This very rare Wilcox-Gay console radio is an outstanding performer. It is an 11-tube, three-band radio sporting a green magic-eye tuning indicator. It has a big colorful 7-1/2” dial and 12-inch speaker. The cabinet, with its speaker louvers combined with the cabinets’ book-matched walnut is refinished with an smooth satin lacquer finish and toned ebony lacquer color trim. This radio has had a complete electronic restoration and has been retrofitted with a Bluetooth / MP3 input. The radio picks up stations with the simplest antenna and the wood cabinet gives everything you want to play a deep, rich sound.
History – Wilcox was just a little company in Charlotte, Michigan making radios and transcription recorders. They started out around 1910 manufacturing amateur radio components and kits. In 1926 they branched out into consumer radios. In 1931 Paul Gay joined the company forming Wilcox-Gay Corporation. In 1939 they launched the Recordio (a recording device), which sold well. It recorded 78 rpm transcriptions with decent fidelity. Musicians, including Les Paul and Johnny Cash, recorded on these machines.
The 6T11 console was first introduced in the fall of 1937 as part of Wilcox-Gays’ new models for 1938. Today, this attractive radio is sought after by collectors but almost never found in this condition. We acquired this one in early 2012 from a collector who had not restored it. The cabinet was in good shape but had the original finish. The chassis was working but needed a full restoration and upgrade.
Cabinet – The cabinet got a complete restoration, but a few historical flaws remain (see photo of the top) as reminders of its age. We stripped the original finish and toned the top edge, piping, and footer, and added grain filler. The entire cabinet was sealed with a flat satin lacquer. This made the original multi-colored veneers and book-matched walnut veneers pop. We added period correct grille cloth to accentuate the green dial and kept the original Bakelite control knobs. The result is this handsome looking radio that will last many, many years into the future.
Dial – For the most part the 7-1/2 inch glass dial was in good condition. The rest of it was disassembled, cleaned, lubricated, aligned, and reassembled. The cabinet dial glass was free and clear of any chips, breaks or cracks. The surrounding brass escutcheon was cleaned only enough to keep the original patina well into the future.
Chassis – We took extra steps and worked with the top expert at the California Historical Radio Society to ensure this radio produces no hum. We went through the entire underside of the chassis replacing all the capacitors, checking, and replacing resistors and wires where needed. It now plays very well across the dial and all bands even with the simplest of antennas. All tubes were checked and replaced where needed with NOS (new old stock) tubes – including the green tuning eye. We cleaned and lubricated the main tuning capacitor gears and concentric tuning mechanism and flywheel for smooth tuning. We added an auxiliary input and switch on the back and aligned the radio for clear reception.
Speaker – Even though it performed well, we had the all-original 12-inch speaker cleaned and reinforced. The result is clear audio across the entire audio frequency range. This radio produces exceptional bass tones for its size and the great sound will fill the room. See link to demo on YouTube below.
Bluetooth - Additionally, this radio has been fitted with our custom Bluetooth / MP3 adapter which allows you to switch between the radio or your smartphone or music device. Access your streaming audio service or the playlist on your smart device to provide classic tunes and bring the warm, bright, analogue sound to any music or recording you choose. The quality of the sound is excellent. You will have the best of “digital” and “analogue” combined.
Year of Manufacture: 1937/1938
Band Frequency Ranges:
AM Broadcast Band........500 – 1550 KHz
Police………………………….1550 – 5000 KHz
Foreign……….………...…….5.5 – 16 MHz
See the demo video here. If you cannot view, then copy and paste the link to browser: youtu.be/QqrNfYcJwKA
Dimensions: 24” W x 40” H x 14” D
Weight: 42 pounds
This radio is ready for purchase and local pick up in Redwood City, CA. Call Philip 650-703-7550 to see it in person.
History – Wilcox was just a little company in Charlotte, Michigan making radios and transcription recorders. They started out around 1910 manufacturing amateur radio components and kits. In 1926 they branched out into consumer radios. In 1931 Paul Gay joined the company forming Wilcox-Gay Corporation. In 1939 they launched the Recordio (a recording device), which sold well. It recorded 78 rpm transcriptions with decent fidelity. Musicians, including Les Paul and Johnny Cash, recorded on these machines.
The 6T11 console was first introduced in the fall of 1937 as part of Wilcox-Gays’ new models for 1938. Today, this attractive radio is sought after by collectors but almost never found in this condition. We acquired this one in early 2012 from a collector who had not restored it. The cabinet was in good shape but had the original finish. The chassis was working but needed a full restoration and upgrade.
Cabinet – The cabinet got a complete restoration, but a few historical flaws remain (see photo of the top) as reminders of its age. We stripped the original finish and toned the top edge, piping, and footer, and added grain filler. The entire cabinet was sealed with a flat satin lacquer. This made the original multi-colored veneers and book-matched walnut veneers pop. We added period correct grille cloth to accentuate the green dial and kept the original Bakelite control knobs. The result is this handsome looking radio that will last many, many years into the future.
Dial – For the most part the 7-1/2 inch glass dial was in good condition. The rest of it was disassembled, cleaned, lubricated, aligned, and reassembled. The cabinet dial glass was free and clear of any chips, breaks or cracks. The surrounding brass escutcheon was cleaned only enough to keep the original patina well into the future.
Chassis – We took extra steps and worked with the top expert at the California Historical Radio Society to ensure this radio produces no hum. We went through the entire underside of the chassis replacing all the capacitors, checking, and replacing resistors and wires where needed. It now plays very well across the dial and all bands even with the simplest of antennas. All tubes were checked and replaced where needed with NOS (new old stock) tubes – including the green tuning eye. We cleaned and lubricated the main tuning capacitor gears and concentric tuning mechanism and flywheel for smooth tuning. We added an auxiliary input and switch on the back and aligned the radio for clear reception.
Speaker – Even though it performed well, we had the all-original 12-inch speaker cleaned and reinforced. The result is clear audio across the entire audio frequency range. This radio produces exceptional bass tones for its size and the great sound will fill the room. See link to demo on YouTube below.
Bluetooth - Additionally, this radio has been fitted with our custom Bluetooth / MP3 adapter which allows you to switch between the radio or your smartphone or music device. Access your streaming audio service or the playlist on your smart device to provide classic tunes and bring the warm, bright, analogue sound to any music or recording you choose. The quality of the sound is excellent. You will have the best of “digital” and “analogue” combined.
Year of Manufacture: 1937/1938
Band Frequency Ranges:
AM Broadcast Band........500 – 1550 KHz
Police………………………….1550 – 5000 KHz
Foreign……….………...…….5.5 – 16 MHz
See the demo video here. If you cannot view, then copy and paste the link to browser: youtu.be/QqrNfYcJwKA
Dimensions: 24” W x 40” H x 14” D
Weight: 42 pounds
This radio is ready for purchase and local pick up in Redwood City, CA. Call Philip 650-703-7550 to see it in person.