Another Unknown Pye

[AlanBeckett]

I could have sworn that I'd seen a similar title , and even a similar radio on this Forum, but I can't find it. So ......
I bought it a couple of weeks ago from the usual source. It's quite big - 20" w x 18" h x 9" d. The valve lineup is ECH35, EF39, EBL31 (heaters OK) and AZ31.
The chassis is painted pale blue. There's no data plate, nor is there any indication of type on the back, which I have. Stamped on the chassis is NFU1G24. On the top of the case is a very nice gold logo, which may mean that's it's (just) pre-war. It is of course push button - very battered - and there's a small knob missing. I can't say that I've seen any other small knobs like these, at least on post-war sets. There is one other peculiarity. If you look at the chassis picture there's a socket for quite a large bulb just to the left of the tuning gang.
So, any ideas?
Alan

[attachment=1499][attachment=1501][attachment=1500][attachment=1502][attachment=1503][attachment=1504]

[Paul_RK]

Hello Alan,

Well, the Trader's 1935-40 'Receiver Specifications and Prices' only lists one Pye short superhet with push-buttons, and that's the model P (not to be confused with the earlier P/AC or P/B): and ever so few push-button sets appeared just after the war, no Pyes that I can find. The P was a July '39 release and is listed as using ECH3, EF9, EBL1 and AZ1. I think though that for early wartime production several Pye models switched from side contact valves to their octal equivalents. I've only found a thumbnail image of the model P and it does look like your set. I'd guess that no new model number would have been issued and your set's a model P: whether the standard service info would cover the change of valve types or leave you to work its consequences out for yourself, I couldn't say...

Regards,
Paul

[AlanBeckett]

Paul,
Ah, so. That sounds very promising. It looks as though it could be a splendid set when it's been fettled.
I have the chassis from a 906 which has CT-8 valves.
There's nothing in M&P that early. Does anyone have any service data?
Alan

[AlanBeckett]

From the Radio Museum
http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/pye_unknown_2nd.html
That's it OK
Alan

[AlanBeckett]

Spoke too soon.
As Paul said there was a CT-8 version, which is what the Valve Museum version shows. There are also other minor variations around the speaker. Nevertheless, that's it.
If anyone has any info I'd be grateful.
Alan

[Jamie-Skinner]

Is it me or do all Pye's of this era look the same as Philips? Philips didn't own Pye in the 40's did they?

[Paul_RK]

No, that happened well into the 1960s. I suppose quite a lot of late 30s radios were starting to look much of a muchness, but Philips and Pye couldn't have been much more different inside. Pyes were usually pretty straightforward, Philips never did anything a simple way if they could find a complicated way to do it: and that's without their occasional bright ideas like making a mains radio without a chassis by attaching various parts all around the inside of the bakelite case

Paul

[Coherers]

Alan -I was using Google to find info on the earlier "Model P", and came across this thread of yours. Maybe a month too late, but are you still looking for service info? Because if you are I have the official Pye sheet for the ECH3/EF9/EBL1/AZ1 version knocking about somewhere.... Just a couple of sides- as were most of the Pye sheets from that era - but that might be better than nothing...

Regards,

Jeremy

[AlanBeckett]

Jeremy,
I fear that there's been no progress in the last month due to other commitments, so any information would be gratefully received.
I'll PM you my address etc or you could upload it to the Service Data Section.
Alan

[Skywave]

. . . Philips never did anything a simple way if they could find a complicated way to do it: and that's without their occasional bright ideas like making a mains radio without a chassis by attaching various parts all around the inside of the Bakelite case
Paul

Quite so. I'll tackle most valve radios as a repair / restoration - even complicated comms. radios - but not Philips' & Grundig's offerings     From those, I simply walk away . . . . to protect my sanity & my patience.
Anybody who has been there will know what I mean . . . . :@

Al.