Thanks for the heads-up on the open coil issue. If I do need to rewind any, I have a nice big spool of vintage enameled wire that might be the right gauge.
I was a little disappointed by the speaker too.
Philco made a bunch of sets from 31-35 with this basic lowboy cabinet shape like
this sweet 91L.
Now, I have a good idea of just how nice this cabinet can look when refinished.