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Sparton Model 517-B (517B) Tombstone Radio (1936/1937)
Sparton offers unusual finishes. As sleekly black as a raven's wing...
The daringly bold Sparton model 517-B, in ebony and
chrome, was promoted by Sparks-Withington as being
"as sleekly black as a raven's wing", befitting words
indeed for such a spectacular radio as this. It is for sure
one of the rarest and most interesting of the mid-to-late
1930s "cube" style table sets, and as such is highly
coveted in radio collecting circles today.
The -B was one of three model 517 variants, differing
only in available finish, introduced by Sparks-Withington
in June of 1936 for the 1937 model year. The other two
were the standard walnut model 517 and the white-
painted 517-W. Of the three, the 517-B is the only one
embellished with chrome stripes, a feature that in my
opinion sets it quite apart from most other cube radios
of the day. The standard model was offered at $29.95
and the ebony and white versions at $32.95.
The 517-B is a 5-tube two band AC-powered receiver
with tube line-up:- 6A7 (mixer/LO), 78 (IF amp), 75 (2nd
det/1st-AF/AVC), 42 (AF output) and 80 (rectifier).
Frequency coverage is 540-1720kc (standard broad-
cast) and 5900-17,500kc (shortwave). The chassis
used is of the same type as for the model 557 sled. The
schematic is available here, courtesy of NostalgiaAir.
See chassis view here.
chrome, was promoted by Sparks-Withington as being
"as sleekly black as a raven's wing", befitting words
indeed for such a spectacular radio as this. It is for sure
one of the rarest and most interesting of the mid-to-late
1930s "cube" style table sets, and as such is highly
coveted in radio collecting circles today.
The -B was one of three model 517 variants, differing
only in available finish, introduced by Sparks-Withington
in June of 1936 for the 1937 model year. The other two
were the standard walnut model 517 and the white-
painted 517-W. Of the three, the 517-B is the only one
embellished with chrome stripes, a feature that in my
opinion sets it quite apart from most other cube radios
of the day. The standard model was offered at $29.95
and the ebony and white versions at $32.95.
The 517-B is a 5-tube two band AC-powered receiver
with tube line-up:- 6A7 (mixer/LO), 78 (IF amp), 75 (2nd
det/1st-AF/AVC), 42 (AF output) and 80 (rectifier).
Frequency coverage is 540-1720kc (standard broad-
cast) and 5900-17,500kc (shortwave). The chassis
used is of the same type as for the model 557 sled. The
schematic is available here, courtesy of NostalgiaAir.
See chassis view here.
| "As sleekly black as a raven's wing, this distinctive and unusually effective model, whose ebony finish is given that different touch with chrome stripes, is powered by the same scientific chassis found in the model 517. Height 121/2", Width 131/2", Depth 9". |
| "Smartly tapered with moulded shoulders, this trim five-tube two-band model with [walnut] roll-back instrument panel has wide appeal. It offers extraordinary radio performance - 110Volt 60cycle - features Foreign and American Broadcast with extended band to include police, airplane, commercial and amateur. So made that the speaker sends out its volume from the top. Has separate transformers matching the aerial to the bands" |
..from Sparton advertsing for the model 517
..from Sparton advertsing for the
model 517-B
model 517-B
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