turntable is indeed a Philco C300, this ebay vendor has a good photo of a cross-reference chart in a PHILCO Models C100 C200 C300 Q1 Q2 Q3 Record Changer - 1966 Service Manual:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/313545951931
The various phono models of the Philco C300 all take the same cartridge and needle (I transcribed and reformatted an excerpt here):
PHONO MODEL: Q1781, Q1783, Q1785, Q1791
RECORD CHANGER: C300
CARTRIDGE & NEEDLE: 35-2877-1
NEEDLE: 325-8330DS
Now, what that translates to in a modern cartridge and needle, I dunno, but this guy might (He has a Pan-American console, and he uses Tetrad):
The Pan-American Stereo Console by Philco
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9kGPqLtRH4
You might want to drop him an email:
midcenturystereo at gmail dot com
While I'm at it, the Google patents from the back of the console (my transcription might not have been perfect, and I'm running out of time at the moment):
https://patents.google.com/patent/US2897353
https://patents.google.com/patent/US2967979
https://patents.google.com/patent/US3130374
https://patents.google.com/patent/US3169506
https://patents.google.com/patent/US3206550
https://patents.google.com/patent/US3222580
https://patents.google.com/patent/US3280260
https://patents.google.com/patent/US3290601
https://patents.google.com/patent/US3309464
https://patents.google.com/patent/US3309617
A'ight, I took another look at this.
Philco Pan-American consoles seem like hen's teeth, and I suspect that the 1969 model dav2no1 found three years ago was the same one in that YouTube video I linked the other day.
The YouTube guy has two videos about that console, and in the second one, he linked his etsy listing for more information:
"Pan-American II" by Philco, Stereo Console
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0NNlLQ79OQ
https://www.etsy.com/listing/672698550/the-pan-american-by-philco-serviced
However, even though he gives some specs at the etsy listing, he still doesn't explicitly name the replacement cartridge model number for it, other than it's a Tetrad brand one.
He does cite the voiceofmusic dot com website as a parts source:
https://www.thevoiceofmusic.com/catalog/part_overview.asp
I myself didn't find that site very helpful, possibly because I don't have a Philco Pan-American console, or the old phonograph cartridge in my hand for easy reference.
I found this site more helpful:
*snip*
I have a 1969 Philco floor model stereo that belonged to my mother. It is in mint condition, just needed a new cartridge/needle. I found turntableneedle.com through an online search. They have everything. I wasn't quite sure what cartridge/needle I needed but the photo parts catalogue made it so easy.
*snip*
https://www.turntableneedles.com/71D-71S-81S-81D-Type-Needle-S-856-for-Tetrad-Cartridge-Pickups-etc_p_1691.html
I did find one more Pan-Amerian-ish Philco console described as being of 1966 vintage with a very similar-looking cabinet, except that the radio and turntable are accessed from the front rather than the top:
1966 Philco-Ford solid state stereo console
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2sYVoDrLMQ
The variations in the Philco Pan-American cabinetry might be either an evolution, or an option.
I'm leaning towards evolution. Tall people or people with bad backs (I suspect those two things tend to go together) would probably prefer the top access model.
The 'rule' of patents says that the Philco Pan-American console in this post can't be any older than the newest patent stamped on the back of the cabinet, and that one is dated March 14, 1967.
OK, I think I'm done beating this to death. };-)