Retro MP3 stereo #1
My original idea was to make a simple box to carry an MP3 player, its charger, and a couple of speakers for it. I prefer speakers for my MP3 player over earbuds so I can hear what’s going on with our kids. Old computer speakers are useful for this project and can be found in many stores. Thrift stores and yard sales might have them also. I recently bought a new cheap set that stated they were 50 watts but the sound isn’t any better than the 16 watt set I have in this case. A computer store would have a larger selection of better quality speakers, but they will cost you a bit more. Just remember, “You get what you pay for.”
I started thinking the case would look better if it looked like an old radio. The materials list was as follows: 3/16 inch copper wire, brass nails, 1/2 inch plywood, black cloth for the upper speaker cover, some old computer speakers found in the garage, and some walnut to trim out the case.
While I was making this case it occurred to me that radios have gone from good looking center pieces in the home to plastic cases and lengths of wire that we try to hide. Stereo consoles used to house all of the things you needed for musical entertainment. Your records, and later your 8 tracks, and cassettes could all be housed in them. As sound systems became bigger, separate components became the norm. Now you could change out your record player, tuner, 8 track or cassette player separately if you needed them fixed or upgraded. Separate speakers and amplifiers were also useful this way.
The separate component systems were a great idea, but we lost something when all of this happened. Technology improvements always have a way of leaving something out of the equation. The nostalgia factor should not be underestimated. It’s the same reason people love the look of old cars. This is something the car manufacturers are suddenly understanding. If you can make a new car that looks like a very popular old car, right down to parts of the interior, and have all of the new car perks, you will have an instant winner.
I think this new case brings together the old and the new very nicely. It has the great cathedral lines of an old Philco radio, and some of the dark woods used in them, and the MP3 digital technology of our day with modern speakers that can be replaced or upgraded as needed.
This Philco in my shop inspired me. These radios were built solid, and this is good because the innards make it pretty heavy. This one has lots of veneered plywood, and the thinner pieces on the front are splitting and showing their age. I wish I new how old it really is.
I am not sure what the hole at the top of the back of the case was for, but I am pretty sure it was too heavy to hang up on anything by that. The tubes would have gotten too hot against the wall to operate anyway. Maybe it was just to let more of the heat out or possibly just to help move it around.
We did check E-Bay to see if this Philco was worth anything, and found that there are many, many of them out there still, and most of the owners have them working! Buying new tubes for it would cost more than you could get out of selling it, but you can get parts for them. Modern stereos are probably filling the landfills because they are cheaper to replace than they are to work on. The first thing our Philco would need is the cover for this scary looking plug. For now it sits gathering dust. A remnant of a time when a radio was meant to look good and perform for a lifetime.
July 17th, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Was this one from Placerville? How cool that you still have it!