#1
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The Echophone model S-4 cathedral
This was a revised version of THE earliest cathedral produced by the company, the very similar model "C". That primitive "bread-board" style chassis set was manufactured in late 1929-early 1930 in Los Angeles. By mid-year manufacturing moved to Chicago and the set was made with a more conventional chassis and slightly revised cabinet with the model numbers S-3 and S-4. The next year the highly desirable repwood gothic grilled models were manufactured. Soon they were bought-out by Hallicrafters and their golden era was over.
This set had a rather poor cabinet refresh and I completely refinished it with a correct "toasted" edged look. It has a lit drum dial and only a volume control in front. The on/off toggle switch is oddly mounted on the back of the chassis and is factory correct. Pretty good 6-tube performance. It was nicknamed the "Bantam". |
#2
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Interesting history lesson. Would have never known Halicrafters bought them.
I think I recaped one for someone a few years ago.
__________________
Tom C. Zenith: The quality stays in EVEN after the name falls off! What I want. --> http://www.videokarma.org/showpost.p...62&postcount=4 |
#3
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Yes. I was surprised too. It seems Echophone was just another one those casualties of the early days of radio. I think they thought that by rushing a midget/compact set onto the market first would've netted them a fortune. Although the model C seemed to sell fairly well, within a year when the big manufacturers introduced their versions, the company took a nosedive. I believe first Western Television bought the company and moved production to Chicago. It seems that's when the last of the classic gothic Echophone's were manufactured. In about 1934 Hallicrafters bought-out the company and the sets produced into the post-war era were nondescript plain-Jane sets.
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#4
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Quote:
Also, it was at the beginning of the Depression and even more established firms didn't survive and they were absorbed by the larger firms. |
#5
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There's some companies that are very hard to follow because there was so much buying, selling, regrouping, and relocating. |
Audiokarma |
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