This exceedingly rare Fairbanks-Morse model 72-T-3 is a collector’s dream. From the cabinet to the dial, to the chassis, everything about this radio is high quality and industrial strength. This radio has a console chassis that has been made into a tabletop side-speaker radio. This model first appeared in the fall of 1937 and sold for USD $55. It continued to be offered through the spring and summer of 1938.
Today this handsome radio is sought after by collectors but seldom found. We acquired this radio in early 2020 from a collector who had partially restored it. However, after all these years the cabinet and some of the chassis were showing their age and the seller regretfully parted with it.
Company – Fairbanks, Morse and Company was an American manufacturing company founded in the late 19th century. They started as a weighing scale manufacturer, but later diversified into pumps, engines, windmills, coffee grinders, radios, farm tractors, feed mills, locomotives, and industrial supplies. The company used the trade name Fairbanks-Morse. In 1934, they entered the radio business by acquiring the Audiola Radio Company. Fairbanks-Morse radios were well known for their colorful displays and superb hand-crafted walnut wood cabinets. After a factory fire in 1939 at their Indiana plant Fairbanks-Morse decided to exit the radio business in the U.S. but continued producing in Canada.
Cabinet – The cabinet restoration took some time but as you can see it was well worth it. After stripping we replaced the top/ front walnut veneer. We then toned the side piping and footer in ebony and sealed the entire cabinet with a semi-gloss lacquer. We also added a period-correct reproduction grille cloth. We retained the original control knobs. The result is this handsome looking radio that will last many, many years into the future.
Dial – The very colorful 6-1/2" dial displaying all the station frequencies is quite an impressive sight - especially in a dim or dark room. The dial exhibits the broadcast scale and numerous “bands” for reference. Each band lights up corresponding to the band you select. The letters and number are very legible because the faceplate is brand new reproduction. The cabinet dial outer shell is plastic and free & clear of any chips, breaks or cracks. The surrounding brass escutcheon has not been touched so it keeps is soft patina and antique look in the future.
Chassis - This is a top-of-the-line high grade seven-tube chassis and it is a fantastic player! We went through the entire underside of the chassis replacing all the capacitors, checking, and replacing resistors and wires where needed. We added an antenna terminal strip on the back and aligned the radio. 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 extremely sensitive Magic Eye green tube. The dial cord is brand new and we lubricated the gears and flywheel for smooth tuning operation. A new antique looking power cord and internal fuse was installed for electrical safety.
Speaker – Even though it performed well, we had the 8-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.
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. Note this radio does not come with an external add-on adapter. Instead, the adapter components were installed inside the chassis.
Year of Manufacture: 1937/1938
Band Frequency Ranges:
BC Band......................540 – 1750 kHz
Police Band.................2.35 – 7.7 MHz
SW Band.....................7.5 – 23 MHz
Dimensions: 24.5 x 40 x 12.75 inches
Weight: 23 pounds
Local Pickup or Shipping to CONTINENTAL U.S. only. No P.O. Boxes
Shipping Risk - If you want it shipped, I will carefully bubble wrap, double box it, and send it FedEx Ground. However, be advised that sometimes tubes can come loose, and minor damage can occur when shipping old radios. So, the shipment is FOB Origin - meaning you assume the risk when choosing this option.
**NO INTERNATIONAL PURCHASES OR SHIPMENTS**
Today this handsome radio is sought after by collectors but seldom found. We acquired this radio in early 2020 from a collector who had partially restored it. However, after all these years the cabinet and some of the chassis were showing their age and the seller regretfully parted with it.
Company – Fairbanks, Morse and Company was an American manufacturing company founded in the late 19th century. They started as a weighing scale manufacturer, but later diversified into pumps, engines, windmills, coffee grinders, radios, farm tractors, feed mills, locomotives, and industrial supplies. The company used the trade name Fairbanks-Morse. In 1934, they entered the radio business by acquiring the Audiola Radio Company. Fairbanks-Morse radios were well known for their colorful displays and superb hand-crafted walnut wood cabinets. After a factory fire in 1939 at their Indiana plant Fairbanks-Morse decided to exit the radio business in the U.S. but continued producing in Canada.
Cabinet – The cabinet restoration took some time but as you can see it was well worth it. After stripping we replaced the top/ front walnut veneer. We then toned the side piping and footer in ebony and sealed the entire cabinet with a semi-gloss lacquer. We also added a period-correct reproduction grille cloth. We retained the original control knobs. The result is this handsome looking radio that will last many, many years into the future.
Dial – The very colorful 6-1/2" dial displaying all the station frequencies is quite an impressive sight - especially in a dim or dark room. The dial exhibits the broadcast scale and numerous “bands” for reference. Each band lights up corresponding to the band you select. The letters and number are very legible because the faceplate is brand new reproduction. The cabinet dial outer shell is plastic and free & clear of any chips, breaks or cracks. The surrounding brass escutcheon has not been touched so it keeps is soft patina and antique look in the future.
Chassis - This is a top-of-the-line high grade seven-tube chassis and it is a fantastic player! We went through the entire underside of the chassis replacing all the capacitors, checking, and replacing resistors and wires where needed. We added an antenna terminal strip on the back and aligned the radio. 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 extremely sensitive Magic Eye green tube. The dial cord is brand new and we lubricated the gears and flywheel for smooth tuning operation. A new antique looking power cord and internal fuse was installed for electrical safety.
Speaker – Even though it performed well, we had the 8-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.
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. Note this radio does not come with an external add-on adapter. Instead, the adapter components were installed inside the chassis.
Year of Manufacture: 1937/1938
Band Frequency Ranges:
BC Band......................540 – 1750 kHz
Police Band.................2.35 – 7.7 MHz
SW Band.....................7.5 – 23 MHz
Dimensions: 24.5 x 40 x 12.75 inches
Weight: 23 pounds
Local Pickup or Shipping to CONTINENTAL U.S. only. No P.O. Boxes
Shipping Risk - If you want it shipped, I will carefully bubble wrap, double box it, and send it FedEx Ground. However, be advised that sometimes tubes can come loose, and minor damage can occur when shipping old radios. So, the shipment is FOB Origin - meaning you assume the risk when choosing this option.
**NO INTERNATIONAL PURCHASES OR SHIPMENTS**