The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I'm wondering if any of the members here, own a radiogram from the early to mid 1930's (RCA, Brunswick or anything), with an enclosed back, and if so, would it be possible to post a picture of the back panel?
All the px I've found online so far, show the front or sides, but I'm not having much luck finding views of the back of the cabinets.

I'm currently working on a radiogram made by Rexonola, but the back panel is missing, so I'd like make a replacement based on what was standard practice (or acceptable) at the time, with regards to ventilation holes/panels, cord & wire exit holes etc.

In Sept 1931, Rexonola expanded their acoustic gramophone line with "Rex" radios & radiograms, but by 1935 they had closed the doors.
Unfortunately, nobody out here seems to have ever seen any of Rexonolas radio models before, so I cant just copy someone elses, so I'm working blind.
In fact, even symatics for the chassis appear to be non-existant

My main concern is that I provide adequate ventilation, but I'm not sure if I should drill a series of holes, or cut out small sections backed with flywire or something similar, and I'm not sure what percentage of the back panel should be "aerated".
I'm also no sure about how the power cord, antena & earth wires exit the cabinet.
It's your basic rectangular box on 10" legs, but it has no bottom to the cabinet, so whether the wires just drop out the bottom, or pass through the back panel, I dont know.

Hi Shane,

None of my 30s electric machines (in particular HMV Radiogram model 721) have backs on them at all. I also have a 1940s Tecnico Aristocrat radiogram that has never had a back. My first radiogram with a back would be an early 1950s STC. The back on that is just a bit of wood with three slats cut into it for ventilation.

Here's a film of the 721 in operation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Btv_7znN_c

By the way, I love your Youtube films of the 202!

Regards, Glenn.

Sorry I don't have pics, the collection is in storage for a while yet. I have a Radiola 67 where the back panels are built as sturdy wooden frames with woven cane panels, yes---rather like the seat of a chair, only more open/coarse weave. Another upright has that same sturdy frame concept with stiff steel mesh (like hardware cloth) set into it. A couple of the Victrola/Radiola combos have nicely veneered backs with circular port-holes, filled with those distinctive round ventilator discs with neat holes, set into the port holes. But on the other hand---I have a RE-17 Radiola/Electrola that appears to never have had a back panel.

Kirkwood wrote:Sorry I don't have pics, the collection is in storage for a while yet. I have a Radiola 67 where the back panels are built as sturdy wooden frames with woven cane panels, yes---rather like the seat of a chair, only more open/coarse weave. Another upright has that same sturdy frame concept with stiff steel mesh (like hardware cloth) set into it. A couple of the Victrola/Radiola combos have nicely veneered backs with circular port-holes, filled with those distinctive round ventilator discs with neat holes, set into the port holes. But on the other hand---I have a RE-17 Radiola/Electrola that appears to never have had a back panel.

Wow, they sound like some fancy backs. Especially the one with woven cane...very posh
I guess it didn't take too many years before the companies realised that apart from being cheaper to make without a back, nobody really saw the back except the owner when they brought it home, or the serviceman.
This one is inserted just like a gramophone grille, with no screws to seccure it. I doubt Rexonola would have made anything too fancy being an el cheapo sort of company, so I might give the cane a miss lol.
I think a series of holes backed with mesh would have been more their style.
Im actually in the process of completely restoring my Aeolian push-up piano player, and I replaced the original mesh along the bottom with a finer grade of wire mesh, so it looks like I might have a use for the coarser wire after all.