Month: December 2015

Addison Addition

It started as just a case on eBay:

Years ago, I had a wooden Addison 5 “Courthouse”, but for some reason sold it when I got a Catalin version.  Later, I regretted selling it, because it’s truly a uniquely designed wooden radio.  So, when the above case was reasonably priced on eBay, I bought it.  Unfortunately, the refinish on it was awfully dark, and looked more like paint than wood stain.  Fortunately, expert Gary Marvin could bring out the beautiful wood.

While he was working on the case, I found a chassis, restrung the dial, replaced the missing dial pointer, replaced a tube, remounted the loose dial, and did a cleaning…all stuff that doesn’t take any real talent.

Here’s the finished radio:

Here’s the wooden Addison next to the Catalin version:

There are some differences.  The Catalin radio has a flat front, while on the wooden one, the front juts out a little.  Although both versions use the same model chassis, the wooden Addison is slightly larger, because the wood is thicker than the Catalin.

Bonus photo of the all-original Catalin Addison:

Wanted to show you some of the radios in Gary Marvin’s collection.  He mainly collects and restores consoles and large tombstone radios.  The following series of 6 photos will take you around one large room in his house…flowing from left to right.

Those of you who collect consoles and other wooden radios will have noticed some highly collectible models!

In another room you’ll find some really great tombstones!

Here are a few more consoles found in other rooms:

Gary & his wife, Vanessa, have many more radios throughout their home.  Gary designed a specially built area as part of their large garage where he refinishes and restores radios as a near full-time job.  At any time you might find 10 completed consoles covered protectively in his garage, several partially-finished in the work areas, and more of his beautifully restored radios in antique stores.

Gary can be reached at:  gmrestore123@gmail.com