Italian Phonola 687 tube radio

[Kiwick]

I have just restored this nice Phonola 687 radio from about 1961
This model is very popular in Italy and has 4 bands: AM, FM, SW and VHF-TV

TV sound was a popular feature in low end radios back then as it allowed people who couldn't afford a TV set to listen to TV broadcasts.

While this is a small and relatively cheap radio, it has a tuning eye and the build quality is really good, in fact it still worked fine as found apart from a snapped dial cord, also the speaker has a generously sized alnico magnet and a large voice coil and sounds incredibly good with plenty of bass.

the blue Lesa tape recorder you see in the pic will be my next resto job!

[Sandy G]

Kewl ! Me likey-a LOT !

[Reece]

Looks very nice!

[PaulOF]

That is one nice looking radio!
Paul

[AUdubon5425]

Fine job!

[Kiwick]

I'm also nearly done with the restoration of a big impressive Magnadyne tabletop radio/phono, i have already replaced a few bad capacitors and the FM frontend tube, it's working fine now with an unbelievably powerful bassy sound but i still have some troubles with the coaxial volume-treble pot as there's old gunky grease between the shafts and so it's hard to rotate them indipendently

I'll also post some pics of this big beast once it's back together!