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Zenith "Zenette" Model 230 Tombstone Radio (1932/33)
handsome as the handsomest mantel clock.. performance not dreamed of a
brief time ago
brief time ago
The beautiful Zenette 230 tombstone radio was part of
Zenith's "all star" line for 1932/1933, introduced late in
1932 with a list price of $55.25 in the East. According to
"Zenith Radio, The Early Years 1919-1935" by Cones &
Bryant, the 230 was one of 40 distinct 200 series models
planned for release by Zenith between 1932 and 1934.
However, it appears that only 13 of them were ever man-
ufactured, and of those, the model 230 included, most
are rare finds today.
The model 230 continued the Zenette line of "lowest
price, quality radios" first introduced by Zenith in 1931.
The line was an attempt to extend the company's lower
marketing reach without compromising the "quality" end,
as the Great Depression began to bite. By the time of
the 230, however, use of the Zenette trademark was in
decline. For example although the escutcheon of the
model 230 still displays Zenette, ads for the 230 were
emblazoned with the Zenith rather than Zenette logo.
See my model L page for more information.
In their advertising, Zenith made much play of the 230
being one of the first sets to use the "new 7-prong No.
59 tube", a triple-grid power tube similar to the type 47.
In spite of their claims for it (see ad clippings below), the
tube was never widely adopted however.
The model 230 is an 8-tube ac superheterodyne recei-
ver covering the standard broadcast band from 540 to
1750 kcs. The tube line-up is 58 (RF amp), 58 (conver-
ter), 56 (LO), 58 (IF amp), 57 (2nd det), 57 (AVC), 59
(AF power tube, pentode connected) & 80 (rectifier).
The schematic is here, courtesy of NostagiaAir.
Frequency coverage of the 230 extends all the way to
1750kc, rather than to the 1500kc standard of the time.
According to Zenith advertising (bottom left), this was
done to accommodate a widening of the band, rumored
at the time to be under consideration by the Federal
Radio Commission.
Zenith's "all star" line for 1932/1933, introduced late in
1932 with a list price of $55.25 in the East. According to
"Zenith Radio, The Early Years 1919-1935" by Cones &
Bryant, the 230 was one of 40 distinct 200 series models
planned for release by Zenith between 1932 and 1934.
However, it appears that only 13 of them were ever man-
ufactured, and of those, the model 230 included, most
are rare finds today.
The model 230 continued the Zenette line of "lowest
price, quality radios" first introduced by Zenith in 1931.
The line was an attempt to extend the company's lower
marketing reach without compromising the "quality" end,
as the Great Depression began to bite. By the time of
the 230, however, use of the Zenette trademark was in
decline. For example although the escutcheon of the
model 230 still displays Zenette, ads for the 230 were
emblazoned with the Zenith rather than Zenette logo.
See my model L page for more information.
In their advertising, Zenith made much play of the 230
being one of the first sets to use the "new 7-prong No.
59 tube", a triple-grid power tube similar to the type 47.
In spite of their claims for it (see ad clippings below), the
tube was never widely adopted however.
The model 230 is an 8-tube ac superheterodyne recei-
ver covering the standard broadcast band from 540 to
1750 kcs. The tube line-up is 58 (RF amp), 58 (conver-
ter), 56 (LO), 58 (IF amp), 57 (2nd det), 57 (AVC), 59
(AF power tube, pentode connected) & 80 (rectifier).
The schematic is here, courtesy of NostagiaAir.
Frequency coverage of the 230 extends all the way to
1750kc, rather than to the 1500kc standard of the time.
According to Zenith advertising (bottom left), this was
done to accommodate a widening of the band, rumored
at the time to be under consideration by the Federal
Radio Commission.
| The first radio with the amazing new 7-prong tube! |
| "If you haven't already seen and heard it, the new 1933 "All Star" Zenith will be a revelation to you. Hundreds of radio fans have already visited our showrooms to see it. It's the first radio with the new 7-prong tube, the amazing new super-power tube that gives more volume - no distortion or hum - fine tone even at a whisper" |
Nov 3rd 1932, Iowa
ad clipping dated Nov 27th 1932 (see ad near left)
Dec 1932, Radio
retailing
retailing
Nov 27th 1932, NY