By Ed Sharpe
A Scott 800B in a Chippendale cabinet has long been my favorite piece among everything in my collection. The story behind it spans years, miles and generations.
My Grandmother bought her Scott 800B Radio in a mahogany Chippendale cabinet brand new from a furniture store back in 1946. It was the center of attention in the sitting room of her Pasadena home and Beverly Hills home where the family would gather around to listen to radio programs. As the years passed by and her daughter moved out to a life of her own and her husband passed away, the radio remained one possession she cherished for its beauty and listening pleasure.
Finally the day came when she reached the age when the old house was too big and an apartment was the only answer. The radio moved with her and again a few years later. But then came the apartment that was too small and the old Scott, at about four feet high and just as wide, had to go.
I had often explored the back of the old Scott since my interest in electronics and radio pulled me like a magnet to anything of the likes. When she had to dispose of the Scott in 1967, she asked me if I would like to own it. I, of course, was elated and the old family Scott was soon settled into the bedroom of my parent’s Palos Verdes home. At the time I was fourteen or fifteen years old and an old Scott was quite an unusual possession for a teenager of that era. Most of my friends had stereos of the latest and greatest vintage. But I soon proved that my Scott 800B could crank just as loud and clear as anyone else’s equipment!
I can’t remember if it needed any work when I first got it. If so it couldn’t have been much or I’d have remembered. One thing I regret was that I pulled the old 78 only phonograph out and put a modern one in its place. I’d love to find an original replacement.
Back in 1946 the Scott 800B was about one of the nicest radios made. But even all through the late 60’s I enjoyed listening to all kinds of broadcasts on it. It has short wave, AM & FM, motor drive tuning, and variable selectivity for separating close together stations.
Then in 1970, I went into the Air Force. My parents were getting ready to retire and move to Northern California and didn’t want to move such a big old radio. So with deep regret I sold it for $30, to it fellow radio nut in Palos Verdes. He didn’t have room for it inside, so he put the chassis inside but left the cabinet in the garage. For the next eight years the cabinet was home for their family cat. As would be expected the inside suffered some damage.
After I had made myself a home in the Phoenix area, I went back and was able to trade 2 Atwater Kent Model 33s for my old Scott. It was back in the family again!
Added notes – Today’s mission is to find the correct changer, a Garrard, that was used with an 800B. Unfortunately I tossed the original in favor for a changer that played 33 LPs.
My 800B was set up for a wired remote control but my Grandmother lost it. I build one in a little metal box. It was lost along the way also. If someone has one they built let me know or even better a factory made one would be wonderful!
Stan Bunger’s Radio Report from France
Bonjour,Spotted this in an antique (well, more like JUNK) shop here in our adopted French hometown of Menton. Didn’t buy it, but there’s probably a story behind it!
Hope all’s well, Stan
