The Arborphone model 27 is probably the most distinctive Arborphone model. It is one of the few models that had the model number printed somewhere on the cabinet. When I obtained my 27 the cabinet was in trouble. Someone stored a quart sized paint can on top of the radio. Paint had run down the sides of the can causing the can to be stuck to the top. Along with the can was paint soaked rag stuck next to the can. Fortunately the top is not veneer and I was able to clean the mess pretty well.
I completely disassembled the cabinet. It seems that only nails were used to fasten the cabinet together. Taking the cabinet completely apart made the sanding job easy. I reassembled the cabinet and applied many coats of tone lacquer ending with several coats of clear. The wooden part of the front panel was scratched up so I covered it with walnut veneer. I cleaned up the chassis and installed it back into the cabinet. The radio came with 01A globes and I re-installed those tubes. After fixing an intermittent volume control the radio played pretty well. I replaced the final audio frequency amplifier tube with a UX-112 tube to provide a bit more power for the speaker.
There were a couple of console versions using the Model 25 electronics. The Arborphone 271 and 272 were console offerings using the same electronics chassis as the table top 27 model.
I completely disassembled the cabinet. It seems that only nails were used to fasten the cabinet together. Taking the cabinet completely apart made the sanding job easy. I reassembled the cabinet and applied many coats of tone lacquer ending with several coats of clear. The wooden part of the front panel was scratched up so I covered it with walnut veneer. I cleaned up the chassis and installed it back into the cabinet. The radio came with 01A globes and I re-installed those tubes. After fixing an intermittent volume control the radio played pretty well. I replaced the final audio frequency amplifier tube with a UX-112 tube to provide a bit more power for the speaker.
There were a couple of console versions using the Model 25 electronics. The Arborphone 271 and 272 were console offerings using the same electronics chassis as the table top 27 model.
I have acquired a speaker table for this radio. It is the one that is shown on page three of the Arborphone 27 instruction manual. The speaker table is in the original finish.
When I acquired this table the Utah speaker driver had an open. This speaker drive has a threaded attachment to a “cone” of sorts. Above are two photos of the Utah speaker driver. The cover has a number of cuts that I can’t explain. I have looked at photos of other Utah speakers just like this and they have cuts as well.
Since I wanted a working speaker table for my Arborphone 27 I spent some time waiting for a speaker driver or something similar to come up on Ebay. I did not have to wait too long. I found a Nathanial Baldwin speaker driver that appeared to have the same threaded screw mounting as the Utah. I took a chance and bought it and it functioned and fit perfectly.
Since I wanted a working speaker table for my Arborphone 27 I spent some time waiting for a speaker driver or something similar to come up on Ebay. I did not have to wait too long. I found a Nathanial Baldwin speaker driver that appeared to have the same threaded screw mounting as the Utah. I took a chance and bought it and it functioned and fit perfectly.
The ad to the left was taken from the October 1926 issue of Broadcast Radio Magazine.
The Arborphone 27 is advertised to have a “Two” dial control. The reality is that the dial on the right is really two dials connected to two concentric shafts. It really is a 3 dial radio.
The Arborphone 27 is advertised to have a “Two” dial control. The reality is that the dial on the right is really two dials connected to two concentric shafts. It really is a 3 dial radio.
1st Interstage Audio Frequency Transformer Turns Ratio (primary:secondary) 1:6
2nd Intersage Audio Frequency Transformer Turns Ration (primary:secondary) 1:3
2nd Intersage Audio Frequency Transformer Turns Ration (primary:secondary) 1:3
